Teen triumphs in Belconnen's dream NPL start

Teenager Luca Florez played a crucial role in the Blue Devils' 2-1 win over Canberra Olympic at O'Connor Enclosed on Saturday, scoring his first NPL goal and setting up a second.

Florez was elevated to Belconnen's first grade squad after scoring seven goals in 13 appearances for their under-20s side last year and representing Australia in an under-16s tour of Europe.

Belconnen is blooding a young team with Jacob Garner (groin), Adrian Macor (calf) and Callum Beaton (knee) out with injures.

Coach Paul Macor had five 17-year-olds in his match-day squad and was impressed by the team's 90-minute effort.

"Not one player let their guard down. I thought our three substitutes that came on did their job - every player did their job 100 per cent," Macor said.

"I thought it was a good first hitout played by both sides. Olympic were unlucky in some of their chances but it showed great character in Belconnen that we played the full 90 minutes.

"It's a great feeling to get a win under your belt, the boys were celebrating in the changerooms. It's been a long time since we've had a win over Olympic.

"Luca Florez was one of our top three players, he assisted with the first goal and scored the winner. He had a great game [on Saturday]."

Belconnen dominated the first half in possession but couldn't complete the final touch, with the match scoreless at the break.

Dustin Wells had a solid chance to score the first goal of the NPL season when Belconnen teammate Kofi Danning was brought down by Olympic goalkeeper Rory Larkin in the 26^th minute.

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The penalty sailed above the crossbar, giving Olympic the spark they needed to bounce back in attack.

Robbie Cattanach's side applied pressure early in the second half as Nik Popovich sent an attempt soaring wide in the opening minutes.

But it was Danning who would draw first blood for Belconnen, pouncing on a looping Florez pass to strike the ball into the top corner.

The celebrations were cut short 12 minutes later when a composed Sebastian Woods, who came on for the injured Jay Kelly (hamstring), scored an equaliser off a Daniel Sparrow cross.

Belconnen sliced through Olympics' defence in the 86^th minute for Florez to sweep the ball home.

Across the border, a 90th-minute goal scored by Jason Ugrinic gave Canberra Croatia a 2-1 win over Monaro Panthers at Riverside Stadium.

Meanwhile, Belconnen launched its NPLW title defence with an 9-0 win over Monaro at Hawker Football Centre.

CAPITAL FOOTBALL - ROUND 1

Men: BELCONNEN UNITED 2 bt CANBERRA OLYMPIC 1, CANBERRA CROATIA 2 bt MONARO PANTHERS 1.

Women: BELCONNEN UNITED 9 bt MONARO PANTHERS 0.