Gold Coast Knights’ 31-game unbeaten home streak ended by Olympic FC
Their incredible 31-game league unbeaten run at home has come to an end - but that could help Knights’ finals chances. HEAR FROM THE SKIPPER >>
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Ultimate NPL guide: Knights, United begin 2021 campaigns
- ’Get in the box Lachie’: Coach’s wise words lead to maiden goal
GOLD Coast Knights’ incredible 31-game unbeaten home record has been broken.
Adem Poric’s side fell 2-0 to reigning NPL Queensland champions Olympics FC on Saturday night.
Costa Psaros’ goal on the hour mark doubled the visitors’ advantage after Shannon Brady’s first-half strike lifted Olympic to a 1-0 halftime lead at the Croatian Sports Centre.
The visitors played the perfect counterattacking game against the Knights – spending much of the match pinned back inside their own half, only playing forward with pace when the right moment presented itself.
It was a frustrating result for Knights skipper Roman Hofmann, who lamented his side’s lack of a finishing touch in the final third.
“What it came down to was the one-percenters I think,” Hofmann said.
“We made two mistakes and they capitalised.
“When you play against top-four teams it’s those one-percenters that make the difference.
“We had our chances that we could – should – have put away and didn’t.
“On the day we were just beaten by a better side.”
It was always a matter of when – not if – Knights’ stunning unbeaten run at home would come to an end.
Hofmann admitted that the pressure to maintain that record could at times have played into the team’s mentality in big games.
“It was massive for us,” Hofmann said.
“We had a fortress atmosphere going on there until (Saturday) night. We always had it in the back of our minds, that twelfth-man effect with the crowd.
“There’s moments where (trying to keep the record) can almost go against you – we have to put that aside but against Olympic I think it was at the forefront.”
With the Knight’s home tally now reset, Hofmann said the pressure was now released and the team could focus on rebuilding its streak.
“Maybe (losing) takes away a bit of that added stress,” he said. “It was nice having that accolade but it wasn’t the most important thing.
“As long as we have our home supporters at our fortress we will have the confidence to kick on and try to beat that record in the future.”
Knights travel to play Moreton Bay on Saturday.
Tipaldo flourishing in front of goal ahead of Olympic test
GOLD Coast Knights forward Cai Tipaldo says he is ready to take his game to the next level after rediscovering his goalscoring mojo.
With Jheison Macuace and Marek Madle leading the line Tipaldo, 22, was deployed as a wide man by coach Adem Poric to start the NPL Queensland season.
Tipaldo played provider for plenty of goals but failed to find the back of the net himself in the opening month of the season.
However with Macuace and Madle both spending time out with injury, the former Brisbane Roar Youth top-scorer has flourished in a more central role, bagging a goal in each of his past three games.
His most recent was also his most important - turning in a Duante Mariner cross at the near post for the derby winner against Gold Coast United last Saturday night.
“I had a slow start to the season playing out of position and just getting my feel for things and that goalscoring touch back,” Tipaldo said.
“I’ve found my way again now. From now I’ll just continue to score more.
“I’m happy when I’m scoring goals to win games and make an impact on the game - that’s what I love to do.
“I’ve definitely found my groove now, for sure.”
The Knights play host to Olympic FC on Saturday. Kick-off 5.30pm.
‘Their grand final’: Knights boss fires early shot ahead of derby
KNIGHTS boss Adem Poric has sent an early swipe at local rivals United ahead of Saturday night’s NPL Queensland derby, declaring “there is no discussion” when it comes to which is the best team on the Gold Coast.
Porec said while early season bragging rights may be on the line when the two clubs meet at Coplick Sports Park, there was no doubt which was the superior team.
“For me personally I don’t think there’s even a discussion in that,” he said.
“Knights are by far the superior side.
“We’ve made no qualms about pushing to win the league every single year since we’ve been in (the NPL Queensland) and United have been happy to compete for the whole time they’ve been in.”
Since Knights entered the league in 2019 they have finished second and third in the regular season – winning the grand final in their first year and bowing out at the semi-final stage last season.
