The off-season is kicking into gear, with the spotlight placed on A-League’s youth sides plying their trade in the NPL across the country
How did these sides perform over the weekend? Find out below!
Adelaide United
NPL affiliate: Adelaide United (NPL SA)
Position: 5th
This weekend: Adelaide United v Cumberland United, Saturday July 3, 3:00pm, Summit Sport & Recreation Park
Adelaide United secured a important 3-2 victory over Cumberland United, which now has them only one-point off a NPL SA finals spot.
The youngsters all played important roles with all of United’s goal scorers teenagers.
Mohamed Toure would score the side’s first goal of the game. Having gone down 1-0 earlier in the half, he scored an equaliser on the verge of half time.
United would take control of the game in the second half. United second-youngest ever A-League debutant, Johnny Yull, was influential midfield with the 16-year-old scoring in the 77th minute to put the side 2-1 ahead.
Winger Yaya Dukuly would score the sealer in the 86th minute, the 19-year-old capping off a solid performance with a goal.
Brisbane Roar
NPL affiliate: Brisbane Roar (NPL Queensland)
Position: 2nd
This weekend: Brisbane Roar v Sunshine Coast Wanderers, Tuesday July 6, 7:30pm, Ballinger Park
Melbourne City
NPL affiliate: Melbourne City Youth (NPL 3 VIC)
Position: 4th
This weekend: Melbourne City v North Sunshine Eagles, Saturday July 3, 3:00pm, Larissa Reserve
Melbourne City got back on the winners list in round 14 of NPL 3, taking out a 3-2 victory over the North Sunshine Eagles.
15-year-old City striker Max Caputo was amoungst the goal scorers again, scoring his tenth goal for the season in the 38th minute.
Down 2-1 at half time it was the defenders that helped reverse the deficit. First Daniel Lucente would be on the end of a cross to equalise for City in the 51st minute, with Harry Politidis scoring the go-ahead goal in the 74th minute.
17-year-old forward who’d made two appearances for the A-League side this season, Raphael Borges Rodrigues was also influential, setting up both second-half goals.
Melbourne Victory
NPL affiliate: Melbourne Victory (NPL 3 VIC)
Position: 7th
This weekend: Melbourne Victory v Preston Lions, Sunday July 4, 3:00pm, Epping Stadium
The Victory put in a spirited display over the weekend, sharing a 1-1 draw with ladder leaders Preston Lions.
The Victory took a surprise lead in the 23rd minute. Captain Luca Da Silva lobbing pass found Ryan Lethlean who’d pounce and score the opening goal.
The Victory’s would come undone ten minutes later, keeper Marko Bulic made a fine save but followed up by taking out Lions attacked Ryu Yamagishi, conceding a penalty.
The Lions converted from the penalty spot to be level 1-1 at half time. There would be no additional goals in the second half with both sides settling for a draw.
Newcastle Jets
NPL affiliate: Newcastle Jets (NPL 4 NSW)
Position: 1st
This weekend: Match postponed – NSW lockdown
Perth Glory
NPL affiliate: Perth Glory (NPL WA)
Position: 5th
This weekend: Perth Glory v Bayswater City SC, Saturday July 3, 5:00pm, Crazy Domains Stadium
Perth Glory took out a 3-0 victory over Bayswater SC to help them close in on a finals position in the WA NPL.
After a scoreless first half, the Glory would break the deadlock in the 63rd minute, forward Adam Zimarino firing home for the opening goal.
Holding onto a 1-0 lead inside the final six minutes of regular time, the Glory would put the game to bed with two goals.
Joshua Anasmo curled his shot round the post to put the side 2-0 ahead in the 84th minute, with Glory captain Giordano Golli scoring four minutes later.
Wellington Phoenix – With the reformation of the NZL football system, the Phoenix yet to enter a reserves/youth team into any competition.
Western United
NPL affiliate: Western United (NPL 3 VIC)
Position: 3rd
This weekend: Western United v Whittlesea Rangers, Saturday July 3, 3:00pm, Epping Stadium
Western United cruised to a 2-1 victory over Whittlesea Rangers in round 14 of NPL 3.
United striker Manyluak Aguek was influential once again, scoring in a brace to hit double figure goals for the season (11) and finish the round as the division’s top scorer.
He’d score in both halves, scoring the opening goal of the game in the 43rd minute, and netting his second in the 59th minute.
Image Supplied: North Sunshine Eagles
