The Greek Australian clubs remain in the top six of the table, proving that they are made for huge things this season.
Melbourne Knights – Heidelberg United
Heidelberg United, managed by John Anastasiadis, maintains its undefeated streak by navigating another challenging away game with success.
On Friday night, the “yellow and black” defeated one of the most reputable NPL teams, the Melbourne Knights, in their home stadium.
Despite a tough match with few highlights, the players engaged in personal duels, determined to secure the three points. In the 62nd minute, Nick Olsen scored the winning goal for Heidelberg United, causing the team and their loyal fans, who had travelled to Knights Stadium, to erupt in celebration. The game once again showcased the exceptional quality of Heidelberg United’s team this season, instilling pride and hope in their dedicated supporters.
South Melbourne – Green Gully
South Melbourne has been flexing harder than ever lately. They faced against Green Gully on Friday night, determined to secure a victory and maintain their spot at the top of the table.
The home team started a bit all over the place, lacking the ability to bring the heat to their opponents. But in the 32nd minute, Bonada swooped in with a close-range score to take the lead. Then, in the 49th minute, Brennan showed off his skill with a killer shot from outside the box, leaving the goalie shaking in his boots.
Brennan’s skills weren’t content with just one shining moment. In the 68th minute, he put on a show-stopping corner kick for Jankovic, who had no trouble claiming the goal with a fierce header, elevating the score to a triumphant 3-0.
Esteban Quintas and his crew are not backing down from their quest for the title, putting on a masterclass of calculated plays and impressive tactics. They’ve got the right moves to make it to the top.
Oakleigh Cannons – Avondale
The mighty Cannons fell to the defending champions Avondale, and with notable players missing, the Greek Australian team failed to bring the heat. The strikers were as effective as a post-it note, while Valentini appeared to be moving through molasses.
Avondale took the lead with the division’s star Stefan Zinni scoring in the 22nd minute, and Yusuf Ahmed made matters worse with another goal in the 31st. The home team fought back with a goal from Salmon, but it was as futile as bringing a spoon to a knife fight.
To add insult to injury, Oakleigh put on a lacklustre show in the second half and ended the match with a disappointing 1-2 score, with referee Yiannis Zisis blowing the whistle on their dreams of victory.
Port Melbourne – Dandenong Thunder
Port Melbourne easily devoured the Dandenong Thunder in their home game on Saturday. Emmanuel Peters led the Sharks to victory, dominating the pitch like a great white. He kicked off their score in style, cruising past the goalie like a yacht in calm waters.
Then, like a Greek god, Mark Latsis soared above everyone else to make it 2-0 with a gorgeous header, leaving the guests thunderstruck. But the natural finishing touch was delivered by Andricos Mesourounis, who dashed the guests’ hopes with a perfectly timed close-range shot.
With these three points, the Sharks cemented their standing in the top six, just a… shark’s bite behind the leading teams.
VPL1
It was a highly successful weekend for the two Greek teams competing in the VPL1 on Friday and Saturday. Northcote City showed Melbourne City youngsters who are boss with a 3-1 home win. Despite an early setback, Northcote rose to the challenge and netted three magnificent goals for a well-deserved victory.
The North Geelong Warriors got run over by the Bentleigh Greens with a final score of 3-0. The Greens bounced back to their winning ways, effortlessly taking down their opponents.
Bentleigh showed off their A-game and left their teammates grinning from ear to ear in Cheltenham on a sunny Saturday. In a classic “tough luck” case, the Brunswick City team fell short to Melbourne Victory with a final score of 2-1.
Despite their all-out effort, they unfortunately had to leave the pitch with their heads hung low.
VPL2
On Friday night, Box Hill United and Altona City shared the points. The two rivals battled it out on the pitch, resulting in a 1-1 score. The home team was left with a bitter taste in their mouths as they were still searching for their first win of the season after five games.
NPL – RESULTS
Melbourne Knights – Heidelberg United 0 – 1 (62′ N. Olsen)
South Melbourne – Green Gully 3 – 0 (31′ N. Bonada, 49′ A. Brennan, 68′ M. Jankovic)
Oakleigh Cannons – Avondale 1 – 2 (45+1′ A. Salmon – 22′ S. Zinni, 31′ Y. Ahmed)
Moreland City – Manningham United 1 – 4 (75′ F. Fulton – 9′ B. Everson, 15′ X. Theodorakopoulos, 63′ B. Everson, 90′ X. Theodorakopoulos)
Port Melbourne Sharks – Dandenong Thunder 3 – 0 (36′ E. Peters, 71′ M. Latsis, 84′ A. Mesourounis)
Altona Magic – St Albans Saints 1 – 0 (17′ D. Anastovski [P])
Hume City – Dandenong City 0 – 0
NPL – TABLE
Teams Matches Points
1. South Melbourne 9 23
2. Avondale 9 20
3. Heidelberg Utd 9 19
4. Hume City 9 19
5. Oakleigh Cannons 9 16
6. Port Melbourne Sharks 9 15
7. Dand City 9 13
8. Melb Knights 9 11
9. Manningham 9 9
10. Dand Thunder 9 8
11. Green Gully 9 8
12. Altona Magic 9 7
13. St. Albans 9 7
14. Moreland 9 0
VPL1 – RESULTS
Preston Lions – Caroline Springs George Cross 2 – 1
Northcote City – Melbourne City 3 – 1
Bentleigh Greens – North Geelong Warriors 3 – 0
Melbourne Victory – Brunswick City 2 – 1
Western United – Werribee City 3 – 2
Kingston City – Eastern Lions*
Bulleen Lions – Langwarrin*
*These matches were held on Monday afternoon (15/4)
VPL1 – TABLE
Teams Matches Points
1. Melb Victory 9 23
2. Langwarrin 8 16
3. Northcote 9 16
4. Western Utd 9 16
5. Preston Lions 9 15
6. Bulleen Lions 8 14
7. Brunswick City 9 13
8. Bentleigh Greens 9 13
9. Kingston 8 12
10. Caroline Springs 9 9
11. Melbourne City 9 7
12. Eastern Lions 8 6
13. Werribee City 8 6
14. North Geelong 9 0
VPL2 – RESULTS
Nunawading City – North Sunshine Eagles 2 – 2
Box Hill United – Altona City 2 – 2
Beaumaris – Brunswick Juventus 1 – 4
Boroondara Carey Eagles – Doveton 2 – 0
FC Melbourne Srbija – Goulburn Valley Suns 3 – 0
VPL2 – RATING
Teams Matches Points
1. Brun Juventus 5 12
2. Nth Sunsh. Eagles 5 11
3. Altona City 5 11
4. Essendon Royals 5 11
5. Boroondara Eagles 5 10
6. Pascoe Vale 5 9
7. FC Melb. Serbia 5 8
8. Nunawading City 5 7
9. Box Hill United 5 3
10. Goulburn V. Suns 5 1
11. Doveton 5 0
12. Beaumaris 5 0
