NPL1 Round 15 Wrap

By Tim Warren / capitalfootball.com.au

NPL1 Round 15 Wrap

Canberra FC 9 (Daniel Subasic 12’, Jason Ugrinic 17’, 45+3’, Mathew Waters 25’, Daniel Barac 45+1’, 84’, Jordan Lamb 83’, 85’, 90+1’) def. Riverina Rhinos 0

Canberra FC kept their top-four hopes alive with a clinical 9-0 victory over the Riverina Rhinos at Deakin Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Deakin-based club moved in to fourth position on the NPL1 ladder, tied on competition points with Belconnen and Monaro, however, have a superior goal difference to both challengers.

Complete first half dominance from the home side saw Canberra FC claim a five-goal lead at the break and they never looked back from there.

Canberra FC found the first goal of the game in the 12th minute, when Daniel Subasic pounced on a loose ball in the box following a corner and turned the ball into the net for the hosts.

The home side doubled their advantage just five minutes later when Daniel Barac superbly turned a Rhinos defender and ran into the box before cutting the ball back to Jason Ugrinic who curled the ball into the bottom corner.

Matthew Waters added his name to the scoresheet in the 25th minute as he drilled home Canberra FC’s third goal of the half past Riverina keeper Adrian Montagner.

Daniel Colbertaldo would’ve been disappointed to strike his spot-kick into the crossbar in 40th minute, following Canberra FC receiving a penalty after Connor Earley earnt a yellow card for tripping Lucas Mauragis in the box.

However, the miss did not go on to haunt the home side as two quick goals on the stroke of half time to Barac and Ugrinic saw Canberra FC take a comfortable five-nil lead at the break.

In what was the complete opposite of the first half, the second period of the game started very slowly with Canberra FC appearing to take their foot off the accelerator slightly.

After a long goalless period, the second half deadlock was eventually broken in the 82nd minute when Jordan Lamb slotted the easiest of chances in front of an open net after Montagner was drawn out of his area.

Barac added his second goal of the afternoon just minutes later when he rifled the ball into the bottom-right corner following up his blocked shot among a sea of Rhino defenders.

Lamb capped off a perfect afternoon individually and for Canberra FC as he his two late goals rounded off his hattrick in just a matter of eight minutes.

Lamb’s stoppage time goal was the final highlight in a match that was drowned in them, with the final score line finishing 9-0.

Canberra FC will be looking to string two straight wins together next Sunday at Nijong Oval when they face Tigers FC, who will be coming off a midweek FFA Cup match against Hume City.

The Rhinos – who look likely to be relegated at seasons end, must defeat Gungahlin United next Saturday in Griffith to remain any chance of avoiding the drop.

Original website: https://capitalfootball.com.au/npl1-round-15-wrap/