United meanwhile finished 11th in 2020 and seventh the year before that.
Knights currently sit equal-top of the table on 18 points, while United are in 10th on six points, though with two games in-hand.
“It would have to be something special for them to get a result,” Porec said.
“For them this is their grand final, their whole season. Otherwise they’re right in the relegation battle and possibly playing FQPL next year.”
Saturday will be the first meeting between the two teams since Knights sensationally sacked former coach Grae Piddick last season following a 4-1 loss to bottom-ranked Sunshine Coast Wanderers.
Piddick is now in charge at United and not only that, took a handful of ex-Knights players with him to their rivals.
Asked if Knights missed those players, Porec replied simply: “They’re not in my team.”
Porec’s side will be without star midfielder Mitch Nichols for the match as he serves suspension for yellow card accumulation, and striker Marek Madle is in doubt.
But Knights will welcome back midfielder Austin Ludwig just in time, returned from the US and out of quarantine for his first game of 2021.
Nichols’ purple patch leads Knights on five-game win streak
LIKE a fine wine, Mitch Nichols is getting better with age.
The Gold Coast Knights’ midfield metronome was again the best on the pitch in his side’s 2-1 win away to Logan Lightning on Saturday.
Embracing his new defensive midfield role under Adem Poric, Nichols, 31, played provider for Max Brown and Cai Tipaldo’s goals, proving his deeper starting position has had little impact on his playmaking ability.
“I can get on the ball a bit more and dictate the play and tempo but really, it’s the same thing for me – I still get forward a lot,” Nichols said.
Indeed, his only concern in his new role is being asked to defend more.
“I’ve never made so many tackles in my life,” Nichols joked.
“I’m on four yellow cards, which means one more and I get suspended apparently.”
Nichols’ purple patch of form has coincided with the Knights’ run of five-straight wins – a record he hopes will continue to grow as the team enters a difficult stretch of FFA Cup and NPL Queensland fixtures.
After a stirring win at home to the previously unbeaten Brisbane Roar Youth, eyes were on the Knights and whether they could continue their winning form in a game they were expected to win.
“I think these games are probably where we let ourselves down last year,” Nichols said.
“We’ve won five in a row now and have some big games coming up in the (FFA) Cup and league.”
The Knights host Taringa Rovers in the fourth round of the FFA Cup on Tuesday night – win that, and another Cup clash beckons over the weekend.
It begins a run of tough fixtures for the Knights, who must play lowly Redlands United in the league next before the Coast derby against United, followed by blockbusters against finals aspirants Olympic and Moreton Bay.
“Obviously last year the Cup didn’t go ahead and the year before we lost at home. As a club we want to make that Round of 32 and go as far as possible; get an A-League team back on the Coast,” Nichols said.
“That’s the goal, but there’s a few games to play before that happens.”
Knights’ hero promises more goals with strike partner out
HE WAS brought in as the cherry on top to the Gold Coast Knights’ high-powered attack and when his new team needed him the most, Marek Madle delivered.
The prodigious striker who made winning titles a habit while at Lions FC and Peninsula Power announced himself to the Knights faithful with a second-half winner against the previously unbeaten Brisbane Roar Youth on Sunday.
It capped a stirring Knights comeback from 1-0 down - Madle’s second goal of the campaign the tiebreaker after midfielder Max Brown’s strike prior to halftime cancelled out Alex Parsons’ opener for the visitors.
“It was definitely a crucial goal in a big game for us...I’m really happy to help us get away with the win,” Madle said.
Following dual defeats to Roar Youth in pre-season, the pressure was on the hosts to keep their unbeaten NPL Queensland home record intact.
“There definitely was pressure on us - that home record is something important for us to maintain,” Madle said.
“They were the in-form team, with young players who can run all day.
“We played to the gameplan from Adem (Poric) and executed it well.”
With leading goalscorer Jheison Macuace set for a stint on the sidelines as he recovers from hand surgery, Madle says he is happy to shoulder the attacking load.
“If you’re a striker, goals are expected from you,” he said.
