Western Knights returned to winning ways in stunning fashion, putting together a five-star performance over NPL WA finals contenders, Perth Glory.
Led by a hat-trick from key player Kosta Sparta, the Knights blew the Glory away in a 5-1 win that all but secures their survival in Western Australia’s top flight for a second consecutive season.
Elsewhere, St Albans Dinamo cruise into the mid table while Melbourne Knights’ relegation seems all but destined in Victoria, Sydney United 58 and Gold Coast Knights come away with draws on the road, and Canberra Croatia smash in seven with a Croatian Derby and Australia Cup clash on the horizon.
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 22
Preston Lions 3 (Luke 31′, 60′, Anderson 72′)
Melbourne Knights 0
With survival hopes slimming week by week, a deflating 3-0 defeat to Preston Lions has all but relegated Melbourne Knights from Victoria’s top flight.
Knights fell behind to Preston just past the half-hour mark at Genis Steel Stadium after Francis Luke opened the scoring.
A mistake at the back allowed Luke to score his brace in the 60th minute, while defender Aaron Anderson added a third later in the half to well and truly sink the Knights.
It went from bad to worse for John Markovski’s side in the 88th minute when mid-season signing Nathan Hancock was sent off for a reckless challenge.
Remaining at the bottom of the NPLM Victoria ladder and seven points adrift of survival, an away fixture against third-placed Dandenong Thunder on Saturday, July 26, has the potential to confirm Melbourne Knights’ relegation.
Avondale FC 1 (Ahmed 61′)
Dandenong City Hajduk 1 (Cesnik 87′)
Returning to action for a tough clash against title-contending Avondale FC at Avenger Park, Dandenong City Hajduk managed to claim yet another draw in a five-game unbeaten streak.
While the hosts were glad to finally break the deadlock just past the hour mark, thanks to an excellent finish from Yusuf Ahmed, Dandy City showed their resiliency and pulled off yet another late comeback.
Despite Avondale controlling nearly two-thirds of possession and creating the majority of chances, a clutch equalising goal from Vali Cesnik ensured that Nick Tolios’ men would come away with a crucial point.
As sixth-placed Hume City recorded a loss in Round 22, Dandy City have bridged the gap to just one point from finals football.
Hajduk will host fourth-placed Oakleigh Cannons next at Frank Holohan Reserve in a crucial match on Friday night, July 25.
St Albans Dinamo 3 (Dragičević 31′, Divin 43′, Ruzvidzo 87′)
Melbourne Victory Youth 1 (Bozinovski 83′)
On an excellent run of form, St Albans Dinamo managed to all but confirm their place in NPLM Victoria next season with a 3-1 win over Melbourne Victory.
Taking on the Young Vucks at Churchill Reserve, 17-year-old wonderkid Oliver Dragičević kicked off the scoring with a stunning curling effort into the top left corner.
Recording a goal and an assist in his last outing vs. Melbourne Knights, Dragičević’s performances have continually improved over the season in the centre of the park for Dinamo.
Striker Josh Divin added a second just prior to the break for Cameron Watson’s men, a perfect start for St Albans.
Although Damien Bozinovski’s headed goal was certainly nervy with the momentum potentially swinging back to the visitors, a goal from super-sub Shaun Ruzvidzo in the 87th minute sealed all three points for Dinamo.
Jumping 11 points ahead of 12th-placed Victory with just four rounds remaining, St Albans’ four-game winning streak has helped them steer clear of the tight relegation battle and cruise into mid-table.
While the push for the top-six does appear unlikely, a big result over Green Gully on Friday, July 25, could spark a late-season finals charge, with Dinamo playing at home in the final three rounds.
NPL New South Wales: Round 24
APIA Leichhardt 2 (Jordan 66′, Ortiz 67′)
Sydney United 58 2 (De Oliveira 31′, Ballard-McBride 46′)
Facing APIA Leichhardt at Lambert Park, Sydney United 58 certainly weren’t far from coming away with all three points against the NPL NSW title contenders.
United 58 hit the lead in the 31st minute through a well-worked counter-attacking goal finished off by Carlos De Oliveira, ending his side’s three-game scoreless streak in the league.
