PLAYSTATION 4 NATIONAL PREMIER LEAGUES: CANBERRA
MATCHDAY 8

Saturday 21st May 
FFA COE 2 (Ben Obst 50’, 53’) Canberra FC 7 (Aidan Brunskill 15’, Josip Jadric 26’, Thomas James 44’ (pen), 90+1, Domenic Giampaolo 55’, 64’, Nikola Barisic 90+3’)
(AIS)

Canberra FC, on the back of an outstanding man of the match performance from striker Thomas James, claimed all three points with a remarkable 7-2 win over the FFA COE at the AIS on Saturday afternoon. James scored twice and was heavily involved in four other goals as previously gun-shy FC found their goal touch.

In what was an amazingly frenetic opening the teams, arguably, should have been at 2-2 after less than five minutes of action. The visiting Canberra FC carved open their first chance after just 25 seconds as James broke clear of the FFA COE defence but, from a slight angle, couldn’t get enough power in the shot to test Matthew Sutton. Almost immediately Rahmat Akbari was in at the other end but Rory Larkin blocked.

Canberra FC responded with a rapid counter-attack to free James in behind again but, once more, he battered his shot straight at Sutton when a little more finesse was required. As if to prove that the match was unlikely to end goal-less the FFA COE got in on goal once more, in the fifth minute, as Jacob Italiano skipped past a couple of attempted tackles only to be denied by Larkin, advancing sharply off his line.

Domenic Giampaolo was next to miss a great chance, volleying over when centrally placed on top of the six-yard box after superb approach work by James. And it was James, who was proving unplayable, who inevitably had a huge part in the opening goal in the fifteenth minute. His pass released flying winger Ivan Pavlak who sent in a delightful cross that Aidan Brunskill, who had made a seventy-metre run untracked from defence, rose majestically to head home.

Josip Jadric then saw a thirty metre chip palmed over the bar by the retreating Sutton before FC went 2-0 ahead. Again James was the instigator, drifting past his marker with ease and cutting a pass back to Pavlak at the top of the area. Pavlak struck his shot well but Sutton saved only for Jadric to hook the rebound into the empty net. And the visitors were three to the good on the stroke of half-time. James’ free-kick struck a hand in the wall and the referee awarded a spot-kick. The striker’s initial effort was chalked off for encroachment but he resettled himself to crack his second chance right into the top corner. 

The FFA COE emerged a different side in the opening exchanges as a twin substation breathed new life into their challenge. Ben Obst reduced the arrears with a goal in the 50th minute and, three minutes later, the same player was allowed to arrive unchecked in the area to nod home from close range and put the home side right back into the thick of the match.

Any hopes of completing the comeback disappeared moments later however as James turned provider, sliding a cross into the six yard box where Domenic Giampaolo arrived to slide home. And Giampaolo made it five later when he headed home at the far post after Pavlak had stood up a delicious cross. 

Canberra FC put the icing on the cake with a pair of goals in stoppage time. The first saw James unleash an amazing thirty-five metre lob that drifted over the head of Sutton to make it 6-2 and James then saw another shot saved by the FFA COE ‘keeper, two minutes later, with substitute Nikola Barisic on hand to ram home the rebound with the last kick of the match. 

FFA COE: 1. Matthew SUTTON, 2. James FLETCHER, 4. Kaleb COX, 5. Joel KING, 6. Kai TREWIN, 7. Jacob ITALIANO, 14. Rahmat AKBARI, 15. Luke CALLEN, 16. Ben OBST, 17. Louis D’ARRIGO, 19. Mark MORIC 
Substitutes used: 9. John ROBERTS, 10. Lachlan BROOK, 11. Mirza MURATOVIC
Canberra FC: 1. Rory LARKIN, 4. Marko VRKIC, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Thomas JAMES, 10. Dominic GIAMPAOLO, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 14. Josip JADRIC, 15. Jordan LAMB, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Michael MENSAH
Substitutes used: 13. Kye EDWARDS, 18. Misko NAUMOSKI, 21. Nikola BARISIC
YELLOW CARDS: 14. Josip JADRIC (Canberra FC)
RED CARDS: Nil

Woden-Weston FC 1 (Goran Milutinovic 15’) Canberra Olympic 2 (Nathen Megic 7’, Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 73’ (pen))
(Woden Park)

A penalty, converted by Philippe Bernabo-Madrid seventeen minutes from time, allowed Canberra Olympic to claim a 2-1 win and move to the top of the PS4 NPL table ahead of the Tigers FC clash with Belconnen United in Cooma. Bernabo-Madrid finally broke the stiff resistance of a brave Woden-Weston who played for more than a half with ten men after the first-half dismissal of Arok Thon.

