PS4 NPL Grand Final

Sunday 11th September

Canberra Olympic 3 (Daniel Colbertaldo 61’, OG 64’, Robbie Cattanach 90+1’) Canberra FC 0

Deakin Stadium, 16:00

Canberra Olympic claimed a second consecutive Playstation 4 National Premier Leagues: Canberra Grand final win with a 3-0 victory over Canberra FC on Sunday.

Goals from Daniel Colbertaldo and Robbie Cattanach, as well as an own goal, proved more than enough for Olympic on a perfect afternoon at Deakin Stadium in front of 2,782 people.

Canberra FC came out of the blocks well as they looked to make home advantage count, but neither side could forge a clear-cut chance at goal in the opening stanza. Izach Clements did brilliantly to block a Cattanach shot after he stole the ball from Michael Mensah as Canberra FC defended their line brilliantly.

Tempers flared throughout a physical first half as Nathan Megic was the first to be booked after just 19 minutes. A scuffle in the middle of the park demonstrated the passion on display five minutes before the break as a number of players came together.

Thomas James had a good chance for Canberra FC around the half-hour mark of the match but his rasping drive curled over the crossbar of Jack Petit’s goal.

Ian Graham had the first chance of the second half as both sides looked for the goal that would break open the game. However his volley went narrowly wide after a great setup with Canberra FC looking dangerous out of the sheds.

It was Olympic’s turn to attack minutes later as Philippe Bernabo-Madrid was sent through on goal, however a fantastic tackle denied him from behind before he could shoot.

Ryan Keir had an effort well saved by Petit down the other end shortly after as he raced through, and Petit’s effort was clean despite appeals for a penalty.

Bernabo-Madrid found himself with arguably the chance of the game so far as he cut inside two defenders in the 57^th minute, but his effort was blazed well over.

Four minutes later though Olympic had their goal, as Cattanach fed Colbertaldo through on goal and the forward tucked home his chance with aplomb.

With Canberra FC reeling, the league champions had another one moments later as a Canberra FC own goal doubled the scoreboard gap.

With just under half an hour to go, Zoran Glavinic’s side had to chase the game, and were left open on the counter-attack as a result. A number of set-piece opportunities saw Canberra FC presented with chances but they were unable to make them count.

Having scored nine goals in the previous two matches of the finals, the inefficiency up front for Canberra FC was a surprise to many and their afternoon was characterised by their opponents taking the chances that they should have.

With the leaders sitting back and waiting for openings on the counter, Olympic sealed the deal in injury time as Robbie Cattanach burst onto a long ball, tussling with Clements downfield.

The Olympic midfielder shook Clements off the ball before delightfully chipping Rory Larkin in the Canberra FC goal to ensure the destination of the trophy.

The final whistle was greeted by both jubilation and disappointment after a fantastic game from both sides.

 

Canberra Olympic: 2. Timothy BOBOLAS, 4. Daniel COLBERTALDO, 5. Phillip YARNOLD, 6. Jeremy HABTEMARIAM, 9. Philippe BERNABO-MADRID, 10. Robbie CATTANACH, 12. Adam ROGIC, 15. Thomas MCLACHLAN, 17. Nicholas BOBOLAS, 20. Jack PETIT, 23. Nathan MEGIC
Substitutes Used: 11. Michael REEVE, 18. Jordan TSEKENIS, 7. Patrick ROSS-MAGEE

Canberra FC: 1. Rory LARKIN, 3. Thomas MILICEVIC, 5. Izach CLEMENTS, 6. Ryan KEIR, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 9. Thomas James, 11. Ivan PAVLAK, 13. Kye EDWARDS, 15. Jordan LAMB, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Michael MENSAH
Substitutes Used: 10. James Field, 14. Josip Jadric, 4. Marko Vrkic

YELLOW CARDS: 23. Nathan Megic, 5. Phillip Yarnold, 15. Thomas McLachlan (Canberra Olympic) 8. Ian Graham, 3. Thomas MILICEVIC (Canberra FC)

RED CARDS: Nil