Gungahlin United v Tuggeranong United | Saturday, 3pm @ AIS Grass Fields

Gungahlin United grabbed their first point of the season last weekend and can build on that this round when they face Tuggeranong United. United held strong at the back under some early Woden-Weston attacks before scoring through Jack Green; that goal only their third of the campaign. While they didn’t necessarily set the league ablaze in scoring in 2017, the side had 12 points and eight goals at this time last year and Marcial Munoz will be hoping his side can begin tracking on an upwards path. Last week was a better attacking display thatn in previous weeks though, and they will be keen to show more of the same against a Tuggeranong side looking to get back into winning ways.

Mitch Stevens’ side went down 3-1 to Canberra Olympic but it far from a wide open game, and United created plenty of chances of their own. Mate Barisic continued to impress in his second league outing, while Aisosa Ihegie was at the heart of creating their goal on the day and has been one of the best players this season. It will be important that Tuggeranong do not allow last week’s result to be the beginning of a slide after such a strong start and they can make a good impression here against another side that is expected to be around at the pointy end of the season.

 

Canberra Olympic v Riverina Rhinos | Saturday, 3pm @ O’Connor Enclosed

The Rhinos will be aiming to reverse recent form this weekend against Canberra Olympic, having lost two matches in a row in the cup and the league since a convincing win over Monaro just two weeks ago. A loss to Canberra FC in the league last week was not for lack of trying with the visitors having their chances and staying in the game for 80 minutes, but a full performance will be needed here against another top side. This match is just part of a tough stretch for the Rhinos with a meeting with Tigers FC ahead next weekend before Belconnen United following that and picking up points in at least two of the matches is vital. Gabriel Abdula will be without Luke Santolin after his dismissal last week, and the Rhinos have already had three players sent off this season in their four matches. Reigning in their card count early could be an important step for the season.

Olympic meanwhile are now rolling across the board, after a 3-1 win over Tuggeranong United in round five. Questions were asked by some after the round two loss to Monaro Panthers, but last years Premiers have now won three in a row in the league and saw off Tigers in their cup tie despite a number of injury issues. Daniel Colbertaldo let everyone know he was back in the lineup with an early contender for goal of the season last week and his importance in the midfield can not be overstated. Robbie Cattanach again shone in the win with a goal to seal the result, and those two will be key this week against a combative Rhinos side.

 

Canberra FC v Tigers FC | Sunday, 3pm @ Deakin Stadium LIVE on BarTV Sports

A classic matchup looms at Deakin on Sunday afternoon as Paul Macor and his unbeaten Canberra FC side welcome Tigers FC to their turf. Canberra FC continued their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 win over the Rhinos at home last weekend, and Thomas James appears to be in good form with four goals from his three league outings so far. His continued good form will be important, and will pose a big threat to the Tigers backline this Sunday. As well as James though, Kofi Danning has appeared impressive, while at the other end Macor’s side have conceded only once in the league, seven minutes into their meeting with Gungahlin United. They will face a different test this weekend against a Tigers side who have not struggled to score so far and how they fare at that end will be key here at Deakin.

For Tigers, they roll in to the match on the back of a convincing 3-0 win at home against Monaro last weekend. That was important for momentum after struggling previously and being knocked out of the cup, but with Niko Kalfas and Alex Oloriegbe playing themselves into form it looks bright for Tigers moving forward. Nicolas Villafane continues to help orchestrate things out of midfield and prove his worth, but they will need to shore up at the back after struggling there at times. They have six points and are sitting in a better position than previously thanks to a reversal of their Round 1 loss to Woden-Weston*, but a win here against a big rival will be an important step in making their case for finals if they can pull it off.

 

Monaro Panthers v Belconnen United | Sunday, 3pm @ Riverside Stadium

Monaro will be itching to bounce back from three consecutive 3-0 losses in the league when they welcome Belconnen United to Riverside Stadium on Sunday afternoon. After beginning the season with a win over Canberra Olympic their campaign looked bright, but soon stalled as they went down to Canberra FC, the Rhinos and Tigers FC in consecutive weeks. A 1-0 win over the Rhinos in the cup was snuck in there on Anzac Day, but the Panthers are in danger of losing touch with the top four soon if they do not reverse fortunes in the league. The one goal against Olympic remains their solitary goal for the league season through four matches, and their form up front needs to change quickly. Sam Smith has scored their one league goal and one cup goal, and the Panthers will need to find him opportunities against a side that has struggled defensively just as much as Monaro have.

Belconnen come into this match having had the bye last weekend after a five-goal trouncing of UC Pumas in the FFA Cup, and will be looking to make amends to their league form to this point. United have won only once, in the opening round against Gungahlin, and have lost their other three league games. They now sit in seventh spot albeit with a game in hand on sixth placed Woden-Weston, but need to begin picking up wins to avoid falling too far behind the pack. An attack that has arguably misfired may have received the shot it needed in the big win over Pumas, and coach Peter Mazis will hope his side can approach this match in a similar mindset. First up though is ensuring that they are tight at the back having conceded nine goals already, and from there they can look to target an equally struggling Monaro backline. This is a marker game for both sides and will be important ahead of tough matches the following week.

 

* Woden-Weston's Round 1 win over Tigers FC was overturned in a competitions ruling. The team had an incorrect PPS Sheet and visa player issues, however this has now been rectified and no other results are effected.