It was Canberra Olympic who broke the deadlock early on as they scored with their first concerted attack on the Woden-Weston FC goal, taking the lead in the seventh minute. Woden-Weston failed to pick up from a corner and defender Nathen Megic was allowed a free run to place a floated header over the stranded Kris Trajanoski and went into the goal off the post. 

But the advantage didn’t last for long as Woden-Weston pulled level eight minutes later and, it was a pretty simple equaliser as well. It was Olympic who were guilty of poor marking on this occasion as a brilliant free-kick from Matthew Waters was met by a perfect header from Goran Milutinovic that flashed past Jack Pettit in the Olympic goal. That was Milutinovic’s third goal in three matches for the club after netting on his PS4 NPL debut last weekend and in the Westfield FFA Cup in midweek.

There was to be more drama before the interval. Olympic should have retaken the lead when Bernabo-Madrid broke the offside trap, but his finish was aimed straight at Trajanoski who stood tall to make a wonderful save. Woden-Weston meanwhile would end the half with ten men following the late dismissal of Thon. Booked for a foul in the corner, Thon reacted in the aftermath to the incident and was dismissed for a second yellow card received within thirty seconds. 

Olympic looked to take advantage of the extra man almost immediately and Bernabo-Madrid tested the dexterity of Trajanoski who was at full length to push a free-kick around the post for a corner. Woden-Weston meanwhile threatened on the counter as Milutinovic went close with a curling effort of his own that Jack Pettit, in goal in place of the absent Angelo Konstantinou, dealt with.

It wasn’t apparent that Woden-Weston was reduced in numbers as they battled hard in midfield with Kean-Baptiste Blaise and Tim Dehelean putting in a tireless shift. With Olympic struggling to make their numerical advantage count Head Coach Frank Cachia introduced substitutes Tim Bobolas and Jeremy Habtemariam into the fray. And it was from a Habtemariam cross that Bernabo-Madrid was crudely hacked down for a 73rd minute penalty.

Habtemariam made inroads down the right wing and sent a ball into the area which found its way to Bernabo-Madrid, who took a touch away from the defender, and was pulled to the ground by the subsequent miss-timed challenge. The forward needed no second invitation to confidently place a firm spot-kick to the ‘keeper’s left and into the corner to restore Olympic’s lead and secure a priceless win.

Woden-Weston FC: 1. Kris TRAJANOSKI, 2. Bradley OLIVERA, 3. Adam DE FRANCESCHI,
5. Jean-Baptiste BLAISE, 7. Matthew WATERS, 9. Daniel DI-SALVATORE, 10. Caleb BROWN, 12. Tim DEHELEAN, 14. Arok THON, 15. Christopher MCEWAN, 16. Goran MILUTINOVIC
Substitutes used: 6. Jan PECHAR, 11. Bensah AFIABO, 13. Jarryd CLIFTON
Canberra Olympic: 20. Jack PETTIT, 3. Josh CALABRIA, 4. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 5. Phil YARNOLD, 8. Bernard RENE, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 10. Robbie CATTANACH, 11. Michael REEVE, 12. Adam ROGIC, 15. Tom MCLACHLAN, 23. Nathen MEGIC
Substitutes used: 2. Tim BOBOLAS, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 18. Jordan TSEKENIS
YELLOW CARDS: 5. Jean-Baptiste BLAISE, 15. Christopher MCEWAN (Woden-Weston FC), 2.Tim BOBOLAS, 3. Josh CALABRIA, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 8. Bernard RENE, 12. Adam ROGIC (Canberra Olympic)
RED CARDS: 14. Arok THON (Woden-Weston FC)

Sunday 22nd May
Gungahlin United 2 (Jason O’Dwyer 34’, Alex Moscaritolo 89’) Tuggeranong United 1 (Nikolaos Kalfas 31’)
(Gungahlin Enclosed)

By Ahmed Jbeili

A last gasp winner by Alex Moscaritolo ensured Gungahlin United claimed the full three points in their 2-1 win against Tuggeranong United at Gungahlin enclosed on Saturday afternoon. Matchday 8 of the PlayStation® 4 National Premier League Canberra had two teams pushing for a top four spot with a win needed to stay in contention for a finals berth.  Both sides had short turnarounds due to midweek Westfield FFA Cup matches.

