Capital Football‘s Federation Cup is a knockout tournament that runs parallel to the NPL season. The Women’s edition of the Cup has run since 2012, and clubs do not need to be in the NPL to participate.
Belconnen United is no stranger to Federation Cup success, having won the trophy eight times, including the last two. Their opponent Canberra Croatia has only taken the title once, in 2021, but has played in three of the last five finals, including 2024.
For an alternate view of the match, see Russ Gibbs’ take for Capital Football, which also includes the full team lists and substitutions.
Federation Cup final: Canberra Croatia vs Belconnen United
It wasn’t the most pleasant of days for a cup final; there was wind and rain, and it never made it over ten degrees, but the sun poked out on occasion.
The Blue Devils sit handsomely atop the NPLW ladder and brought last weekend’s starting eleven into this one, with Bronte Pyke donning the captain’s armband, and Lauren Preston and Pearl Tein among those on the bench.
Canberra Croatia have put together a solid sequence of results in recent rounds, and also had depth on their bench for this game in the form of Sofia Merkoureas, Nadia Zakman, and Arusha Chew, among others.
The Blue Devils settled the quicker of the two, and this translated into time in the opponent’s half. CCFC opted for a high-line back three with midfielder EJ Norris quick to join the defensive line when the Blue Devils left winger joined the attack. This tactic squeezed the Belconnen midfield but at some risk, with Keira Bobbin and Alina Roberts always ready to take advantage of through balls.
Did the tactic work? Mostly yes, thanks to the CCFC defence’s discipline and tackling efforts. Hannah Bourke and Norris, in particular, were prepared to throw themselves around and slide tackle, always a danger if mistimed as it takes the defender out of the play, but their timing was exemplary.
Despite the early Blue Devils pressure and four Isy Hindmarsh corners bombing the CCFC six-yard box, it was Canberra Croatia with the first real goal opportunity in the 22nd minute, just as they were coming into the game. The assistant flagged captain Brittany Palombi’s run onto Michaela Thornton’s through ball as offside, even as Bella Barac netted following Summers’ tackle on Palombi.
Summers accounted for herself wonderfully, bringing her A-game into the cup final. Whether it was diving at the feet of an approaching opponent, or making herself big, or dealing with a barrage of well-placed corners, or saving Alyssa Di Campli’s penalty kick just before the hour after Thornton’s handball, Summers was one of the best on field.
The player awarded as best on field was Blue Devils midfielder Anneke Corry. Having an outstanding season so far, Corry was tireless in the midfield contest and clever with her positioning. On attacking corners, it was remarkable how many balls fell to her outside the penalty area. She was also more than willing to make the effort to benefit from Bobbin’s and Roberts’ excellent service from wide.
After several near misses from the midfielder, the decisive moment of the game fell to Corry with 20 minutes remaining. Thornton’s clearance from McDonagh’s corner saw a sublime first-time half-volley strike from over 20 yards, the level of control and technique breathtaking. On this occasion, Summers, still in the act of attempting to deal with the corner, could do nothing to stop Corry’s shot from rippling the net.
The Blue Devils managed the end of the game well but didn’t let up on their attacking efforts. Two Hindmarsh shots from distance were a highlight, one tipped over the bar, and another wobbled Summers’ crossbar. At the other end, Blue Devils keeper Matilde Laurel Tighe hardly got involved in the contest despite the close scoreline.
Perhaps key to the Blue Devils’ success was the ability to shut down Jamie Berkeley in the Canberra Croatia midfield. In recent weeks, Berkeley has proven adept at distributing to her forwards, particularly to her captain, but was kept quiet here thanks to the efforts of Hindmarsh, Corry, Alex Martens, and later, Pearl Tein.
The win marks three successive cup final victories for Scott Conlon’s group; can anyone stop the Blue Devils in 2025? On this showing, Canberra Croatia is making strides in the right direction.
Final score:
Belconnen United 1 (Anneke Corry 69′)
Canberra Croatia 0
Next week:
NPL resumes – Round 9
