Tuggeranong United could take a giant leap towards National Premier League safety when they meet fellow relegation-threatened West Canberra Wanderers in what is shaping up to be a must-win match for the men in Red and Black. Should Tuggeranong win, the gap between the duo will extend to seven points with ten matches remaining.
There was very little difference in the previous meeting in the 2023 season when only a late Clancy Hislop header, the forward scoring two minutes from time, secured a massive three points for Mitch Stevens and his team with a 2-1 victory.
Since that encounter, Tuggeranong have added a solitary point, earned in a 2-2 draw against title-chasing Canberra Olympic at O’Connor Enclosed. Meanwhile, Wanderers are still searching for a point to get off the mark, although they have pushed both Gungahlin United and Canberra Croatia to the limit in home matches at Wanderers Park.
Wanderers simply can’t afford to come out second best in this one, otherwise there will be a mountain to claim for the men from West Canberra.
At the other end of the table there’s a one versus two summit meeting as Tigers FC welcome Canberra Olympic to the Australian Institute of Sport for the second time this season, the visitors having won 3-1 on their trip to the venue in Round 5.
Canberra Olympic’s recent run of form has belied their good start to the season, the Australia Cup Qualifying Final defeat has been followed up by only one point in the subsequent six, a humbling 0-5 home defeat to Gungahlin United and a surprising 2-2 stalemate with Tuggeranong.
Tigers FC have had a similar stuttering run of late, the concession of two last-gasp goals to Canberra Croatia seeing them drop two points from a winning position, something that was repeated when they were unable to kick-on against the ten-men of Gungahlin United last week, losing 1-2 after leading from the sixth minute.
With only goal difference separating the pair at the top of the table, the victor, if there is to be one, might take a step towards taking home the trophy even given the vast number of matches left to play.
The race for the top four places, and potential championship glory, will intensify on Sunday as the AIS provides the venue once more as third meets fourth in the form of Gungahlin United welcoming O’Connor Knights.
The Gunners have been in top form in recent weeks, bouncing back from that barmy 4-6 loss to Tigers FC in the Round 4 catch-up fixture with back-to-back victories over title contenders Canberra Olympic and Tigers FC.
What has been impressive from Gungahlin’s viewpoint has been the manner of the successes. A comprehensive shellacking of Olympic showcased their attacking credentials, whilst the gutsy, come from behind win over Tigers, achieved after the fourth minute dismissal of their goalkeeper, shone a light on their determination and character.
For the Knights, well they have kept on keeping on, A Micheal Adams penalty saw them home at the Riverside Stadium against Monaro Panthers in Round 10, propelling the O’Connor team to within two points of the top-of-the-table. Even the dismissal of Connor Bill couldn’t shake their foundations and the Knights will be confident.
The final match of the weekend sees a blockbuster match-up at Deakin Stadium as both Canberra Croatia, and their immediate opponents, Monaro Panthers go head-to-head in a fixture that could have huge ramifications on the rest of their respective 2023 NPL campaigns.
Simply put, neither team can really afford to lose this one if they are to keep pace with the top four. As we stand, the Panthers currently sit sight points off the final’s places, whilst Croatia are only three points better off.
Contests between these rivals in recent seasons have been close, with generally the odd-goal separating the pair come the conclusion. Panthers come into the game off a loss, their win-loss alternating streak standing at an incredible fourteen matches, meaning that they are desperate to keep it going this week.
For Croatia, the late win at West Canberra was a relief more than anything, Noah Vanderpol rescuing them off the bench with a late brace to secure a 4-2 win. They’ll need to be better against the Panthers if they are to keep in touch and not let the pack ahead of them pull clear.
FIXTURES
ROUND 11
Saturday 24 June
Tigers FC v Canberra Olympic (AIS, 15:00)
Tuggeranong United v West Canberra Wanderers (Kambah 2, 17:00)
Sunday 25 June
Canberra Croatia v Monaro Panthers (Deakin Stadium, 15:00)
Gungahlin United v O’Connor Knights (AIS, 15:00)