Sydney United 58 have continued to balance both league and cup commitments exceptionally well, recording a seventh straight win in all competitions on the weekend.
Strengthening their position in NPL NSW‘s top six while progressing through to the Waratah Cup Final, the big games are coming thick and fast for Ante Jurić’s flying side.
Elsewhere, relegation-threatened Melbourne Knights and St Albans Dinamo both came away with draws, and both Cro Capital clubs were victorious.
Vjesnik’s Jake Holub wraps up the weekend’s NPL action for Croatian clubs across the country, reviewing the notable results and previewing what’s next to come.
NPL Victoria: Round 18
Dandenong City Hajduk 0
Green Gully 0
Knocked out of the Dockerty Cup after a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to South Melbourne mid-week, Dandenong City Hajduk were required to rebound quickly on Friday night.
Hosting Green Gully at Frank Holohan Reserve, heroics from both goalkeepers took the headlines.
Just before the half-time break, Hajduk’s shot-stopper Pierce Clark denied Aamir Abdallah from the spot and went on to keep his fourth clean sheet of the season.
On the other end, Dandy City forced eight saves out of Liam Driscoll, who ultimately kept the hosts scoreless.
As such, Nick Tolios’ men remain seventh in the NPLM Victoria, trailing four points behind the top six.
Winless in their last four outings, a home fixture against Altona Magic will certainly be a must-win in the pursuit of finals football on Friday, June 20.
Port Melbourne Sharks 2 (Pharoe 44′, Brown 90+3′)
Melbourne Knights 2 (Maker (O.G) 32′, Sheppard 80′)
In a bottom-of-the-table clash, Melbourne Knights needed to add some points to their tally against the Port Melbourne Sharks.
It started favourably for the Knights just past the half-hour mark after a Steve Whyte corner delivery was turned in for an own-goal by Maker Maker.
Despite the hosts equalising late in the first half, Kaine Sheppard’s thundering volley saw Knights regain the lead in the 80th minute.
However, a last-minute equaliser for the Sharks meant that both sides ultimately shared a point, not overly helpful in the pursuit of survival in Victoria’s top flight.
While John Markovski’s side was able to put an end to an eight-game losing streak, the Knights remain five points clear of survival with just nine rounds remaining.
Avondale FC 2 (Cuba 11′, Edwards 75′)
St Albans Dinamo 2 (Dragičević 16′, Divin 90′)
After Melbourne Victory’s surprising win over Oakleigh Cannons the previous night, St Albans Dinamo needed a big result against the dominant Avondale FC at Avengers Park.
Both sides traded a goal each within the opening 16 minutes, with Dinamo doing well to hang in the contest with Avondale.
Despite the heroics of Marko Bulić in net, who kept an impressive eight saves, Avondale took the lead with a quarter of an hour left thanks to Daniel Edwards’ goal.
Claiming a late draw last week against South Melbourne, history was repeated after substitute Josh Divin’s opportunistic equaliser in the 90th minute ensured Dinamo snatched a point on the road.
While St Albans has now fallen into the bottom three, they will hope to take their momentum back to Churchill Reserve next week against Oakleigh on Friday, June 20.
NPL New South Wales: Round 19
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Sydney United 58 3 (De Oliveira 48′, Wells 53′, Jennings 78′)
Winning nine out of their previous 10 games in all competitions, the in-form Sydney United 58 were eager to keep their momentum going with an away fixture against the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Fresh off a win over SD Raiders FC mid-week in the Waratah Cup semifinal, it took time for United 58 to work their way into the game.
Conceding a penalty kick prior to the half-hour mark, 20-year-old goalkeeper Josip Orlović denied Awan Lual with a low-diving save.
Fortunate to stay level after the first 45′, Ante Jurić’s men came out hungry and refreshed following the break.
Carlos De Oliveira struck early on, converting a short corner routine to a tee.
Shortly later, youngster Mason Wells scored yet another goal after a trademark cut-in and finish from the right wing.
Leroy Jennings added a third to his side’s tally in the 78th minute, aided by a deflection to well-and-truly seal the win.
Jumping a spot ahead to fifth on the NPL NSW ladder, Sydney United continue to balance both league and cup responsibilities.
With the opportunity to win their eighth Waratah Cup when they play the Northern Tigers on July 2, United 58 will aim to take it game by game with Central Coast Mariners up next on Sunday, June 22.