The match started off with a bang, with the away side really going for the attack in the opening minutes. Tuggers almost opened the scoring in the third minute after midfielder Daniel Roberts had a cracker of a volley outside the box that was just kept out by Gunners keeper Jason Denham.  The early pressing made it unsettling for Gunners as they had to result to long balls and balls into the channel. Tuggers could have scored again in the tenth minute after speedy winger Marco Gayer ended up one on one with Denham. The tough keeper once again made the save and kept the away side scoreless. Gunners finally managed to get a shot on target in the 17th minute after winger Alex Moscaritolo played a lovely cross over to the back post. Attacker Regan Walsh headed the ball over Tuggers keeper Costa Fallas but the header hit the crossbar. 

Tuggers began to really pile on the pressure with the attacking trio of Andrew Slavich, Aaron Cashman and Nikolaos Kalfas looking very dangerous on the counter. In the 29th minute and a low cross from Slavich on the right wing almost met a sliding Gayer from the left but the winger just missed the ball. The pressure paid off as Tuggers found the breakthrough in the 30th minute thanks to a goal by Kalfas. The striker ripped through the Gunners defence on the right wing and a cross sent to the back post ended up eluding everyone and found the bottom left corner to open the scoring.

It took only two minutes for the home side to equalise thanks to a Jason O’Dwyer goal. The attacker was in the right place at the right time as a fierce long distance shot by Christian Junna was palmed out by keeper Fallas and went straight to the feet of O’Dwyer who had the easy tap in.  Gunners began to really mount the attack in the second half, with attackers Marcial Munoz and O’Dwyer causing a headache for Tuggers in defence. Early chances on target for Gunners were easy saves for Fallas. Tuggers almost scored in the 55th minute out of nowhere, Kalfas capitalised on a mistake from Gunners defence and had a shot just outside the box. Kalfas’ shot just missed the bottom right corner with Denham having no chance of saving the shot.  

A close chance for Moscaritolo in the 79th minute will have Coach Mitch Steven asking how they didn’t score. Played through wonderfully by Munoz, the attacker had only Fallas to beat and his shot went just wide of the post. A late chance for Tuggers substitute A Kista in the 88th minute was saved by Denham who punched the ball just over the bar. It was then in the final minute of normal time, Moscaritolo who was played onside by the Tuggers defence and had only Fallas to beat, made easy work and scored the late winner for the home side.  It’s an important win for Gunners who will be confident going into their match next week against Woden-Weston FC. Tuggeranong will have to pull out all the stops for next week’s encounter against an undefeated Cooma Tigers FC side. 

Gungahlin United: 1. Jason DENHAM, 2. Alex MOSCARITOLO, 3. David DEXTER, 5. Jason O’DWYER, 7. Regan WALSH, 8. Christian JUNNA, 10. Marcial MUNOZ, 11. Jake WILSENER, 14. Liam WALSH, 15. David JENKINS, 16. Jack GREEN
Substitutes used: 6. Justin RANKINE, 12. Mitch STEENBERGEN, 17. Frano BLAZEVIC
Tuggeranong United: 1. Costa FALLAS, 2. Cameron DOHERTY, 3. Domenic COLUCIELLO, 4. Sam SHADBOLT, 5. Nick FAUST, 7. Nikoloas KALFAS, 8. Daniel ROBERTS, 9. Aaron CASHMAN, 11. Marco GAYER, 14. Andrew SLAVICH, 15. Liam HIGHMORE
Substitutes used: 10. Emilio KISTA, 13. Tim ANDERSON
YELLOW CARDS: 11. Jake WILSENER (Gungahlin United)
RED CARDS: Nil

Tigers FC 2 (Nahuel Guerrero 73’, Stephen Domenici 85’ (pen)) Belconnen United 2 (Dustin Wells 65’ (pen), Aisosa Ihegie 80’)
(Nijong Oval)

By William Bremner

In beautiful late autumn conditions in Cooma two PS4 NPL heavyweights fought out an exciting 2-2 draw at Nijong Oval as Tigers FC and Belconnen United shared the spoils. Both teams will reflect on opportunities to take all three points but in the end a draw was a fair result.  The Blue Devils started the game well putting pressure on the Tigers left side defence. Jason Ugrinic and Goran Mukevski both had joy in that channel and created some decent half chances in the early stages. At the other end the Tigers attack, mainly through Daniel Barac and Stephen Domenici caused problems on the Belconnen right again creating some half chances. For the first half an hour of the game there was little to separate both sides and it was easy to see why they both figure prominently in people's thoughts in regard to end of season success. 

The goal mouth action lifted to another level in the last 15 minutes of the half. First Alex Oloriegbe, fairly quiet to this point, inexplicably chose to chest a ball in the goal mouth when a header must have surely resulted in the opening goal. The Blue Devils scrambled the ball clear and at the other end Cameron Reinhart got on the end of a loose ball in the area only to see his shot well blocked on the line.

