As the weeks roll by, the excitement in the NPL championship continues to build. Each matchday delivers endless thrills, captivating clashes, and the magic only the king of sports can provide. This week, all eyes turn to Albert Park, where South Melbourne will host the in-form Heidelberg United on Sunday afternoon. These two rivals are currently on starkly different paths.
For the home side, ‘stumbling’ feels like the only word fit to describe the state of this historic club. The losses keep piling up with no end in sight. Fans are growing weary, the administration is scrambling for solutions, and the players appear drained of energy. On the sidelines, coach Esteban Quintas is fighting to turn around a dire situation, but his options are depleting at a rapid pace. According to our sources, South Melbourne’s Danish striker Gustav Moller, is set to depart the Greek-Australian outfit, with the towering forward opting to return to his homeland. This is a massive blow for the Argentine tactician.
Meanwhile, Heidelberg United is soaring. It’s that simple. They’re playing beautiful football, scoring goals by the bucketload, and collecting three points regardless of venue or opponent. Coach Giannis Anastasiadis has masterfully plugged any gaps in the squad, deploying players in multiple roles like a magician pulling cards out of thin air. A clash against “Hellas” (South Melbourne) is one of the biggest fixtures on the “yellow-and-black” calendar. A win at Lakeside Stadium would send a resounding message to the entire league.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 5pm this Sunday. Don’t miss your chance to witness one of the NPL’s most pivotal battles up close!
Melbourne’s Greek Australian sports fans are in for a treat this week as reigning champions Oakleigh Cannons return home to host the ever-dangerous Dandenong City. The visitors might be coming off a heavy 3-0 home defeat to the lightning-fast Avondale, but that doesn’t mean the Oakleigh side can afford to take this match lightly.
The Australian Croatian outfit from Dandenong is a formidable unit. On their day, they’re capable of toppling teams with far bigger reputations. The Cannons will need to stay sharp and clinical in front of goal if they want to enjoy a smooth Friday night at their under-renovation home ground.
With both sides bringing their own flair to the pitch, this clash promises plenty of excitement for local football lovers. The Cannons, determined to defend their title, face a stern test against a Dandenong squad hungry to bounce back. It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster showdown in Melbourne’s thriving football scene!
Nea Hellas will play at home this week. Their opponent is the quality Hume City. The hosts desperately need points and a win that will inject some positive energy into their environment – an environment currently filled with negativity and disappointment stemming from the Sharks’ poor start to the season.
The match will be anything but easy for the Sharks. The “reds” are a very good team. They know what they want on the pitch and usually find ways to get it. Achilles’ heel aside – their occasionally shaky defence – they boast a dynamic attacking line. The visitors score goals by the bucketload and possess a… lethal attacking output. It will be a tough match decided by the concentration shown on the pitch by the players of both teams.
VPL1
It’s a big week for “blue and white” derbies in the VPL1! This week we have two highly anticipated clashes.
On Friday evening, Leonidas will host Pancyprios in a match that brings back memories for older fans and fills the younger generation with excitement. Both rivals have started the season strongly, playing effective football, securing wins, and showing that they are ready for overachievement this year.
Then, on Monday evening in Clayton, the second “Greek” derby of the round will take place. Clarinda will host Iraklis. Victory will be fiercely sought by both opponents, albeit for different reasons.
The home team will be aiming to move closer to the top six and create some safe distance from the lower rungs of the ladder. The visitors, on the other hand, will want to maintain their position in the top half of the table, staying as close to the summit as possible.
The weather is expected to be good throughout the weekend and on Monday. So, why not spend your time watching our community’s teams as they battle for a place in the Victorian football sun?
VPL2
Pythagoras will have the opportunity to climb even higher in the standings this week.
The Box Hill-based team will host Goulburn Valley Suns, who, while positioned above the Greek-Australian side on the league table, certainly haven’t instilled fear with their quality and performances in the first nine matches of the new season.
The hosts will need to focus on their defensive duties, as the Suns are a team that scores frequently and in various ways. A solid defensive performance coupled with attacking efficiency should be enough to grant United the three golden points of victory.
NPL – Schedule
Friday April 11
Melbourne Knights – Dandenong Thunder 7.30pm
Port Melbourne Sharks – Hume City 6.15pm
Oakleigh Cannons – Dandenong City 8.15pm
Saturday April 12
Avondale – Altona Magic 3pm
Sunday April 13
St Albans Saints – Green Gully 3pm
South Melbourne – Heidelberg United 5pm
Melbourne Victory – Preston Lions 7.30pm
NPL – Table
1. Avondale 9 24
2. Oakleigh Cannons 9 19
3. Heidelberg Utd 9 19
4. Dand Thunder 9 19
5. Preston Lions 9 14
6. Mel Victory NPL 9 11
7. Hume City 9 11
8. Dand City 9 10
9. St. Albans 9 10
10. South Melbourne 9 9
11. Melb Knights 9 9
12. Green Gully 9 9
13. Altona Magic 9 7
14. Port Melb Sharks 9 6
VPL1 – Schedule
Friday April 11
Brunswick City – Bentleigh Greens 8pm
Saturday April 12
Langwarrin – Eastern Lions 3pm
Manningham United Blues – North Sunshine Eagles 3.15pm
Caroline Springs George Cross – Melbourne City 6pm
Sunday April 13
Western United – Melbourne SRBIJA 4pm
Monday April 14
Kingston City – Northcote City 7.30pm
Bulleen Lions – Moreland City 8.30pm
VPL1 – Table
1. Melb City 9 23
2. Bentl Greens 9 21
3. Western Utd 9 17
4. Bulleen Lions 9 16
5. Brunswick City 9 16
6. Carol Springs 9 15
7. Northcote 9 15
8. Manningham 9 11
9. North Sunshine 9 10
10. Kingston 9 10
11. Langwarrin 9 7
12. Melbourne SRBIJA 9 5
13. Moreland 9 5
14. Eastern Lions 5 5
