Knights Back on The Winners List

Melbourne Knights have completed their �irst ever NPL Victoria league double over Bentleigh Greens with a 1-0 win at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex last Saturday afternoon. Mohammad Sumaoro’s sixth league goal of the season proved decisive as Knights picked up win number 10 and clean sheet number four of the league campaign in Saturday’s Round 17 victory. Chances were at a premium on a challenging surface in a tightly fought opening stanza with Ciaran Bramwell and Gian Albano coming closest for the Knights while Manase Abandelwa rattled the crossbar for the Greens in closing stages of the half. The breakthrough came in the 59th minute when Sumaoro was played in by Luka Kolić on the end of a well worked team move before cutting inside and ri�ling an effort from the top of the box past an outstretched Bon Scott and into the back of the net.

Sumaoro’s second half strike sends him level with Albano and Bramwell as the club’s top scorers in the league this season with six goals.

Saturday’s win leaves Knights in fourth position on the NPL Victoria league table, seven points ahead of �ifth placed Port Melbourne who they host at Knights Stadium this Friday night June 16th with kick off scheduled at 19:30.

LastSaturday June 3rd, Canberra Croatia emerged victorious in a thrilling Australia Cup Qualifying Final against Canberra Olympic, securing their place in the Australia Cup Round of 32 at Deakin Stadium. Despite experiencing a dip in form in the local National Premier League competition, the reigning League Champions regained their momentum and delivered an impressive performance against the NPL League leaders.

Canberra Olympic started strongly, with mid�ielder Nathen Megic coming close to scoring an early goal with a powerful header that hit the crossbar. However, it was Croatia who took the lead in the 21st minute when Franc Greco headed in a cross from Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu. Just three minutes later, Ahmed-Shaibu himself found the back of the net after a precise pass from Ryan Keir.

Croatia extended their lead to 3-0 when Daniel Barac was fouled by Olympic goalkeeper Sebastian Usai inside the box, resulting in a penalty that was con�idently converted by Stephen Domenici. Despite being behind, Olympic continued to �ight back, and in the early stages of the second half, Luca Florez scored a goal to give his team hope.

Even after Megic received a red card, Olympic persisted in their pursuit of another goal and managed to narrow the de�icit to 3-2 with a header from Max Mellick. However, Croatia sealed the-

Adelaide Croatia could not handle the fast-�inishing Para Hills Knights, as Para Hills ran out 5-3 winners at the Paddocks. Adelaide Croatia had the �irst clear opportunity of the game through Fred Sunday on the 20 minute mark. Sunday rounded the para hills goalkeeper only to have his strike hit the post. With Croatia settling into the game the better of the two

sides, it was Para Hills who scored �irst. Riley Stam latching onto a long ball over Croatia’s backline to strike past John Solari on the half an hour mark. Croatia shell shocked, retreated into its shell. Moments before half time Staam made it 2-0 from the penalty spot. Para Hills were awarded another penalty In the 50th minute with Staam scoring to complete his hattrick. Rhys Thompson compounded matters worse for Croatia as he received his marching orders in the 71st minute & Isaac Handleyin the 75th minute made it 4-0 to Para Hills. James Odenwalder pulled one back for Croatia with 10 minutes remaining, striking the ball cross goals into the far hand corner. Keshav Shrestha made it 5-1 to Parah Hills in the 90th mi-

Adelaide Croa�a’s John Solari challenging Riley Staam of Para Hills Knights nute, Donatien Niyonkuru & Omari Didero both scored deep into stoppage time to add some respectability to the score line. Adelaide Croatia will need to bounce back this Saturday 3pm at the Croatian Sports Centre against cellar dwellers Port Adelaide Pirates, as several clubs are chasing Croatia’s 3pt lead at the top of the table.