Tigers FC could effectively seal the PlayStation® 4 NPL Capital Football title with a home success against Tuggeranong United as they complete their regular season fixtures at Nijong Oval.
Gaby Wilk’s team are in prime position ahead of the Tigers’ final match of the season after a convincing 4-1 win at McKellar Park over Belconnen United on Matchday 17 gave them one hand on the trophy. Thanks to a superb goal difference, the Tigers could claim the title by recording maximum points against Tuggeranong, leaving chasers Canberra Olympic with a huge mountain to climb.
Olympic continue their pursuit of the leaders when Monaro Panthers make the trip to O’Connor Enclosed. Having cut into Tigers FC goal difference with an 8-1 win over Woden-Weston FC, Olympic will be out for more goals to try and force the issue into the final day showdown. They will have to do so without leading scorer, Philippe Bernabo-Madrid however, as the fifteen goal striker is suspended.
Belconnen United need to get back to winning ways if they are to claim third place on the ladder as they travel to the Australian Institute of Sport to take on the FFA COE. The Blue Devils loss to the Tigers may have stymied their league championship ambitions but if they are to end the league as high as possible, a positive result from this match is a must. The FFA COE will, as ever, be tough opposition though and on their own field will be confident that they can spring a surprise.
Woden-Weston welcomes Gungahlin United to Woden Park on Saturday afternoon aiming to finish their home program on a high with a victory. The Gunners meanwhile, will have the same goal in mind and both teams will be out to improve on what was a highly forgettable meeting earlier in the season when the pair ended their Gungahlin Enclosed clash with a 0-0 draw.
Canberra FC, ensconced in fourth place and already preparing for finals, have a chance to finish third if they can continue to pick up points and the visit to Hawker Football Centre to face the CU Academy will be seen as a chance to do that. The Academy has, however, been in good nick in the last few weeks as their youngsters stand the course, and they will be a tough opposition for FC. FC won the previous meeting 4-0 at Deakin Stadium and a repeat would do nicely for those of a red persuasion.
FIXTURES
Saturday 13th August 2016
FFA COE v Belconnen United (AIS, 14:00)
Woden-Weston FC v Gungahlin United (Woden Park, 15:00)
Sunday 14th August 2016
CU Academy v Canberra FC (Hawker Football Centre, 15:00)
Tigers FC v Tuggeranong United (Nijong Oval, 15:00)
Canberra Olympic v Monaro Panthers (O’Connor Enclosed, 15:00)