In the ascendancy at the break, Ante Jurić’s men had competed well in a tight first half.
Returning for the second 45′, United came out hungry and pounced on an early chance emphatically.
Played through on goal after making a smart run in-behind APIA’s defensive line, mid-season signing Finn Ballard-McBride opened his scoring account for United 58 within the first minute of kick-off.
Now two goals ahead with essentially a whole half to play, the pressure of the hosts ultimately overcame United 58.
After Rory Jordan scored APIA’s first goal in the 66th minute, a second followed just one minute later by Presley Ortiz.
With momentum completely flipping in the space of minutes, United 58 needed to settle back into the game and keep the league’s tied top-scoring side at bay.
They successfully did so in the end, holding out for an important draw in a tough away game.
While the nature of the result does feel disappointing, dropped points by Sydney Olympic in seventh meant that the draw ultimately solidified United 58’s position in the top six.
Sydney United 58 will need to recover and prepare quickly for a significant week ahead; first taking on Northern Tigers in the Australia Cup at Leichhardt Oval on Wednesday, July 23, before facing fourth-placed Rockdale Ilinden back in the league on Sunday, July 27.
NPL Queensland: Round 18
Brisbane Roar Youth 1 (Durrington 18′)
Gold Coast Knights 1 (Kaneko 89′)
Returning to winning ways with an emphatic 3-1 win midweek over Eastern Suburbs, a trip to Meakin Park almost proved fatal for Gold Coast Knights.
Adapting to life with new head coach David Abela after the sudden exit of Scott McDonald, the Knights fell behind just 18 minutes in after an excellent volley by Brisbane Roar youngster James Durrington.
It was ultimately a poor first-half showing from Gold Coast, failing to register a shot on target and largely outplayed by the Roar Youth.
The half-time introduction of Taisei Kaneko represented a positive change at the break by Abela, with the Knights quickly gaining control over the action.
A dangerous whipped free-kick delivery by Bradden Inman saw Roar shot-stopper George Plusnin take out a Knights player in the penalty area, receiving his second yellow card and conceding a spot kick.
Stepping up to the spot, Marquez Walters was unable to convert past Roar’s substitute goalkeeper Tyson Rusden.
While the Knights continued to push and forced Rusden into a total of four saves in the space of 24 minutes, it was beginning to appear it simply wasn’t going to be their day yet again.
However, an excellent first-time finish by Taisei Kaneko provided his side with the much-needed equaliser, scoring his second goal of the season.
While Knights will certainly feel they could’ve and ultimately should’ve come away with more, the point will certainly be taken with the top-four hunt firing up.
Currently sitting two points behind rivals Gold Coast United in fourth with five league games remaining, the Knights’ next home fixture against Olympic FC will be a must-win on Friday night, July 25.
NPL South Australia: Round 18
Adelaide Comets 2 (Thompson (O.G) 32′, Lobasso 64′)
Adelaide Croatia Raiders 1 (Thompson 16′)
Returning to NPL SA action after a heartbreaking defeat to MetroStars in the Federation Cup Final, Adelaide Croatia Raiders were up against Adelaide Comets in Round 18.
It started as well as you could imagine for the Raiders, hitting the lead in the 16th minute thanks to an excellent headed finish by midfielder Rhys Thompson.
However, an unfortunate own goal by Thompson in the 32nd minute certainly sank the Raiders’ mood, with the score back to level.
Returning from the break, it would be the hosts to score again, thanks to a well-placed header by Jayden Lobasso.
Despite chances created by the Raiders, a response back could not be found in a tough-to-take 2-1 loss.
Due to a win by 12th-placed Modbury Jets, Adelaide Croatia have fallen to the bottom place of the ladder with a vital finish of the season to come.
While they prepare to host Cooks Hill United in their first national appearance in the Australia Cup on Wednesday, July 23, Adelaide Croatia will also face second-placed Croydon Kings in the league on Saturday, July 26.
NPL Capital Football: Round 15
Tuggeranong United 1 (Foxall 57′)
Canberra Croatia FC 7 (Sparrow 8′, Green 9′, 51′, 74′, Keir 13′, James 66′, 88′)
Aiming to bounce back following a disappointing loss to Monaro last weekend, Tuggeranong United were the unfortunate victims of another Canberra Croatia thrashing.
