St Albans Dinamo blew away the relegation-bound Melbourne Knights with a four-goal second-half performance, coming out on top in the Croatian Derby.
Undefeated in their last six games, Dinamo have risen out of the NPLM Victoria relegation battle with some excellent results, while Knights remain at the bottom of the ladder with little hope remaining for their top-flight survival.
Meanwhile, Dandy City Hajduk claim a late draw in their pursuit of finals football, Adelaide Croatia Raiders snatch a win at the death in a relegation six-pointer, and Canberra Croatia return to their winning ways.
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 21
Dandenong City Hajduk 3 (Cuba 29′, Athiu 85′, Sewell 90+2′)
South Melbourne 3 (Mikkola 15′, Nagamatsu 27′, Halfpenny 45+2′)
Hosting South Melbourne at Frank Holohan Reserve, Dandenong City Hajduk had the potential to jump into NPL Victoria’s top six.
However, the in-form South started hot and took an early two-goal lead thanks to goals from Max Mikkola and Ren Nagamatsu.
Shortly after conceding the second, Diego Cuba scored a stunning free-kick from distance, a big response from the hosts.
Despite Cuba’s screamer igniting the home side, it would be the visitors to add a third to their tally after converting from a corner delivery.
Trailing 3-1, Dandy City had to be patient to find their response against a deep-sitting South Melbourne.
Hitting their opponents on a quick counter-attack, Kenny Athiu slotted home his ninth goal of the season in the 85th minute.
Back in the contest, Dandy City pushed with all they had for a crucial equaliser.
They would find the leveller in the 92nd minute after Kenny Athiu headed down the ball for a stunning volley hit straight into the back of the net by Corey Sewell.
While securing all three points on the night would’ve seen Hajduk jump into the top six, claiming at least a point could be crucial in the long run with such a tight contest for the finals series.
But, it won’t get easier for Dandy City as they take on 2nd-placed Avondale FC at Avenger Park next on July 19.
St Albans Dinamo 4 (Monek 48′, Byrns 62′, Dragičević 68′, Ruzvidzo 87′)
Melbourne Knights 2 (Arok (O.G) 35′, Bramwell 85′)
Facing off in the Croatian Derby to potentially decide who will stay up in Victoria’s top flight this season, Churchill Reserve was pumping for a massive Round 21 clash between St Albans Dinamo and Melbourne Knights.
The first 45 was quite tightly contested, with both sides looking to get their feet into the game.
However, a quick burst down the right wing by Masatou Chiba forced Gideon Arok at the back post to turn in an own goal, providing Knights with the lead in the 35th minute.
While Dinamo had recorded more shots at goal at halftime, they ultimately had nothing to show for their efforts.
Returning from the break, Dinamo came back hungry right away.
Three minutes into the second half, a thunderbolt from long range by Joseph Colina forced Gabriel Matti into a save, but the parry fell to Joey Monek for a simple finish.
Bringing the score back level, Dinamo now had the belief they could go on and win the game.
A counter-attack saw Joey Monek play a ball across the Knights’ penalty area, with the speedy Lucas Byrns arriving at the back post to bundle the ball past the goalline.
Recording his seventh goal of the season, Byrns became Dinamo’s top scorer in a real breakout season on the left wing.
A third would follow shortly after for the hosts after an excellent driving run and finish by youngster Oliver Dragičević, netting his second goal of the campaign.
Knights would have the hope that they could snatch a crucial point after Ciaran Bramwell pounced on a loose backpass to make the score 3-2.
But, mid-season signing Shaun Ruzvidzo scored the dagger just two minutes later to send the Dinamo faithful into raptures.
Securing the 4-2 win, St Albans have jumped to 9th in the league and eight points clear of the drop zone, while Knights remain on the floor of the table, eight points adrift of 11th-placed Altona Magic with just one game in hand.
St Albans will have the opportunity to just about confirm their survival in NPLM Victoria when they take on the relegation-threatened Melbourne Victory Youth at Churchill Reserve on July 20.