Domenici then found himself with a glorious opportunity after Barac had weaved some magic down the Tigers left and cut the ball back to him. His shot looked for all money like the opener until Adam Perakovic in the Blue Devils goal flung himself full length to tip round the post in what was the save of the match.  Dustin Wells, just before the break found himself in an equally good position at the back post but his lunging left foot finish to a Mukevski cross settled neatly into the arms of a recovering Jacob Cole in the Tigers last line. 

The second half was much the same as the first until a brain explosion by Jakob Cole unleashed a goal scoring frenzy in the last 20 minutes of the game. In the 70th minute he received a back pass and was placed under pressure by the energetic Mukevski. His attempted clearance was blocked and in preventing Mukevski from reaching the loose ball he gave away a penalty and received a red card. Oloriegbe went in goal and Wells easily converted to shift the momentum decisively in Belconnen’s favour. 

This Tigers team is made of stern stuff and they quickly regathered themselves and went on the attack and in the 75th minute Nahuel Guerrero powered a header from a corner passed a hapless Perakovic. Not to be outdone back came the Blue Devils. Aisosa Ihegie, on as a second half substitute, picked up the ball near half way. He rode a challenge and then accelerated into space between the two central defenders and rolled a sweet finish passed an out of position make shift keeper. Belconnen could be forgiven for thinking that the game was now theirs but the Tigers, drawing on reservoirs of resolve even they thought might be empty came again. A long ball out of defence sent Barac galloping toward goal, momentary hesitation between Matt Grbesa and Perakovic allowed him to go round the keeper who in his attempt to clear bundled over the pacey striker in the box. Domenici levelled as a result and the scoring was done. 

From the restart Ugrinic tried a sneaky lob that slipped through the hands of Oloriegbe but he had done enough to see it over the bar and to safety. 2-2 in the end and both teams underpinned their championship credentials.  

Tigers FC: 1. Jakob COLE, 2. Nahuel GUERREO, 3. Hussein FUREJE, 4. Osman FOFANAH, 5. Julian BORGNA, 6. Milan POPOVICH, 7. Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 9. Daniel BARAC, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE, 12. Alan GASTON, 17. Stephen DOMENICI
Substitutes used: 11. Jeremias IBARRA, 13. Brad MOORE, 14. Nicolas ABOT
Belconnen United: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 3. Dustin WELLS, 4. Matt GRBESA, 6. David KEMP, 7. Taylor BEATON, 8. Conor NOLAN, 10. Jason UGRINIC, 11. Goran MUKEVSKI, 13. Jonathan REIS, 15. Cameron REINHART, 16. Matt VALERI
Substitutes used: 9. Sam SMITH, 12. Aisosa IHEGIE
YELLOW CARDS: 4. Osman FOFANAH, 12. Alan GASTON, 17. Stephen DOMENICI (Tigers FC), 1. Adam PERAKOVIC, 4. Matt GRBESA, 7. Taylor BEATON, 12. Aisosa IHEGIE, 16. Matt VALERI (Belconnen United)
RED CARDS: 1. Jakob COLE (Tigers FC)

CU Academy 2 (Chris Ruiz 6’ (og), Joshua Gulevski 20’) Monaro Panthers 1 (Darian McGarry-Watson 57’)
(Hawker Football Centre)

By David Jordan

The Canberra United Academy claimed their second win of the PlayStation® 4 National Premier Leagues: Canberra season with a 2-1 victory over Monaro Panthers on Sunday. An early own-goal from Chris Ruiz and a first-half strike were enough for the Academy to overcome Darian McGarry-Watson’s effort as the Panthers struggled to get into the game.

The Academy looked to control the game from the start, coasting with possession, before Thomas Krklec’s probing low cross from the right found the foot of defender Ruiz and cannoned into the net in the sixth minute. Eight minutes later Monaro had the ball in the back of the net, but their goal was ruled out for a foul on United custodian Sam Brown. And in the 20th minute, Krklec made it count, as his great work down the right paid off again. 
After beating his man, the winger sent in another low cross, which again took a deflection, but found its way to Joshua Gulevski to smoke home from close range.

Academy nearly went further ahead from the restart as Daniel Subasic was sent clear, but he toe-poked his effort off the crossbar and out. Eight minutes short of the break United had another chance as Daniel Fabrizio looked to capitalise on a poor touch from Alan Murphy outside the box. However Murphy hauled him down on the edge of the box for a yellow card and a free kick. The ensuing set piece came to nothing and after Ruiz sent a header flashing over the bar up the other end, the home side went into the sheds at the break with a two-goal lead.