The first came in the eighth minute through Daniel Sparrow, and another came almost immediately after kick-off, thanks to a calm finish by Maxx Green.
In scoring flow, the third would arrive in the 12th minute from a set-piece finished off by Ryan Keir.
Although the hosts managed to keep Croatia scoreless for the remainder of the half, the goals would quickly return in the second 45.
Maxx Green arrived in the box for his second goal in the 51st minute, with Thomas James providing his third assist already.
While Bevan Foxall netted a well-taken goal to provide Tuggeranong with the belief that more could come, it simply did not come to fruition for the hosts.
Thomas James added his name to the goal list in the 67th minute, and provided an assist for Maxx Green’s hat-trick sealing goal just seven minutes later.
It was a special moment for Green, with the 21-year-old attacker netting his second hat-trick this season upon returning to the Capital.
James netted his brace in the 88th minute to make it 7-1, finishing the game with a mind-boggling two goals and four assists.
Dominating possession and recording a whopping 29 shots at goal, Croatia certainly put in a top performance with the Croatian Derby ahead.
Taking on the struggling O’Connor Knights on Saturday, July 26, Canberra Croatia will look to keep the goals flowing after thumping O’Connor 9-1 back in May.
O’Connor Knights 0
Yoogali SC 2 (I. Donadel 51′, S. Donadel 68′)
Stuck in an awful rut of form, O’Connor Knights’ losing streak was extended to five games with a defeat to bottom-placed Yoogali SC.
Despite the home ground advantage over Yoogali, the Knights failed to start firmly and only managed a single shot at goal in the first half.
Allowing the visitors to grow into the game, Isaac Donadel opened the scoring for his side in the 51st minute in brilliant fashion.
Failing to clear the ball in the box, Stefan Donadel scored in his second consecutive game to make it 2-0 for Yoogali.
That would ultimately be the final score, with the Knights finishing with just three shots at goal in the entire 90 minutes.
It was a disappointing result and performance from the Knights, who appear well and truly out of finals contention with the Croatian Derby next on Saturday, July 26.
NPL Western Australia: Round 17
Perth Glory Youth 1 (Sollitt 8′)
Western Knights 5 (O’Brien 58′, Sprigg 70′, Sparta 15′, 82′, 86′)
Recording two straight defeats to NPL WA’s top two sides, an away fixture against third-placed Perth Glory certainly appeared as yet another challenge for Western Knights.
While it started largely as expected, with the Glory Youth taking the lead, an opportunistic goal from Kosta Sparta provided hope for the Knights in the 15th minute.
Both sides failed to score for the remainder of the half, but a great finish from Harry O’Brien took the Knights ahead in the 58th minute.
Turning the game around, the goals began to flow for the visitors, with Luke Sprigg smashing home a third after a free-kick delivery into the box caused the Glory issues in the 70th minute.
Kosta Sparta killed off the game with a further two goals in the space of four minutes, remarkably sealing his hat-trick with a long-range effort.
It was a truly special day out for the Knights, stunning one of the top sides in the league with a five-star performance.
Returning to home soil next weekend, Western Knights will host Perth SC on Saturday, July 26.
NPL Tasmania: Round 14
Glenorchy Knights 3 (Walpole 40′, Brkić 74′, 90+1′)
Launceston United 0
Winless in five, including four defeats, Glenorchy Knights were in need of a rebound with the struggling Launceston United next on the cards.
Particularly struggling for goals in recent weeks, the opener came from Thomas Walpole in the 40th minute, sweeping home a low cross into the box.
Controlling play well, the Knights pushed hard for more, with the fear that one may not be enough to come away with the win.
Driving the ball from deep, defender Mathew Brkić scored the second in the 74th minute from outside the box, aided by a deflection.
With a two-goal cushion on their side, Brkić would net his second in additional time to make it 3-0, producing a smart finish from a counter-attacking scenario.
It was a great way to end an important game for Glenorchy, who were winless in NPL Tasmania since May prior to the fixture.
A second consecutive win should be the hope for the Knights, who face bottom-placed Clarence Zebras on Saturday, July 26.
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