Meanwhile, Melbourne Knights will play their catch-up fixture in the weekend off against Oakleigh Cannons at Tompsett Stadium on Friday, July 11, a do-or-die fixture for John Markovski’s men.
NPL New South Wales: Round 22
Marconi Stallions 2 (Jesić 23′, Trew 90′)
Sydney United 58 0
Defeating Northern Tigers on their way to lifting their eighth Waratah Cup title mid-week, facing the league-leading Marconi Stallions on the weekend was always going to be a tough ask for Sydney United 58.
Despite the efforts of Ante Jurić’s side, an early opening from experienced Marconi striker Marko Jesić had United 58 chasing from behind for the remainder of the game.
While United did well to deny the hosts of many clear chances throughout the game, they simply couldn’t find the equaliser they were hoping for.
A second was added to Marconi’s tally in the 90th minute by substitute Jake Trew, relegating United to their third straight loss in NPL NSW.
However, United do still remain in the top six, four points clear of 7th-placed Sydney Olympic, albeit with an extra game played.
Returning to Edensor Park with the need to return to winning ways in the league, Sydney United 58 will take on Wollongong Wolves on Sunday, July 13.
NPL Queensland: Round 16
Olympic FC 2 (Lucas 10′, 32′)
Gold Coast Knights 0
Coming off a disappointing loss to Peninsula Power, Gold Coast Knights were in for an important game against fellow NPL Queensland finals-contending side, Olympic FC.
Without mid-season signing Zander Guy after seeing red in the first half against Peninsula, a poor first half by the Knights ultimately killed their hopes.
An early brace from Chris Lucas had Scott McDonald’s side two goals down just past the half-hour mark; disappointing but still with plenty of time to respond.
However, the Knights’ scoring inconsistencies appeared once again, failing to hit the back of the net for a second-straight game, despite scoring a combined nine goals in the previous two games.
Beaten by Olympic, the Knights have now fallen to 7th in the league with the third-worst goal-scoring tally.
However, it isn’t all doom and gloom with a number of games in hand for Gold Coast Knights to play, including a mid-week clash against the struggling Brisbane Roar Youth on Wednesday, July 9, before hosting Peninsula Power on Saturday, July 12.
NPL South Australia: Round 17
Adelaide Croatia Raiders 2 (Matikulas 88′, Niyonkuru 90+2′)
Modbury Jets 1 (Ditroia 82′)
Taking on the Modbury Jets in a potential relegation six-pointer, coming away with the win at the Croatian Sports Centre was a must for Adelaide Croatia Raiders.
The first 45 was quiet for both sides, although the Raiders fired four shots at goal to their opponents’ one, but the action certainly picked up in the second half.
With both sides needing crucial points in their fight for NPL SA survival, it was only inevitable for the goals to arrive.
After the Raiders missed a good chance in the 81st minute, it would be the visitors to pounce and score an unlikely goal one minute later.
Falling a goal behind, it was dangerous territory for the hosts needing to overturn the deficit.
But, belief certainly didn’t wane with the home support rallying behind their troops as time progressively ticked by.
In the 88th minute, Isaac Matikulas was alert at the back post to react to a loose ball and fire it into the back of the net, immediately running to grab the ball and push for the winner; an excellent show of intent.
With the momentum in their favour, the winner would come dramatically after a quick counter-attacking move.
Holding the ball up on the left wing, Matikulas slipped through a delicate ball for the speedy Donatien Niyonkuru, who made no mistakes with his finish past the goalkeeper in the second minute of additional time.
The crowd had erupted, celebrating an inspirational comeback that has kept their top-flight hopes well and truly alive.
Snatching the win at the death, the Raiders leapfrog Modbury to 11th place on the table and are now just one point away from Para Hills Knights in 10th.
Celebrating a win for the third time in their last four outings, form is building for the Raiders with five rounds remaining in the league and upcoming commitments in the cup.
