Canberra FC ready for Sydney United 58 FC NPL encounter
ACT National Premier League Champions Canberra FC will be prepped and ready to go as they tackle IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Premiers Sydney United 58 FC this Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Below is some information regarding Sydney United 58 FC’s opponents who will do what they can to push for that elusive spot into the next round of the Mens NPL Finals Series with the winner travelling to Brisbane for the Semi-Finals taking on Brisbane Olympic on the 5th/6th of October.
Canberra FC won its 21st League Championship crown in some style this season, seven points clear of their closest rivals Belconnen United, and with a team that has slowly evolved over the course of the campaign – they did however taste defeat last weekend as they went down 2-0 to Canberra Olympic in the ACT Premier League Grand Final.
Goalkeeper Adam Perakovic has been a mainstay between the posts in 2013 proving to be a reliable stopper.
At the back Head Coach Miro Trninic has used speedy wide-player Ivan Pavlak as a left-back to great effect with the rest of the defence seeing experienced Aidan Brunskill, ever green Matt Grbesa and the elegant Marcin Zygmunt share the responsibilities alongside the promising Ryan Keir who has also been deployed as a screening midfield player. Jordan Lamb provides cover for the back four and has been exceptional when called upon this season as has Youth United pair Aaron Evans and Nathan Evans.
In midfield playmaker Adam Spaleta will add an extra dimension to the attacking play of Canberra FC with James Field, a new recruit this term from Canberra Olympic, anchoring the team. The combative Ian Graham adds a physical presence in the centre of the park as well with the lively Daniel Bennett offering width. Lightning fast Josip Jadric has also been used on the flanks and his eye for goal and direct attacking play as an impact has been an added bonus. Keir, Grbesa or either of the Evans’ can also cover in midfield.
In the attacking third Trninic has lots of options with four different types of striker available to him. Leading scorer Alex Oloriegbe offers pace and a poachers instinct with silky skills and quick feet. Philippe Bernabo is a more direct type of forward with a thrust and acceleration that can leave defenders for dead. Domenic Giampaolo meanwhile prefers to do his work from deeper, often dropping into midfield to collect the ball and prompt attacks. The other choice would be young tyro Julian Borgna. With a bag-full of tricks in his repertoire, a turn of pace to match the best and a thunderous shot, Borgna could have a major say on the destination of the trophy whether selected from the start, or used off the bench.
Canberra FC Stats
APPEARANCES
25 – Ivan PAVLAK, 24 – Adam PERAKOVIC, 23(1) – Marcin ZYGMUNT, 21(4) – Alex OLORIEGBE, 19(2) – Daniel BENNETT, 18(3) – Philippe BERNABO, 18(2) – Ian GRAHAM, 17(6) – Matt GRBESA, 16(5) – James FIELD, 14(3) – Ryan KEIR, 13(2) – Adam SPALETA, 11(4) – Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 11(1) – Aidan BRUNSKILL, Nathan EVANS, 10(9) – Julian BORGNA, 9(7) – Aaron EVANS, 4(4) – Jordan LAMB, 4(1) – Kaz PATAFTA, 3(10) – Josip JADRIC, 3(1) – Goran JOSIFOVSKI, 1 – Jakob COLE, (5) – Adam AL-ADHAMI
GOALS
22 – Alex OLORIEGBE, 20 – Philippe BERNABO, 9 – Domenic GIAMPAOLO, 6 – Ivan PAVLAK, 4 – Daniel BENNETT, Ian GRAHAM, Kaz PATAFTA, Adam SPALETA, 3 – Julian BORGNA, James FIELD, 2 – Josip JADRIC, Ryan KEIR, own GOALS, 1 – Aidan BRUNSKILL, Aaron EVANS, Nathan EVANS, Matt GRBESA, Marcin ZYGMUNT
DISCIPLINE
RED CARDS (2): James FIELD, Matt GRBESA
YELLOW CARDS (30): 6 – Philippe BERNABO, 3 – Daniel BENNETT, Julian BORGNA, Matt GRBESA, Adam SPALETA, 2 – Domenic GIAMPAOLO, Ian GRAHAM, Alex OLORIEGBE, 1 – Aaron EVANS, Nathan EVANS, James FIELD, Ryan KEIR, Ivan PAVLAK, Adam PERAKOVIC
*Source and information from Russ Gibbs (Media & Communications Manager at Capital Football)