Monaro started the second half in a much better manner, with more of the ball and a greater attacking intent, but struggled to break open a disciplined United defence to begin with.  However in the 57th minute, the Panthers opened the game right up as McGarry-Wilson was played through a static defence to finish smartly past Brown and halve the deficit. The visitors search for an equaliser left them open at the back to counter-attacks and remained in the game largely through the Academy’s profligate finishing. 

A feisty finish to the game saw a number of yellow cards handed out in the last 20 minutes as frustrations picked up. The win sees the Academy jump Woden-Weston into ninth place on the table ahead of a tough clash with Canberra FC. For Panthers they remain in sixth place and will face Canberra Olympic next time out in what is also likely to be a tough matchup.

CU Academy: 1. Sam BROWN, 3. Ridwan HANNAN, 4. Antoni TIMOTHEOU, 5. Niko KRESIC, 7. Joshua GULEVSKI, 9. Sam WHITHEAR, 10. Daniel FABRIZIO, 11. Tomas KRKLEC, 13. Daniel SUBASIC, 14. Niko UJDUR, 15. Lachlan GRIFFITHS
Substitutes used: 6. Thomas MILICEVIC, 8. Adrian MACOR, 18. Jonathan TUREK
Monaro Panthers: 21. Nathan ALFERINK, 3. Daniel HEARLE, 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Alan MURPHY, 7. Daniel FELLIZZI, 8. Sam ROESTBAKKEN, 11. Darian MCGARRY-WATSON, 12. Tony SPASESKI, 13. Ed MCCARTHY, 14. Martin DENG, 16. Mitchell JERVIS-HAMILTON
Substitutes used: 4. Luka MARKULIN, 10. Michael PICCOLO, 20. Caleb CULLEN-RUA
YELLOW CARDS: 1. Sam BROWN (CU Academy), 5. Chris RUIZ, 6. Alan MURPHY, 8. Sam ROESTBAKKEN, 13. Ed MCCARTHY (Monaro Panthers)
RED CARDS: Nil

TABLE

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LEADING SCORERS 
9 Jason UGRINIC (Belconnen United), Stephen DOMENICI (Tigers FC)
6 Sam SMITH (Belconnen United), Thomas JAMES (Canberra FC), John ROBERTS (FFA COE)
5 Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, Jordan TSEKENIS (Canberra Olympic), Nicolas ABOT (Tigers FC)
4 Domenic GIAMPAOLO, Josip JADRIC (Canberra FC), Jaidon SELDON (FFA COE), Daniel BARAC (Tigers FC)
3 Tomas KRKLEC (CU Academy), Mitch STEENBERGEN (Gungahlin United), Ed MCCARTHY, Darian MCGARRY-WATSON, Mark SHIELDS (Monaro Panthers), Alex OLORIEGBE (Tigers FC), Marco GAYER, Andrew SLAVICH (Tuggeranong United), Own GOALS
2 Aisosa IHEGIE, Jonathan REIS, Dustin WELLS (Belconnen United)*, Nikola BARISIC (Canberra FC), Daniel COLBERTALDO, Jeremy HABETMARIAM, Nathen MEGIC (Canberra Olympic), Joshua GULEVSKI, Sam WHITHEAR (CU Academy), Bryce BAFFORD, Ben OBST (FFA COE), Alex MOSCARITOLO (Gungahlin United), Nahuel GUERRERO (Tigers FC), Domenic COLUCCIELLO, Nikolaos KALFAS (Tuggeranong United), Goran MILUTNOVIC (Woden-Weston FC)
1 Matt GRBESA, David KEMP, Goran MUKEVSKI, Cameron REINHART, Toby RICHTER (Belconnen United), Aidan BRUNSKILL, Robbie DEELEY, Ryan KEIR (Canberra FC), Tim BOBOLAS, Robbie CATTANACH, Angelo KONSTANTINOU, Michael REEVE (Canberra Olympic), Daniel FABRIZIO (CU Academy), Rahmat AKBARI, Lachlan BROOK, Louis D’ARRIGO, Mark MORIC, Mirza MURATOVIC, Marc TOKICH (FFA COE), Nathan DUCK, Jack GREEN, Marcial  MUNOZ, Jason O’DWYER, Liam WALSH (Gungahlin United), Julian BORGNA, Osman FOFANAH, Alan GASTON, Milan POPOVICH, Dejan SANTRAC (Tigers FC), Emilio KISTA, Sam SHADBOLT Tuggeranong United), Bensah AFIABO, Daniel DI-SALVATORE, Ben GRIEG, Tom HIRST, Matthew WATERS (Woden-Weston FC)

*1 goal for Tuggeranong United