NPL Queensland: Round 14
St. George Willawong 2 (Gjorgiev 42′, Janković 61′)
Gold Coast Knights 2 (Walters 72′, 79′)
After returning to winning ways against the Wynnum Wolves in Round 13 of NPL Queensland action, an away fixture to newly-promoted St. George Willawong was the task on hand this week for the Gold Coast Knights.
However, the Knights found themselves two goals down after an hour, stunned by the underdogs.
Scott McDonald’s men did not give up, pushing for a much-needed result in their push for the league’s top spot.
An excellent run and ball played across by former Brisbane Roar midfielder Rahmat Akbari found striker Marquez Walters for a simple finish in the 72nd minute, giving the Knights a lifeline.
It was their top scorer who popped up again not long after, pouncing on a parried shot to equalise for his side.
A 2-2 draw was the final result on the day, a disappointing but important result for the Knights considering the circumstances.
The Gold Coast Knights remain fourth in the league with games in hand over the top three, but must convert these fixtures into wins.
While facing Rochedale Rovers for the opportunity to reach the Australia Cup Round of 32 midweek, the Knights will host Brisbane City on Saturday, June 21.
NPL South Australia: Round 14
Adelaide Croatia Raiders 0
North Eastern MetroStars 2 (Woodfin 35′, D’Angelo 59′)
Facing the league leaders of NPL SA, the chances of Adelaide Croatia Raiders pulling off a miracle result were hampered in the first two minutes.
Young goalkeeper Vincent Barbaro saw red after handling the ball outside of the box, reducing the Raiders to 10 with the whole game left to play.
Goals in both halves for the MetroStars proved the difference, keeping the Raiders on the floor of the table and winless in their last nine league outings.
Vlado Blažeka’s side will at least have the opportunity to progress through to the national stage in the Australia Cup mid-week against FK Beograd, before taking on West Torrens Birkala in Round 15 on Saturday, June 21.
NPL Capital Football: Round 9
Tigers FC 1 (Ahmed-Shaibu 90′)
O’Connor Knights 2 (Ceruti 41′, 43′)
Returning to action after an embarrassing 9-1 loss in the Croatian Derby, the O’Connor Knights put together an excellent result against Tigers FC.
Despite losing star-striker Lukamn Ahmed-Shaibu to their opponents in the mid-season window, who scored a consolation goal for his new side, a quickfire double from youngster Jenno Ceruti was enough to secure a win for the Knights.
Taking all three points, O’Connor will next anticipate a clash with second-placed Monaro Panthers on Saturday, June 21.
Yoogali SC 1 (Seo 80′)
Canberra Croatia 3 (Jadrić 18, Keir 24′, Colbertaldo 55′)
Topping Monaro Panthers 3-2 in a mid-week fixture fresh off lifting the Federation Cup, it was a quick turnaround for Canberra Croatia with a big trip across to Yoogali.
Young winger Marko Jadrić opened the scoring after 20 minutes, while experienced defensive midfielder Ryan Keir doubled Croatia’s lead shortly after.
Daniel Colbertaldo kept up his top form by firing his side into a 3-0 lead 10 minutes into the second half, which was more than enough to see out all three points.
Leading NPL ACT by a whopping eight points after just 10 games played, the pursuit of the Premiership and Australian Championship qualification remains on the cards as Canberra Croatia takes on Queanbeyan City on Saturday, June 21.
NPL Western Australia: Round 12
Perth Redstar 2 (Leeming 8′, Nsegetse 27′)
Western Knights 0
Beginning to put together a strong run of results in NPL WA after a 4-2 win over Floreat Athena, Western Knights’ undefeated streak was sadly put to an end by Perth Redstar.
Copping two early first-half goals, Western Knights were unable to find a way through the hosts despite forcing veteran goalkeeper Liam Reddy into five saves.
On the bright side, the Knights’ positive run of form comfortably sees the side above the relegation zone following Round 12.
A test against ninth-placed Balcatta is next up for the Western Knights on Saturday, June 21.
NPL Tasmania: Round 10
Glenorchy Knights 1 (Dillon 66′)
Devonport Strikers 1 (D’Agostino 45+2′)
Hosting the Devonport Strikers after a thumping loss at the hands of South Hobart in Round 9, the Glenorchy Knights needed a positive turnaround.
Despite holding the majority of possession, the Knights recorded just six shots on goal compared to their opponents’ 15.
Dylan D’Agostino opened the scoring for the visitors on the brink of half-time, but top-scorer Riley Dillon ensured Glenorchy came away with a point after netting his sixth league goal in the 66th minute.
The Knights remain in third place in NPL Tasmania‘s ladder, facing Kingborough Lions next on Saturday, June 21.
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