Canberra FC will returning to its Croatian cultural roots next month when they play an an invitational tournament in Zagreb.
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The club's premier league side will represent Australia for the fourth time at the invite-only Croatia International Tournament.
The FIFA sanctioned tournament hosts eight Croatian diaspora football clubs from Europe, America and Australia, and is played during the last week of June.
Canberra FC head coach Luka Udjur hopes his team will step up to the challenge and embrace the cultural aspects of the tour.
"I'm expecting [the football] to be of a higher level then what we have right here right now," Udjur said.
"If anything we'll be able to see where we're at and I'm expecting them to take a lot out of it. But it's an opportunity for the guys to also see a bit of Croatia. The Adriatic is a beautiful place to be in summer."
Canberra FC was founded by the local Croatian community in Deakin and was originally known as Croatia SC. Udjur believes maintaining their connection to the Croatian football community pays tribute to the club's foundations.
"A lot of our parents, mine included, migrated here a long time ago normally under duress and under situations where you don't leave your home country unless you really have to," Ujdur said.
"They've all made new homes here and that link is always important.
"[Football] is what kept the community together so this club is something that these people are very passionate about and it shows in how we play."
The reigning NPL champions will be put to the test this weekend when they take on the undefeated Cooma Tigers at Deakin Stadium.
Udjur said Canberra are ready to ride the momentum of their past two victories and disrupt the Tigers' dream start to the season.
"When we're buzzing and we're all vibrating at the same level I think our team is unbeatable," Udjur said.
"We're the strongest and if anyone wants to beat us when we're playing at that level they're going to have to be very very good to do it.
"The Tigers have obviously set the benchmark in the league and they've been able to be consistent which is important and that's why they are where they are.
"If we were to come out with a win, it will show that they have to give more to be able to continue and win the league. I'm really looking forward to [this weekend]. It could go either way."
NPL ROUND SEVEN
Saturday: Gungahlin v Riverina Rhinos, 3pm at AIS Grass Field 1. Tuggeranong v Belconnen, 3pm at Hawker Football Centre.
Sunday: Canberra v Tigers, 3pm at Deakin Stadium. Canberra Olympic v Woden-Weston, 3pm at O'Connor closed.
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