“It’s been a slower start than I would have wished for, but settling into a new team with new players around you takes time.
“I’m hoping to play my part and score goals, but I think...it doesn’t matter where the goals come from so long as we get the points on the board.
“I’m definitely not afraid to take on the task to score goals, because that’s what expected of me.”
The win moved Knights into second on the table, ahead of Saturday’s clash with Logan.
’Our biggest test’: Knights prepare fortress for Roar siege
GOLD Coast Knights’ incredible unbeaten home record will face its biggest test in recent memory when the high-flying Brisbane Roar Youth visit Croatian Sports Centre on Sunday.
The Knights’ Carrara base has been impenetrable since the club entered the NPL Queensland competition in 2019, recording a stunning 24 wins and five draws from 29 matches – easily the best home record of any club in the state league.
Adem Poric’s side has eased to comfortable 4-0 and 2-0 wins at home to Magpies Crusaders and Capalaba FC in recent weeks, but faces a much sterner test in the form of competition leaders Roar Youth.
The visitors are unbeaten to start 2021, boasting a league-best 15 goals and plus-12 goal difference.
Roar travelled to Perry Park and put six past the Brisbane Strikers in Round 4 – Alex Parsons’ hat-trick lifting him to seven goals on the season and one ahead of Knights talisman Jheison Macuace for the outright lead in the golden boot race.
After conceding five goals in the opening two rounds, Knights have kept a clean sheet in their past two matches and skipper Roman Hofmann, deputising at centre-half, said the team is confident it will keep its unbeaten streak intact.
“We look at our field as a fortress,” Hofmann said.
“We have a lot of pride in our home form and we want to maintain that.
“It’ll be our biggest test since the Lions game (in Round 1) … I’ve got full faith in our squad.
“We’re in good form, our confidence is high … we’re aware of Roar’s form, but we’re not going into the game thinking of a negative result. We want all three points.”
Hofmann said the parochial crowd at Carrara was key to the Knights’ success at home.
“We have a great fan base,” he said.
“Our spectators always come out and are loud and get behind us. They give us that added edge in each home game.”
The match was originally scheduled to be played on Friday night, however was moved to Sunday to allow the pitch time to dry after heavy rain through the week.
’None better in the league’: The key to Knights’ NPL success
A SELFLESS Roman Hofmann has declared his Gold Coast Knights boast the best midfield in the NPL Queensland, coinciding with his move out of the engine room.
The Knights skipper is one of the most highly regarded players in the state league competition and has been a midfield mainstay in the club’s finals runs in recent years.
But Hofmann has spent recent weeks in the heart of the Knights’ defence – a forced move as the club contends with limited options at centre-back.
Hofmann’s move out of the midfield raised a few eyebrows around the league, and the skipper admitted it was not his preferred shift, but the results so far – consecutive clean sheets – spoke for themselves.
“Though my preference is midfield, I can do the job there,” he said.
“I said I would do whatever it takes to help the team out and so far it’s been good.”
The skipper’s inclusion in the back four has opened the door for Nicholas Panetta to star in the 10 role, with he and Max Brown’s fledgling midfield combination flourishing.
The pair have been handed the keys to the playmaking attack, with former A-League star Mitch Nichols shifting into a defensive midfield position and Hofmann into defence.
“Mitch’s move into that six role, with his ability and the calibre of player he is, no one had any doubts he would thrive in that position,” Hofmann said.
“He’s there to dictate play and take command of the tempo and that’s been ideal for us.
“That’s allowed Nick Panetta to come into the 10 role and he’s had a great start to the season – he’s probably one of the most dangerous players in the NPL at the moment. The ball sticks to his feet, no one can tackle him.
“And Maxy Brown speaks for himself really. He’s an engine in that midfield and creates a lot of chances as well.
“I look at our midfield and I think there’s not a better midfield in the league.”
The NPL Queensland enters an Easter bye round this weekend. Knights are back in action at home to competition leaders Brisbane Roar Youth on Friday, April 9.
Roar Youth thumped Brisbane Strikers 6-0 in Round 4.
