Canberra Croatia and Belconnen United have fought out two enthralling contests in 2025, with the Blue Devils narrow one-goal winners both times. With some eye-catching transfer window recruits adding to the intrigue, we arrived at Deakin Stadium for this Round 10 Capital Football NPLW game with a spring in our step.
Other games from this round include:
Majura FC vs Gungahlin United (full stream)
Canberra Olympic vs Tuggeranong United (full stream)
West Canberra Wanderers had the bye
For an alternate review of the round, check out the Capital Football article from Sam Watson.
Match of the Round: Canberra Croatia vs Belconnen United
Two new faces lined up for Canberra Croatia at kickoff: the first, Englishwoman April Hill, was making her club debut in the striker role.
Reilly Yuen was also playing her first game for the club after a break from football in the first half of the year; we’ve effectively seen Yuen grow up in the NPLW in the last few years, where she enjoyed great success with today’s opponents.
Arusha Chew, Nadia Zakman, and Bella Barac were not on the card for the home side.
The unbeaten Blue Devils were without Isy Hindmarsh, but had the benefit of a second run off the bench for ex-captain Talia Backhouse, returning to the club after playing football in Spain and with the University of NSW.
In keeping with their previous two matches, this would be another one-goal win to Belconnen United, dominating the first half, then withstanding a second-half fightback. That early dominance paid off as early as the 6th minute, when Alina Roberts played an insightful ball from midfield through the heart of the CCFC defence, finding Keira Bobbin in space in the penalty box. Bobbin’s left foot shot past Ellie Summers got her team off to the perfect start, and also shot Bobbin to the top of the goalscoring charts on 14.
Summers was in wonderful form during the recent Federation Cup final and continued her strong involvement in this game. Roberts, however, was a constant threat on Belconnen’s right flank, running with pace but also making great passing choices. Her centred 19th-minute ball for Alyssa Di Campli went over the bar from close range.
At the other end, defensive holding midfielder Lauren Preston was teaming up well with fellow midfielders Pearl Tein and Anneke Corry, helping to cut supply to the dangers that Yuen, Brittany Palombi, and Hill pose, and dropping into the defensive line when needed. CCFC right flanker Ellie Raymond would prove to be their most effective attacking option while Yuen grew into the game in her number 10 role. Unafraid to drop back and look for the ball, the busy Raymond was just as effective competing for the call in midfield as getting forward down the wing.
Roberts’ good early work was rewarded in the 26th minute when Di Campli combined with Stefi Lejins to cleverly touch a ball into space and fire a ball at pace from the left touchline. The bounce was awkward for Summers, and Roberts at the back post was the beneficiary, dispatching her team’s second goal with assurance.
CCFC left back Tiana Boots was helped from the field minutes later with a possible concussion, as the versatile Riley McQueenie arrived to reprise a defensive role she hasn’t yet been asked to perform in 2025.
Maddie Steinacker’s defensive work on a Reilly Yuen attack led to a CCFC corner in the 37th minute, with keeper Matilde Laurel Tighe experiencing her first real moment of angst. Palombi’s corner found its way to Raymond just outside the penalty area at the back post, as the ball was sent back across goal, just missing its mark.
Two missed headers in front of the home side’s goal, one by Bobbin, who should have done better, and the other by Ailish McDonagh, rounded off the half with the visitors up 2-0 at the break.
Sofia Merkoureas’ ball for Hill eight yards out from goal in the 47th minute gave a taste of Canberra Croatia in the second half, even if Hill was unable to control the ball on this occasion. Their intensity was up a notch, with the Blue Devils not finding the space they enjoyed in the first stanza.
Summers did well with her feet to deny Bobbin in the 50th minute, after the winger burned past defender EJ Norris. A yellow card was shown to Lejins four minutes later, clipping Jamie Berkeley in full flight with the ball at her feet. Palombi’s shot from the set piece sailed over the bar.
Summers was called into action again on the hour, saving Corry’s shot after an interchange between Tein and Di Campli. McDonagh’s turn-and-shoot from a set-piece was also saved by Summers in the 64th minute.
CCFC central defender Hannah Bourke received her marching orders with nine minutes to go, cutting short Roberts’ approach towards goal. Alex Martens’ resulting dead-ball shot was fired onto Michaela Thornton in the Canberra Croatia wall.
In the end, it was fitting that Canberra Croatia pulled a goal back, and they achieved this with ten on the field. McQueenie’s 91st-minute clearance found her captain on her favourite left flank, and the low ball into the box was too hot to handle for Laurel Tighe. Spinning, Yuen slotted the ball into the net for the final scoring action of the game to make it 2-1 to the Blue Devils.
Yuen is going to be a wonderful addition to Musie Elongo’s squad. Known to be comfortable attacking from either midfield or the front line, Elongo’s challenge will be how to best set his offence up once Barac and Chew are available; a nice problem to have. Hill’s debut was a little quiet, but this had perhaps as much to do with familiarising herself with her team, as the quality of those in blue around her.
As for the Blue Devils, Scott Conlon’s side rolls on with their unbeaten run. Their penchant for starting games well will be a challenge for their opponents to overcome if they are to get on top of this well-drilled side.
>>> Full match timeline and team line-ups can be found here <<<
Final score:
Canberra Croatia 1 (Reilly Yuen 90′)
Belconnen United 2 (Keira Bobbin 6′, Alina Roberts 26′)
Around The Grounds:
Majura FC 0-3 Gungahlin United
Canberra Olympic 8-0 Tuggeranong United