However, Adelaide Croatia Raiders will need to take it one game at a time and focus on the Federation Cup Final next against MetroStars on Saturday, July 12.
NPL Capital Football: Round 13
O’Connor Knights 2 (Ihegie 24′, Galić 71′)
Tuggeranong United 3 (Peterkin 32′, Lawrence 51′, Nealon 64′)
Suffering two consecutive defeats with their hopes of finals football slipping, O’Connor Knights needed a positive result back on home soil against Tuggeranong United.
While it did start positively following Aisosa Ihegie’s opener, scoring in his third straight game, it didn’t take long for the visitors to hit back and equalise.
Bringing the score back level before the halftime break, it was Tuggeranong to continue the momentum into the second 45.
They would take the lead five minutes after a restart through fortunate circumstances and score a third in the 64th minute from the spot.
Daniel Galić did bring one back and provide hope for the Knights with roughly 20 minutes remaining, but it simply would not be enough as the hosts fell short in the end.
It was O’Connor’s fifth defeat in their last seven games, sinking them down to 7th on the Capital NPL ladder.
The Knights will need a big turnaround in form to jump into the top four, currently seven points adrift with a game in hand.
However, they will be tasked with the in-form Gungahlin United next on Sunday, July 13.
Canberra Croatia FC 4 (Pratežina 20, 45+3′, Subasić 68′, James 78′)
Tigers FC 0
Stunned dramatically last week in a nine-goal thriller with Gungahlin United, Canberra Croatia needed to bounce back in a massive clash against 2nd-placed Tigers FC.
Falling short to the Tigers earlier this season away from home, it was a must-win for Croatia in the return fixture at Deakin Stadium.
In the wet conditions, a smart ball over to the top for Thomas James allowed the Englishman to centre the ball to young gun Nick Pratežina, who tapped home the opener in the 20th minute.
On the brink of half-time, it would be Pratežina to score again, lofting the ball over the keeper and into the side netting from the edge of the box.
It was the perfect finish to the half by Croatia, looking simply unbeatable.
They would have to be patient to find their third, waiting until the 68th minute for Daniel Subasić’s header.
Capping off the top performance with a fourth, Thomas James scored a goal of his own with a slick backheel in the 78th minute.
Holding onto the 4-0 win, Croatia managed to extend their lead over the Tigers to nine points, well and truly in the driver’s seat with eight rounds remaining.
Scoring a brace, 20-year-old Nick Pratežina jumped to the top of the league’s scoring charts with a highly impressive 11 goals scored, along with 8 assists.
Meanwhile, the magician Thomas James continues to run away on top of the assist charts with 13, also now reaching the 10-goal mark.
Next in their pursuit of the ACT Premiership and subsequent Australian Championship qualification will be 3rd-placed Monaro Panthers on Saturday, July 12; a good fixture to prepare ahead of their Australia Cup Round of 32 clash with MetroStars later this month.
NPL Western Australia: Round 15
Bayswater City 3 (Teece 12′, 90+1′, Jackson 20′)
Western Knights 0
Preparing for their toughest fixture of the season, Western Knights had the task of facing undefeated league leaders Bayswater City away from home.
Needing to start strong for any hopes of success, two consecutive goals for the hosts in the opening 20 minutes largely killed off the Knights early on.
Despite the Knights controlling the majority of possession against the hosts, who were happy to largely sit back, they struggled to create clear chances against a side that has conceded just eight goals in the league.
A third was added in the 91st minute by Cameron Teece to score his brace, providing his side the win and the Knights just their second loss in their last nine league matches.
While they couldn’t perform an upset result, the Knights will be glad to still be sitting comfortably above NPL WA‘s drop zone with seven rounds of action remaining.
Outdone by the league leaders, Western Knights will host 2nd-placed Olympic Kingsway next on Saturday, July 12.
Check out how all your favourite Croatian teams are performing on just one page here.