Why this version of the Knights could be best yet
Callum Dick
THIS season’s version of the Gold Coast Knights could well be the best yet says skipper Roman Hofmann.
It’s a bold call to make just four rounds into the campaign, particularly after the incredible success the club has enjoyed since entering the NPL Queensland in 2019.
And yet Hofmann has every faith the current squad can be even better than the champions from 2019 and semi-finalists of last year.
“For sure I think we have the potential,” Hofmann said.
“We’ve got goals upfront and if we can keep goals out, we will put ourselves in a good position to achieve what we want to this season.
“Last season was a bit disappointing. We didn’t get to the spot we wanted to, which was winning the grand final and winning the league.
“We have a motivated bunch of boys and coaching staff. Everyone knows what our goals are and what we have to do to achieve them.”
Knights were flawless for a second-consecutive week when they eased to a 2-0 win over Capalaba at home on Sunday.
Jheison Macuace continued his incredible goalscoring consistency with the opener inside 10 minutes and substitute Mason Cross sealed the result three minutes from time.
After conceding five goals in the opening two games, Adem Poric’s side has kept clean sheets in its past two matches.
“With me moving from the midfield to centre back it’s been a bit of a work in progress, but there’s definitely signs we’re improving,” said Hofmann, who joined Macuace in the NPL Team of the Week after stellar showing at the heart of the Knights’ defence.
“If we continue as we have, we’ll be right up there fighting for the top of the table I’m sure.
“We have a different system that Poz (coach Adem Poric) is putting on us, which we’ve all taken on board.
The main thing is keeping the core group together and that’s what will get us over the line.”
The NPL Queensland enters a bye weekend over Easter.
Knights are next in action at home to competition leaders Brisbane Roar Youth on Friday, April 9.
Knights star finds happy home in defensive midfield role
GOLD Coast Knights star Mitch Nichols says he is happy to take a back seat in a new-look side that has plenty of goalscoring options at its disposal.
The former Socceroo and A-League star, known for his goalscoring threat from midfield in years past, has been converted to a defensive midfield role for coach Adem Poric’s side this season.
It’s a different role to the one which made Nichols a household name in Australian football, but one the 31-year-old has so far embraced.
“I’m feeling good. I’ve had a bit of a position change – a bit less running for me I suppose, now that I’m getting a bit older,” he said.
“We have a lot of attacking threats so I don’t really mind.”
With skipper Roman Hofmann deployed as a centre back, Poric went with a midfield three of Nichols, Max Brown and Nicholas Panetta in the 4-0 thumping of Magpies Crusaders on Saturday night.
Brown and Nichols combined for 15 goals from midfield last season, but it was Panetta who twice found the back of the net against Mackay.
Goalsneak Jheison Macuace also bagged a brace, taking his total to five goals in two games.
“I think it’s good that we’re all interchangeable. We have a really attacking team – anyone can play anywhere in midfield,” Nichols said.
Mackay was coming off an impressive display in a 3-2 loss to Olympic the week prior, but looked a class below Nichols’ Knights.
“(Mackay) looks to be one of the stronger teams in the league, but we always back ourselves at home,” he said.
“ I don’t think we’ve lost in over three years at home in the league.
“It was good to get some goals but more importantly, to keep a clean sheet.”
Knights hit the road to face Capalaba on Sunday, in a game that suddenly holds plenty of intrigue after the Bulldogs’ upset 3-2 win over Lions two weeks ago.
“They’re in some form and will be looking to back that up at home,” Nichols said.
“Hopefully it’s not flooded out there (and we can) play. We want to play.
“We have a big FFA Cup game coming up the week after as well … we’re keen to start building some winning momentum.”
’Professional’ Knights vow to knock off plucky Mackay
From March 19, 2021 – Callum Dick
GOLD Coast Knights captain Roman Hofmann has cautioned his team not to be complacent as it prepares for a Magpies Crusaders side he says has the potential to finish in the NPL Queensland top four this season.
