Round 2 of the 2025 Australian Championship concludes on Sunday with a set of five fixtures, as teams looks to build some early form in the competition.
Sydney Olympic v Broadmeadow Magic
Watch live on SBS On Demand.
Kick-off: 1:00 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Jubilee Stadium
Two teams that suffered disappointing late defeats in the opening round will play for their first points of the Championship on Sunday.
Sydney Olympic started well against South Melbourne and grabbed an early lead courtesy of Ali Auglah.
Goals conceded either side of the break saw them behind heading into the final five minutes, Ryan Fuetz equalised with a superb strike.
Less than two minutes later, Olympic went behind again with what would prove to be the decisive goal on the night.
Fuetz was one of Olympic’s best players on Friday night, with the attacking midfielder’s willingness to get shots off, aiding his team’s attacking efforts.
Broadmeadow Magic went down alike, fighting back twice against Moreton City Excelsior, but a stoppage-time penalty saw them succumb to defeat.
Jarred Baker and Cody Nancarrow scored the goals for Magic, highlighting the side's goal-scoring potential.
These teams were on the wrong end of the result in exciting clashes in Round 1 and will hope to get points on the board for the first time on Sunday.
Canberra Croatia v Preston Lions
Watch live on SBS On Demand.
Kick-off: 1:00 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Deakin Stadium
Preston worked their way into the match against NWS Spirit in Round 1 and grabbed the lead 38 minutes in through striker Jason Romero.
Lions looked to build on this lead, with several chances falling their way throughout the remainder of the contest.
However, to Preston’s frustrations, Spirit equalised in stoppage time, and they had to settle for a point.
Canberra Croatia’s spirited defensive display was not enough against Avondale, losing 3-1.
The side conceded two goals in quick succession, before Shoki Yoshida halved the deficit and inspired a response, but Avondale added a third goal late on.
Canberra will be playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in the Championship, yet their home form has not been as strong as their away results.
Three of their four regular-season defeats came at Deakin Stadium in the Capital NPL.
Preston could climb to the top of Group C with a win if other results go their way.
Bayswater City v MetroStars
Watch live on SBS On Demand.
Kick-off: 4:30 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Frank Drago Reserve
Bayswater City snatched an impressive point away at Sydney United 58 in Round 1.
After conceding a second-half penalty, the side remained in the match and in stoppage time, when Jackson Stephens sent an audacious shot from the edge of the box into the top corner.
The late equaliser lifted City a point ahead of their opponents this weekend, and gives them a chance to go to the top of Group D if results go their way.
MetroStars went down narrowly to Wests APIA in the opening round, sitting at the bottom of the group heading into Sunday.
Despite a strong start against APIA, they fell behind an hour in and failed to capitalise on their chances to draw level.
Goalkeeper Cody Oestreich made several top saves throughout the match, which could be crucial against a Bayswater team that caused problems for United 58.
It was tight between these teams in their last meeting in the 2014 NPL Championship Quarter-Finals, finishing level at 0-0 after extra time, as MetroStars prevailed on penalties.
With the two teams ahead of these sides this weekend, a victory would propel that team back into the hunt for a top-two finish.
South Melbourne v Moreton City Excelsior
Watch live on SBS On Demand.
Kick-off: 4:30 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Lakeside Stadium
The two dramatic late winners from Round 1 face off on Saturday afternoon.
South Melbourne kicked off the competition with a thrilling encounter against Sydney Olympic, prevailing 3-2.
The hosts went behind early on, but a set-piece barrage paid off in first-half stoppage time, as Yuki Uchida levelled the scores.
Oliver Lavale put the side into the lead in the second half, but a spectacular Ryan Fuetz goal looked to have caused a draw.
Moments later, however, Jordan Lampard stepped up with an outstanding goal of his own to snatch the points for South Melbourne.
Moreton City experienced a similarly dramatic win in their Round 1 clash with Broadmeadow Magic.
Joe Scott bagged a double, but two equalisers from Broadmeadow meant this match looked destined for a draw.
Scott’s brace takes him to the top of the scoring charts after Round 1.
Deep into stoppage time, Moreton City took the win, courtesy of Seita Murai’s penalty, after an all-action performance from the attacking midfielder.
These teams had a taste for drama in Round 1, and with the top spot up for grabs in Group A, it will be a must-watch clash on Saturday.
NWS Spirit v Avondale
Watch live on SBS On Demand.
Kick-off: 4:30 pm (AEDT)
Venue: Christie Park
NWS Spirit feature for the first time at Christie Park against Group C leaders Avondale.
Avondale were the only winners in Group C, getting up 3-1 against Canberra Croatia.
The side sought to take the initiative in the match, but the deadlock remained intact for around an hour.
Star signing Bruno Fornaroli made the difference for Avondale and opened the scoring, before George Ott quickly doubled that lead off the bench.
A quick goal from Canberra Croatia put the pressure back on Avondale, but a late goal from Zachary Cianci finished off the tie to take his team to the top of Group C.
Spirit faced a different battle, facing sustained pressure against Preston Lions for a lot of the match.
The side were a goal down heading into injury time, when Caleb Jackson Brown salvaged a point with a vital contribution off the bench.
Spirit will be missing winger Michael Konestabo for a few more weeks, but the impact of Jackson Brown off the bench demonstrates they have sufficient firepower to cause problems.
A point last week gives Spirit a chance to overtake Avondale with three points on Sunday, while Avondale could go further ahead if they get up.