NPL Round 3 Wrap

Monaro Panthers 2 (Josh Gulevski 8’, Adam Neou 35’) def. by Canberra FC 4 (Daniel Barac 53’, 74’, 84’, Daniel Colbertaldo 59’)

By Tim Warren / capitalfootball.com.au

Last Modified on 29/04/2019 17:08

NPL Round 3

Canberra FC rekindled some of their 2018 form as they completed an impressive second half fightback, defeating the Monaro Panthers 4-2 on Saturday night at the official unveiling of the newly refurbished Riverside Stadium.

A flawless second half performance by the Deakin side, led by a Daniel Barac hat-trick, spurred the team to overturn a 2-0 half-time deficit to record their first win of the 2019 Capital NPL campaign.

The game started with plenty of sparks as Canberra FC’s Ryan Keir was shown a yellow card within 30 seconds after a clumsy challenge on his opponent.

Monaro looked powerful early, opening the scoring in just the 8th minute through Josh Gulevski when he calmly slotted the ball past Canberra keeper Jordan Thurtell from the edge of the box.

The Panthers should have doubled their advantage in the 29th minute when Gulevski became one on one with the keeper however his dinked shot over the keeper didn’t come down in time, sailing over the bar for a goal kick.

However, Monaro didn’t go on to rue their missed chances, as Adam Neou extended the Panthers to a 2-0 lead when he smashed the ball into the top corner in the 35th minute following a wonderfully weighted through ball.

With Monaro seemingly taking a comfortable 2-0 advantage into the break, Canberra FC stole the momentum back early in the second half, with Barac calmly finishing past Nathan Alferink in the 53rd minute.

Daniel Colbertaldo equalised the scores minutes later with his sensational free-kick curling past the wall and into the side netting, in arguably the highlight of the extremely entertaining match.

Canberra FC took the lead for the first time in the game in the 74th minute when Barac picked up his second goal with a well-hit volley that rocketed into net.

Luka Ujdur’s men sealed the 4-2 win, and therefore the three points, when Barac rounded the keeper and slotted the goal for his hat-trick in the 84th minute.

After two consecutive 3-0 losses to start the season, Canberra FC will take some confidence in claiming a come from behind win on the road. While Monaro would be disappointed they let such a commanding hold on the game slip, as they were in need of a win following last week’s 2-0 loss to Tigers FC.

Both teams will be looking for their second win of the 2019 Capital Football NPL season in round four next weekend, as the Monaro Panthers clash with Gungahlin United next Sunday.

Canberra FC will be looking to continue their good form facing Belconnen United at Deakin Stadium.