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HomeCommunityCro NPL Wrap: Adelaide Croatia goes down in Federation Cup final

Cro NPL Wrap: Adelaide Croatia goes down in Federation Cup final

Adelaide Croatia Raiders’ run to the Federation Cup Final was spoiled by the red-hot MetroStars, who prevailed 3-1 on the night.

Reaching the Cup Final for the first time in over 20 years and last lifting the trophy in 2003, the Raiders will be forced to put aside the heartbreaking defeat with the Australia Cup Round of 32 fixture with Cooks Hill United and a relegation scrap in NPL SA on their hands.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Knights were held to a draw with relegation looming, both Cro Capital clubs recorded losses, and Glenorchy Knights were blown away in a first-half performance to forget.

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: Rescheduled Fixture

Melbourne Knights 3 (Inia 3′, Bramwell 32′, Semmy 62′)

Oakleigh Cannons 3 (Hampson 5′, Sinclair 20′, Kasumovic 73′)

With the threat of relegation lingering week by week, Melbourne Knights had the opportunity to gain some important ground in their hunt for survival in a catch-up fixture against Oakleigh Cannons.

It didn’t take long for the scoring to commence, with the Knights taking the lead at Tompsett Stadium in the 3rd minute.

Ciaran Bramwell’s pressing from the front earned him the ball in a dangerous position, allowing him to pass to mid-season signing Ata Inia, who was aided by a deflection to score his first goal for the club.

However, celebrations didn’t last long as left-back Connor Hampson unleashed a long-range effort that found its way into the back of the net in the 5th minute.

After equalising, Hampson sent in a dangerous cross into the box that was met by Kingsley Sinclair, whose header couldn’t be kept out by Gabriel Matti.

Just past the half-hour mark, Knights would bring the score back level after Ciaran Bramwell would finish off an excellent counter-attacking move, scoring in his fourth consecutive game and taking his tally to nine league goals.

After the break, it would be the Knights to reclaim the lead in the 62nd minute after another counter-attacking move.

Led initially by Tommy Semmy, the speedy winger would pounce on the loose ball to score his first goal of the season, continuing to make a big impact since rejoining the club.

While Semmy’s goal gave the Knights a glimmer of hope that they would go on to win the game, the Cannons persisted for a result.

Following a short free-kick routine on the left wing, Asad Kasumovic found enough space to riffle a shot into the near-post bottom corner, stunning the hosts with a goal that came from seemingly nowhere.

The scoreline would remain at 3-3, both sides coming away with a point each in an excellent contest.

While the positives were plentiful for John Markovski’s side against one of the league’s top sides, the draw ultimately appears to be not enough in the fight for survival.

Remaining at the bottom of the NPLM Victoria ladder, Knights are seven points adrift from 11th-placed Altona Magic with just five rounds left to be played.

The next fixture will certainly be a big test for Melbourne Knights, facing 5th-placed Preston Lions away from home on Friday, July 18.

NPL New South Wales: Round 23

Sydney United 58 0

Wollongong Wolves 0

Making their return to Edensor Park following three consecutive losses in NPL NSW, Sydney United 58 had an important Sunday fixture against Wollongong Wolves.

Despite sitting 6th on the ladder, Sydney United are the lowest scoring team among the league’s top 12 teams, struggling to find consistent goals.

It was more of the same against Wollongong, failing to score in a 0-0 draw, while conceding more shots on target than the visitors.

Although ending their losing streak is certainly a positive to be taken, United 58 would’ve certainly preferred to have come away with the extra two points, with their position within the top six continuing to slip.

Taking on 4th-placed APIA Leichhardt away from home on Sunday, July 20, Ante Jurić’s side will need a big result in Round 24.

NPL Queensland: Round 17

Gold Coast Knights 0

Peninsula Power 0

Recording a third-straight loss midweek to Brisbane Roar Youth, the announcement of Scott McDonald’s decision to step down as Gold Coast Knights’ head coach was certainly a surprise before they clashed with Peninsula Power.

Returning to the Gold Coast Croatia Sports Centre with David Abela stepping in for McDonald, the Knights had an ideal start after Peninsula had a player sent off in the 6th minute.

