It was another entertaining weekend of football in the National Premier Leagues, and beyond, across Australia. KEEPUP brings you the best bits.
Miguel Di Pizio: The Mariners’ next young star?
Central Coast Mariners Academy head coach Abbas Saad believes Miguel Di Pizio is ready to play overseas after his two-goal haul stunned high-flying Marconi Stallions 2-0 in NPLM NSW.
Marconi entered Sunday’s showdown third in the standings and three points adrift of league-leading APIA Leichhardt but teenage sensation Di Pizio inspired the young Mariners to an upset win at Pluim Park.
The 17-year-old made his Isuzu UTE A-League debut for the Mariners in their F3 Derby triumph away to Newcastle Jets last month and the Australian youth international showcased his quality against Marconi.
Di Pizio opened the scoring in the 49th minute but his second of the game 18 minutes later was the pick of the lot, with the Joeys midfielder’s sensational strike rocketing into the top-right corner of the net.
“(The) sky’s the limit for him,” Saad, a four-time Socceroo, said via NPL NSW after the Mariners extended their unbeaten run to five matches. “He’s a talented kid, and physically he’s already there.
“It’s unbelievable that at 17 he’s already the player he is. He’s super professional, he wants it, he’s hungry.
“I tell him that if he wants to go overseas, be ready so you can go overseas and stay overseas. Most of our kids go over not ready.
“He’s ready, he’s got a great attitude, and I really hope he goes all the way.”
Di Pizio signed a scholarship contract with the Mariners in April, and he has not looked back since arriving from Western Sydney Wanderers at the start of the NPL pre-season.
Having initially begun with the Under-20 squad, the 17-year-old has established himself in the Men’s Academy program – making his debut against Sydney FC in round six.
A former Joeys captain, he is also gearing up for the U17 AFC Asian Cup in Thailand after taking part in a recent 30-man training camp.
When Di Pizio signed a scholarship deal with the Mariners in April, the club’s website suggested he ‘has already attracted interest from club’s worldwide’.
“Miguel is an exciting young player who can play anywhere across the front. He is physically competing at first grade level as well as holding his own when training with the A-League squad,” Mariners boss Nick Montgomery said.
“I have been really impressed with this for a player of his age. I have no doubt that he has a massive future ahead of him if he keeps his feet on the ground, continues to work hard and stays humble.”
Elsewhere in NPLM NSW, APIA edged St George City FA 2-1 and Rockdale Ilinden overcame Blacktown City 2-1 in last-gasp circumstances.
A-Leagues star shows her class
Whether it is the Liberty A-League or NPLW NSW, there is no stopping Rhianna Pollicina.
The Melbourne City star is back playing domestic football for APIA Leichhardt and she produced a moment of magic in her second appearance after her team’s Semi Final exit in the A-League Women.
After bagging a goal and two assists last time out, Pollicina – who scored 10 goals in 18 matches for City in 2022-23 – was the match-winner in APIA’s 1-0 win over Illawarra Stingrays.
The 26-year-old’s exquisite chip settled the contest.
APIA are unbeaten and top the standings through 10 rounds, eight points clear of Northern Tigers.
Son of a gun at it again
Remember Raphael Borges Rodrigues – the Melbourne City youngster who scored four goals in a 5-1 rout of Langwarrin in NPL2 VIC a couple of weeks ago?
Well, the 19-year-old attacker was at it again over the weekend, netting a quick-fire double to lead City to a 2-0 win away to Kingston City.
Borges Rodrigues – the son of former Adelaide United star Cristiano who made his senior City debut under ex-boss Erick Mombaerts as a 17-year-old during the 2019-20 Isuzu UTE A-League season – broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute before doubling the lead 12 minutes later.
He has now scored a joint league-high seven goals, level with five other players. However, his tally has come in just four appearances.
In NPL1 VIC, Avondale FC and South Melbourne remain level on points atop the table following respective 4-0 and 2-1 wins.
Defending champions Oakleigh Cannons were too good for Moreland City 3-0, while in-form Melbourne Knights blitzed Heidelberg United 5-0.
In NPLW VIC, there was a wild nine-goal shoot-out between Heidelberg and leaders Boroondara-Carey Eagles.
Heidelberg led 4-2 at half-time, but Boroondara-Carey used a three-goal second half to stun the home side 5-4.
Titleholders Calder United drew 1-1 with South Melbourne.
United’s unbeaten record ruined
Gold Coast United had started the NPLM QLD season undefeated through nine rounds. However, they came crashing back down to earth after a 4-0 loss to Rochedale Rovers.
Rochedale made it three wins in a row in a convincing display that allowed Scott McDonald’s reigning champions Gold Coast Knights to move within two points of United.
The Knights overcame Brisbane Olympic 3-0.
However, the match of the round saw Lions FC and lowly Eastern Suburbs play out an incredible 4-4 draw.
Lions led 3-1 and took a 4-3 advantage into stoppage time before Alexander Barnett equalised in the 93rd minute.
Over in NPLW QLD, Lions FC used a 2-0 win over Eastern Suburbs to open up a five-point lead atop the summit.
In NPLM WA, Bayswater City’s run of five consecutive wins has them three points clear while Devonport City remain the team to beat in NPLM Tasmania are preserving their unbeaten record with a 2-0 success over Glenorchy Knights.
MetroStars’ 3-0 victory away to Adelaide Comets has the club top of NPLM SA by two points ahead of Campbelltown City and Adelaide United.
