NPL Queensland is back this weekend with a full round of games in the NPL Men’s and a single catch-up game in NPL Women’s.
Round 17 in the men’s competition is headlined by a blockbuster top four clash between undefeated league leaders Peninsula Power and fourth-placed Olympic FC at AJ Kelly Park.
With just one point separating fourth from sixth place, this could be a significant round come season end.
The in-from and fifth-placed Sunshine Coast Wanderers host Redlands United, while sixth-placed Moreton Bay United travel to Mackay to take on Magpies Crusaders United.
Meanwhile, a couple of fascinating mid-table battles take place this weekend as seventh-placed Lions FC and eighth-placed Logan Lightning lock horns, and ninth-placed Eastern Suburbs take on tenth-placed Gold Coast United.
With the Kappa Women’s Super Cup Quarter Finals taking centre stage this weekend, the lone women’s match will see Eastern Suburbs take on Brisbane City on Sunday.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s and Women’s matches live on NPL.TV, free for Australian residents.
Feature Match
Peninsula Power v Olympic FC
Two NPL Queensland giants go to battle in a Saturday night blockbuster in Redcliffe.
After 14 consecutive victories, reigning Premiers Peninsula Power are steamrolling through the league this season, but Olympic FC will be hoping to put a stop to their progress.
Power and Olympic have the two best defensive records in the league as well as the league’s deadliest finishers.
Power’s Andy Pengelly leads the way with 19 goals, closely followed by Olympic marksman Daniel Leck with 15 goals.
The last time two sides met, a Pengelly goal was enough for Power to take home all three points in a relatively even game.
Olympic will be looking over their shoulder as Sunshine Coast Wanderers and Moreton Bay United both take on sides in the relegation zone this weekend.
A slip up for Ben Cahn’s side could see them drop to sixth by the end of the weekend.
Match details:
Saturday 17 July, 5:00pm
AJ Kelly Park, Kippa Ring
Key players:
Eli Adams (Brisbane Roar): Scored his tenth goal of the season after his double against Lions FC last weekend that earned him a spot in Team of the Week.
Ibrahmin Yango (Eastern Suburbs): His Man of the Match performance last round earned the NPL All-Star a spot in the Team of the Week.
Andy Pengelly (Peninsula Power): The Golden Boot leader has 19 goals to his name this season and will be looking to add to that tally against Olympic.
Daniel Leck (Olympic FC): The 2020 NPL Men’s Player of the Year has 15 goals to his name and will no doubt be a handful for the Power defence this weekend.
NPL Men’s Schedule:
Capalaba FC v Gold Coast Knights
Saturday 17 July, 4:45pm
Max Haynes Field, Capalaba
Eastern Suburbs v Gold Coast United
Saturday 17 July, 7:00pm
Heath Park, East Brisbane
Lions FC v Logan Lightning
Saturday 17 July, 7:00pm
Lions Stadium, Richlands
Magpies Crusaders v Moreton Bay United
Sunday 18 July, 1:00pm
Sologinkin Oval, Mackay
Brisbane Strikers FC v Brisbane Roar
Sunday 18 July, 6:00pm
Perry Park, Bowen Hills
Sunshine Coast Wanderers v Redlands United
Sunday 18 July, 6:15pm
Ballinger Park, Buderim
Image: Patrick Leigh Perspectives