Warriors’ Relegation Fate All But Sealed With 2-4 Loss to Cannons

Zoran Juraj SABLJAK

St Albans Dinamo Victory Ensures Survival in 2024

Zoran Juraj SABLJAK

Dean Larson’s subsequent expulsion further intensi�ied the drama. Ten-man battles ensued, but United 58 remained resolute.

In the �inal minutes, Alessandro Lacalandra emerged as the hero, slotting in a match-winning shot. Central Coast fought back but couldn’t breach United 58’s staunch defence, sealing the latter’s dramatic triumph.

This victory bolsters Sydney United 58’s position and exempli�ies the team’s tenacity, however with only two games left in the season a �inals berth is not possible.

Sydney United are at home for the last time for the NPL season this Sunday 20th of August as they host St George. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00.

The North Geelong Warriors encountered a tough blow in their battle to stave off relegation, succumbing to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of the Oakleigh Cannons in a midweek clash at Elcho Park. The outcome of this match has cast a sombre shadow over the Warriors’ prospects for the impending 2024 season in NPL2, with their demotion almost certain. Despite their uphill struggle, the Warriors showcased a glimmer of resilience early on, seizing the lead in the 20th minute courtesy of a defensive mishap by the Oakleigh keeper. A mistimed clearance found its way to the feet of Ryan Oppermann, who kept his cool and clinically dispatched the ball into the back of the net, providing a ray of hope for the home side.

However, this �licker of optimism was swiftly extinguished as Oakleigh mounted a relentless assault, unfurling an offensive barrage that yielded four unanswered goals. The Warriors fought valiantly but were ultimately unable to stem the tide of Oakleigh’s dominance. In a late bid to salvage some pride, James Alexander notched a consolation goal in the 81st minute, though it proved to be too little, too late, as Oakleigh emerged triumphant with a 4-2 victory. While a glimmer of mathematical possibility remains for the Warriors to avert relegation, the road ahead is fraught with challenges of Herculean proportions. Their �irst feat would necessitate a triumph over South Melbourne in a home clash scheduled for this Saturday, August 19th. However, the stars would need to align in a miraculous fashion, as both Bentleigh Greens and Moreland City must suffer defeats in their respective matchups against formidable opponents – Avondale and Oakleigh, two of the premier teams in the NPL competition. This of course favours the Warriors. In the unpredictable realm of football, where fortunes can turn on a dime, the ageold adage rings true: “the ball is round,” and anything can happen. Croatian teams have a history of summoning their best efforts when their backs are against the wall, and Warriors supporters are holding out for a surge of that indomitable spirit. With anticipation and hearts brimming with hope, fans will gather at Elcho Park this Saturday for a crucial showdown, with kick-off set for 15:00.

St Albans Dinamo has pulled off a remarkable escape from relegation, clinching a tense 1-0 victory over Moreland City in a nail-biting showdown. The decisive moment came from the trusty boot of Brian Summerskill, who coolly converted a penalty awarded to Dinamo. This solitary goal at 2nd minute of play proved to be the difference-maker, sealing the fate of both teams, and securing the Saints’ survival in the �iercely contested 2024 NPL Season. With a collective sigh of relief, Dinamo’s faithful fans rejoiced as the

�inal whistle echoed through the stadium, ensuring their beloved team’s place in next year’s NPL top�light season. The resolute effort on the pitch echoed the determination that has been the hallmark of the Saints throughout the season. The spotlight now shifts to the last game of the season, as Dinamo gears up to host Green Gully at Churchill Reserve. Scheduled for a Saturday spectacle on August 19th, the match will kick off at the stroke of 15:00. While this match holds no bearing on the �inal standings for either team, with Green Gully unable to secure a spot in the coveted �inals and Dinamo safe from relegation, it still presents a golden opportunity for the home crowd to rally behind their heroes one last time on home turf. As the cheers fade and the curtain falls on the NPL season, Dinamo sets its sights on the upcoming Croatian Tourney, a football extravaganza poised to unfold in the vibrant city of Adelaide from the 28th of September to the 1st of October. Dinamo who are reigning Division One Champions and have won the Cup an amazing 10 times will be looking to add to their eleventh Cro Tourney title.

Zoran Juraj SABLJAK

Big week down at Somers St as the Melbourne Knights have clinched 4th spot in the Victorian NPL with a clinical 2-1 victory over Dandy Thunder last Sunday afternoon. It was none other than Josh Phelps who �ired the Knights ahead in the 38th minute, a lead that they carried into the halftime break. Thunder struck back in the 66th minute, sending a shiver down the Knights’ spines. Fear not, for Captain Ivan Franjić responded with a screamer from his trusty left boot just outside the 18-yard box, putting the Knights back on the front foot. Despite Thunder’s spirited efforts, the goalpost remained elusive for them, and as the �inal whistle echoed through the stadium, the Knights were victorious at 2-1. Rolling back the calendar, earlier in the week, the Melbourne Knights locked in a spot in the �inal 16 of the Australia Cup for only the second time in their storied history, outclassing the Lions FC from sunny Queensland with a decisive 4-1 triumph. Gian Albano stepped up with a brace, while Mohammad Sumaoro and Mitch Hore each found the back of the net once. Albano set the tone in the 23rd minute, curling a beauty into