The 2019 grand final winners will enter the match as favourites owing to their state league pedigree of seasons past, but Hofmann said Mackay’s start to the 2021 season meant Saturday’s clash would be a hotly contested affair.
“Based on what I’ve seen they look like a team that will be pushing towards the top four possibly,” Hofmann said.
“We won’t go into the weekend thinking it will be an easy task. It’s just like any game and three points are up for grabs.”
It was high praise from the Knights skipper, who has watched from afar as Magpies Crusaders opened their campaign with a road win over Brisbane Strikers before a last-gasp loss to Olympic at the weekend.
Prolonged rain on the Gold Coast threatens to force a fixture shift away from Carrara, with a handful of Brisbane and even Sunshine Coast venues mooted as options if the Knights’ pitch is not ready to go by Saturday.
“We have blokes who are professional in their mindset. They’ll be able to adjust,” Hofmann said.
“It’s massive for us having that home crowd, but we have the drive to make sure we can perform on the day.”
Jheison Macuace is one of the form strikers in the competition heading into Round 3, after his hat-trick heroics in Knights’ 3-2 win over Brisbane Strikers last weekend.
With Marek Madle set to return from suspension and young gun Cai Tipaldo back in the line-up after missing the opening round, their attacking options are plenty.
If the Knights do as expected and knock off Mackay, they will move to 2-1 on the season ahead of an away trip to Capalaba in Round 4.
Revealed: Masterplan to take down Gold Coast football kings
From March 18, 2021 – Callum Dick
PERENNIAL NPL Queensland battlers Magpies Crusaders believe they have the blueprint to unlock the Gold Coast Knights system and leave southeast Queensland with an upset win this weekend.
A bold Tom Ballantyne declared he has “found a point of weakness” within the Knights’ structure that he will task his team with exploiting when the two teams meet for a blockbuster Round 3 clash on Saturday.
“We won’t advertise what it is … we obviously need to make sure (Knights) are not aware of it,” the Mackay boss said.
“We’ve spotted what we think is an area of weakness (for Knights) and it’s something we’ll look to put into practice.”
The North Queensland outfit was last year sensationally dumped from the NPL during the COVID-19 enforced mid-season break and, as Knights rolled to another finals appearance, Ballantyne steered the ship in the local Mackay competition.
But Magpies Crusaders have returned to state league action with a flourish, knocking off Brisbane Strikers at Perry Park in the opening round before a narrow loss to competition heavyweight Olympic at the weekend.
What once looked an easy three points on paper for Adem Poric’s Knights can now be considered anything but – and Ballantyne believes his young squad has it in them to cause an upset.
“(Knights) have a lot of firepower. Our test will be can we get them on the back foot,” Ballantyne said.
“Having watched Strikers, they took it to them and gave them a challenge. If Strikers can do it, we can do it.”
Prolonged rain on the Gold Coast threatens to force a fixture shift away from Carrara, with a handful of Brisbane and even Sunshine Coast venues mooted as options if the Knights’ pitch is not ready to go by Saturday.
Ballantyne suggested a move away from the Croatian Sports Park, and the Knights’ parochial home fans, could work in the visitors’ favour.
“I think potentially it plays into our hands more than them … but overall it doesn’t really make a difference – an away game is still an away game,” he said.
Saturday’s clash pits two in-form midfields against each other; Knights’ star-studded trio of Mitch Nichols, Max Brown and skipper Roman Hofmann opposed to Mackay’s former Belgian youth international Jordy Vleugels and boom off-season signing Gediminas Krusa.
Upfront, Jheison Macuace will lead the line for Knights after his hat-trick heroics against Brisbane Strikers, while speedy tandem Lathan Dunn and Kyren Walters will be Mackay’s main avenues to goal.
50+ names: Harvey U19 girls players to watch this season
Who will be the key rugby league players to watch from your club this season in the Harvey Norman under-19 female competition? All is revealed here ahead of Saturday’s round one.
Breakout A-League star weighs in on new second tier Championship
Brisbane Roar debutant Austin Ludwik has revealed how the newly announced second tier Championship will radically change the football landscape in Australia. Full details inside.