While Knights pushed throughout the game, holding the vast majority of possession and creating plenty of chances, they simply could not break the deadlock.

Coming away with a point, the Knights remain 7th on the NPL Queensland ladder, needing a turnaround in results as soon as possible, with finals football up for grabs.

The games remain to come thick and fast for the Knights, facing 4th-placed Eastern Suburbs midweek in a crucial fixture before looking to enact revenge against Brisbane Roar Youth on Saturday, July 19.

Football South Australia: Federation Cup Final

North Eastern MetroStars 3 (Visser 33′, Woodfin 35′, Windsor 76′)

Adelaide Croatia Raiders 1 (Uwineza 45′)

Progressing through to the Football SA Federation Cup Final against all odds, Adelaide Croatia Raiders had the ability to lift their cup title since 2003.

Despite the vast difference in their ladder positions in the league this season, the Raiders certainly felt they could shock the MetroStars.

However, it would be the MetroStars to start strong at ServiceFM Stadium, taking the lead in the 33rd minute after a stunning goal from Thomas Visser.

On cloud nine, the MetroStars would double their lead just two minutes later thanks to a clinical finish from Cameron Woodfin.

Falling 2-0 down in the space of a few minutes, the Raiders needed to regroup and work their way back into the game.

Winning a free-kick on the brink of halftime, 18-year-old Philimen Uwineza stepped up to the dead ball and produced a remarkable dipping strike to get one back for the Raiders.

Celebrating with some acrobatics, Uwineza’s goal certainly provided his side with the perfect response heading into the second half.

While Croatia came out strong with momentum on their side, the MetroStars proved their class and managed the game well.

Slowly regaining control over the game, Owen Windsor provided the killer blow to the Raiders’ hopes in the 76th minute, pouncing on a fortuitous deflection to restore the MetroStars’ two-goal lead.

Attempting to claw back the game with not much time to spare, the valiant efforts of the Raiders was unfortunately not enough, falling to an excellent MetroStars side.

Although a disappointing outcome, the journey of the Raiders to progress through to the final was admirable and will hopefully inspire their fight for NPL SA survival.

Needing to bounce back, Adelaide Croatia return to league action for an important clash with Adelaide Comets on Saturday, July 19.

NPL Capital Football: Round 14

Canberra Croatia FC 0

Monaro Panthers 2 (McLaren 47′, Mynott Smith 56′)

Comfortably beating 2nd-placed Tigers FC 4-0 in Round 13, Canberra Croatia had the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Capital NPL ladder against 3rd-placed Monaro Panthers.

Hosting Monaro on a chilly Saturday night at Deakin Stadium, tensions were high early into the clash, with challenges and cards flying about.

This was at its peak in the 21st minute, with stand-in coach Andy Rakić sent off following protests for a potential handball by Monaro’s goalkeeper.

Remaining 0-0 at the break, Croatia were stunned early in the second half.

Weaving around players on the edge of the penalty area before releasing the ball and darting to the near post, a slick finish from Zac McLaren put Monaro in front in the 47th minute.

Taking the lead over Croatia, the visitors grabbed a second goal not long after.

Failing to adequately deal with Monaro’s corner delivery, the ball fell to former O’Connor Knights youngster Connor Mynott Smith just outside the box, who rifled his strike into the back of the net.

Seeking to respond, Croatia made all five of their substitutions between the 63rd and 77th minute mark, notably including Englishman Thomas James.

Despite Croatia’s best efforts, Monaro successfully dealt with the building pressure on their defensive end and came away with all three points.

Not only did Croatia fail to overcome the two-goal deficit, but they also failed to score a single goal in the entire game; the first time that has happened in the league since May 2024, against none other than Monaro.

Suffering their second defeat in the space of three games, Croatia’s strong start to the 2025 campaign has taken a momentary hit.

However, with head coach Dean Ugrinić set to return from his commitments with the Docceroos, Croatia will certainly believe they can return to their firing form.

Facing Tuggeranong United next on Sunday, July 20, recording a win will be the priority for Canberra, with the Croatian Derby and their Australia Cup Round of 32 fixture to follow.

