NPLW Round 7 Preview
Woden-Weston v Canberra Olympic | To be rescheduled
Belconnen United v Wagga City Wanderers | Saturday, 18th May – 3pm @ McKellar Park
Belconnen United will welcome the Wagga City Wanderers to McKellar Park on Sunday chasing a fifth straight win in the league. They did it tough in the Federation Cup semi-final win over Canberra FC, winning from a Caitlin Munoz penalty four minutes into stoppage time of the second extra-time period. There will surely be some sore bodies from that match, and Antoni Jagarinec may be forced into some changes. Two consecutive 12-0 wins in the league has this side rolling and they will have a strong chance to continue their good form against a side yet to pick up a point in Canberra.
Wagga City were faced with the tough task of playing two matches in 24 hours last weekend, and the schedule doesn’t get much easier as they take on one of the league’s elite outfits. They took an early lead against Monaro last weekend before succumbing to two quick goals just ahead of half-time and then conceded a sealer in stoppage time. They have shown good flashes this year though, and they were on top early against Monaro before the quick double put the hosts back in front. They did plenty of attacking down their left edge, but they will not find so much freedom against United’s well-drilled backline.
Gungahlin United v Monaro Panthers | Sunday, 19th May – 2pm @ AIS Grass 2
Monaro picked up their first win of the season last weekend and will be keen to build on that when they face Gungahlin at the AIS this Sunday. That win capped off some strong play in recent weeks, and this is a team that is clearly improving. Alicia Meuronen continues to be the spine of the team through midfield, while American defender Kaitlin Joy has been a big inclusion for Ian Worthington’s side. This game precedes a big clash against Belconnen United next weekend before a meeting with Woden-Weston to round out the first half of the season one week later, and if Monaro want to stay in touch with the four they need to take points here. A loss in this meeting would put Gungahlin clear of their opponents by nine points and cause some real problems.
United cruised to their third win in a row when they dispatched Wagga City by four goals on the Sunday, taking control and dominating the game against a side who could be forgiven for weariness after playing a full game the day before. This match will come ahead of big clashes with the Canberra United Academy and Canberra FC that will be tough tests to complete the first half of the season. Diego Iglesias is happy with the way his side has been playing and gelling, but there is still work to do. They have a spot in the top four with a three-point gap back to fifth, and with Woden-Weston’s match this weekend postponed they can extend the lead to six points if they pick up all three points.
Tuggeranong United v Canberra FC | Sunday, 19th May – 3pm @ Greenway Enclosed
Canberra FC will be looking to rebound from their midweek loss to Belconnen United in the FFA Cup, and will start the round from fourth place, having had the result of their round two win against Woden-Weston overturned due to a breach of competition regulations. They matched it with Belconnen all the way on Wednesday night but there will likely be some tired legs when they meet Tuggeranong at Greenway this weekend. Nik Brozinic’s side will start as favourites to win this match but should not take the result for granted and need to be wary of an improving Tuggeranong outfit.
The journey continues this week for Tuggeranong as they search for their second win in the competition. They fell to Woden-Weston last weekend and sit in eighth spot on the ladder, level on points with Monaro and the Wagga City Wanderers. Kristy Helmers is back with the side after a guest stint with them last season, and Alice Linn is expected to be back in the squad after an injury two weeks ago against the Canberra United Academy. There is some bad news for Tuggeranong though with Steph Coates to miss the game, a big blow at the back when faced with one of the league’s strongest attacks.
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