Gold Coast United are hoping to pick up where they left off on top of the NPLW table

Gold Coast United’s NPLW squad made history as the first Surfsiders outfit to return to training following a competition wide COVID-19 lay-off. SUBSCRIBE TO READ MORE

GOLD Coast United’s NPLW squad made history as the first Surfsiders outfit to return to training following a competition wide COVID-19 lay-off.

But coach Alex Bundalo hopes it won’t be the only slice of history his side claim in 2020.

After threatening last season with a top-four finish, United looked set to take the next step this season following an early-season win over NPLW fancies Capalaba.

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The Coast side went undefeated in the first four rounds to sit top of the table before the season came to a halt, similarly bringing United’s momentum to a standstill.

But Bundalo believes his side is set to pick up where they left off after returning to training in near-identical shape to what they left.

“For us, it was a bit of a letdown because we started the competition off very well and a lot of our hard work was coming to fruition,” he said.

“It was disappointing but whatever challenges we have, other clubs will have as well.

“We want to take off confidently from where we left off and we still have a few more weeks to prepare but we finished that first part of the season with a lot of belief after beating Capalaba and Souths so the challenge will be to not be too overconfident.

“It doesn’t matter who we play, our focus is always on doing what we’re good at instead of worrying about what the other team is doing.”

Bundalo granted his squad a brief break from the club when the season was first suspended before issuing at-home training programs for players to complete.

“It was difficult for everyone and they were trying to do as much as they could after putting in so much hard work in the pre-season” he said.

Deeanna Thompson has returned to training fully fit after a serious ankle injury earlier this year. (Photo by Patrick Kearney)

Bundalo also welcomed the return of a fully fit Deeanna Thompson, the striker suffering a serious ankle injury in the early stages of the season.

“We would have missed her but she’s now a game or even a season changer,” he said.

It is hoped the NPLW season will restart on the weekend of July 25.

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