O’Connor Knights 1 (Ihegie 68′)

Gungahlin United 5 (D’Addario 14′, Kimura 28′, Robertson 35′, 82′ Maluulu 70′)

Taking on the red-hot Gungahlin United amid a rough spell of form, the O’Connor Knights suffered a fourth-straight defeat in NPL ACT’s Round 14.

Struggling against Gungahlin in the past two seasons, it was more of the same for the Knights on Sunday.

Despite Niko Krešić almost opening the scoring in the 7th minute after rounding the goalkeeper, Gungahlin would earn a penalty just six minutes later after Daniel Galić brought down Thomas Robertson in the box.

Giancarlo D’Addario made no mistakes from the spot kick, giving his side the lead after 14 minutes.

Two more would come for Gungahlin in quick succession, with Ayumu Kimura catching goalkeeper Markus Smith off guard and Thomas Robertson scoring from a header.

Three goals down at the break, a remarkable comeback was needed by the struggling Knights.

Although the in-form Aisosa Ihegie pounced on a poor punch from Gungahlin’s goalkeeper to score in his fourth consecutive game, a quick reply from the visitors killed any hopes O’Connor may have had.

Thomas Robertson would make it 5-1 and score his brace in the 81st minute with a cross-come-shot, taking O’Connor’s goal conceded tally to 43 goals in 13 games (eight more than any other team in the league).

Outplayed on home soil once again, the Knights’ hopes for a fourth consecutive season playing finals football appear all but shot.

Tallying just 10 points to date, O’Connor will hope to gain some late-season momentum as they prepare to face rock-bottom Yoogali SC next on Saturday, July 19.

NPL Western Australia: Round 16

Western Knights 0

Olympic Kingsway 4 (Hobson 63′, 65′, 67′, Hewings 85′)

Dealt a 3-0 loss by the undefeated Bayswater City in Round 15, a return to home soil against 2nd-placed Olympic Kingsway was a tough but possible game to inspire a late top-four push for Western Knights.

It certainly started promisingly after Jesse Lazzaro rattled the woodwork from distance in the 12th minute, while the visitors also hit the post from a header on the half-hour mark.

Both sides tugging for the opener, it would be Kingsway to break the deadlock after a long-ball caused the Knights issues at the back, with Joe Hobson pouncing for an easy finish.

It did not end there for Hobson, who claimed his hat-trick within the space of four minutes, becoming NPL WA‘s record holder for the fastest three-goal haul.

Blown away in the blink of an eye, Luke Hewings scored a fourth for Olympic Kingsway in the 85th minute.

While the Knights matched well with their opponents for the vast majority of the game, it was the individual moments that separated the two sides on the day.

The tough games remain for the Knights, next facing 3rd-placed Perth Glory Youth on Saturday, July 19.

NPL Tasmania: Round 13

Glenorchy Knights 1 (Hatcher 89′)

Launceston City 6 (Taylor 12′, 23′, Swaby 26′, 56′, Rawlings 27′, Berlese 45+2′)

Back at KGV Park in Round 13, Glenorchy Knights were keen to get their revenge on Launceston City after a 5-1 defeat earlier this season.

However, Glenorchy’s struggles continued into Saturday’s clash, played off the park in a horror first half.

With acres of space, Thierry Swaby threaded through Angus Taylor for the opener in the 12th minute.

Taylor notched his brace 11 minutes later, and Swaby joined in on the scoring to make it 3-0 in the 26th minute.

Straight after kick-off, City would regain the ball and attack right away, scoring a fourth thanks to a simple tap-in from Maxx Rawlings.

Although Glenorchy managed to weather the storm briefly, the visitors made it five after a fortunate deflection saw the ball trickle past the goalkeeper.

Well and truly dominated in the first 45′, Swaby would score his second in the 56th minute after an excellent run into the box.

Although the Knights did improve in the second half, controlling more possession and firing more shots on goal than City, it was too little, too late.

Michael Hatcher netted a consolation goal for the hosts in the 89th minute, rounding off what was overall a largely disappointing night for Glenorchy.

Remaining 5th on the NPL Tasmania ladder, the Knights will hope to record their first win since May when they face the struggling Launceston United on Saturday, July 19.

Check out how all your favourite Croatian teams are performing on just one page here.

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