After two disrupted rounds kicked off the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Queensland Men’s competition as a result of heavy rain, Round 3 will see a full set of matches played for the first time in 2020.
Round 3 is shaping up to be a thrilling one, as the NPL Men’s serves up a 2019 Grand Final rematch and a Redlands Derby, while a number of teams will be on the hunt for their first win of the season.
Fans can watch all First Grade NPL Men’s matches live and on demand on the FQ YouTube channel.
Feature Match: Gold Coast Knights v Olympic FC
Gold Coast Knights will host Olympic FC in a 2019 Grand Final rematch in our Round 3 Feature Match, live streamed on the FQ Facebook page this Saturday night.
After falling to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Knights in their last encounter, Olympic will have their chance for redemption this weekend.
Olympic have already played two matches this season, securing a 1-0 win against Gold Coast United before recording a 1-1 draw with Eastern Suburbs last weekend.
Knights on the other hand are yet to play this season following Round 1 and Round 2 wash outs, and should come out firing in their first appearance for 2020.
Despite the loss of Chris Lucas to NPL Victoria’s Dandenong City and the retirement of Alex Smith, this season’s goalscorers Jez Lofthouse and Frederick Yinka-Kehinde look dangerous in attack for Olympic and could cause trouble for a Knights side without defensive duo Matt Smith and Oskar Dillon following their departures from the club.
Keep an eye on the hosts though as a number of new signings, including former Lions FC midfielder Jheison Macuace and NPL Tasmania’s Guilherme Desouza, look to make an impact in their first NPL Men’s match for Knights in 2020.
Match Details:
Gold Coast Knights v Olympic FC
Saturday, 22 February, 6:30pm
Croatian Sports Centre
Live stream link
Other Matches to Watch:
Redlands United v Capalaba FC
Redlands United and Capalaba FC will clash in the return of the Redlands Derby this weekend, 10 years since the rival sides last faced off in a top competition.
In only Capalaba’s second match in the NPL Men’s following their promotion from the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL), the side will look to recover from a 3-0 loss to Brisbane Roar Youth in Round 2 and turn to players like the ever reliable Ryo Ono and new recruit Alex Warrilow to get the job done.
Redlands have also played just one match in the 2020 season, and will bring motivation from their Round 2 8-0 loss to Lions FC as they clash with neighbouring rivals Capalaba FC. Two of the side’s best in 2019, Kado Aoci and Shuto Kuboyama will be key for Redlands this weekend as they look to secure their first win of the season.
Match Details:
Redlands United v Capalaba FC
Saturday, 22 February, 7pm
Compass Grounds
Live stream link
Brisbane Strikers v Brisbane City
Brisbane City will play their first match of the 2020 season this weekend as they take on Brisbane Strikers in a highly-anticipated Round 3 clash after a series of wash outs in the first two rounds of the league.
Hosts Strikers meanwhile have played one match, securing a Round 2 win against Magpies last weekend thanks to a Fraser Hills double.
Saturday night will mark the return of former City captain Sam Sibatuara, alongside new recruits Chris Parsons and Shannon Brady, while Strikers will look to new recruit Emilio Martinez and other staple members of their squad to record a second consecutive win in 2020.
Match Details:
Brisbane Strikers v Brisbane City
Saturday, 22 February, 6:30pm
Perry Park
Live stream link
Other Round 3 Matches:
Eastern Suburbs v Gold Coast United
Saturday, 22 February, 7pm
Heath Park
Live stream link
Moreton Bay United v Magpies Crusaders
Saturday, 22 February, 6:30pm
Wolter Park
Live stream link
Brisbane Roar Youth v Lions FC
Sunday, 23 February 2pm
Logan Metro Sports Complex
Live stream link
Peninsula Power v Sunshine Coast Wanderers
Sunday, 23 February, 4:30pm
AJ Kelly Park
Live stream link
Key Players for Round 3:
Jez Lofthouse (Olympic FC): With one goal already to his name thanks to a strong Round 1 performance, Lofthouse featured in the first Team of the Week for the 2020 season and will be a threat in attack for Olympic as they take on 2019 Champions Gold Coast Knights.
Sam Cronin (Peninsula Power): Cronin helped his side to the perfect start to the season, netting four goals in Peninsula Power’s 8-0 victory in Round 1 to earn a spot in the NPL Men’s Team of the Week.
Mitch Nichols (Gold Coast Knights): Gold Coast Knights midfielder Nichols could be key to his side’s success this weekend against Olympic if the former Socceroo is at his best in the Grand Final rematch.
Read the 2020 NPL Men’s season preview here.
Images: Ian Judd; Brisbane Strikers
