NPLW: United end Croatia's 19 game undefeated streak

Croatia had managed 19 games undefeated across the NPLW and the Federation Cup, but their first loss in in almost 10 months came on Sunday.

The clinical finishing of United in their 3-1 win proved too much for Croatia, despite the visitors having more opportunities to find the back of the net.

The win keeps United in third but pushes Croatia down to second, following Belconnen United FC's 4-0 win over Wagga City Wanderers FC.

Academy coach Vicki Linton said goalkeeper Chloe Lincoln had an "absolute blinder" to keep them in the game but it was a team effort across the pitch.

"That's the best game we've seen her play and it certainly made a difference, but to our credit, every player put in a really great effort to secure the win," she said.

"So I'm just really proud of that and really pleased that they get rewarded for their effort."

United opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute, after individual brilliance from Sofia Christopherson. The attacker used her pace down the left hand side, before sending a cross into an unmarked Latisha Babic on the front post.

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Croatia pushed to find an equaliser following the goal, but Lincoln kept them at bay. A long range shot from Sasha Grove in the 28^th minute broke the momentum Deakin were building, making it 2-0.

The Academy looked most dangerous on their counter attack and their clinical finishing soon made it 3-0 in the second half.

A 54^th minute goal began with the footwork of Christopherson, who crossed it into the box from the left. Grove took a touch and dropped it at the feet of Nadia Zakman to fire home.

Croatia coach Nik Brozinic agreed with Linton, and said the work of Lincoln in goals kept them from scoring.

"I feel we genuinely dominated that game of football and defensively they were pretty good at times. Their goalkeeper kept them in it for a long period of time but we'll look at taking the positives out of it," he said.

"I genuinely think we were more clinical this week than we were last week, a lot of our finishing was hitting the target, the goalkeeper just did an incredible job at keeping them in the game."

There were several chances for Croatia to equalise or take the lead, but Lincoln kept them at bay. The visitors finally opened the scoring in the 69^th minute from the spot, after Olivia Fogarty legs were taken out from under her in the box.

Winger Brittany Palombi stepped up and slotted the penalty into the back of the net to claim a 3-1 score line for Croatia.

Deakin continued to push to try and find another goal following the penalty but Lincoln denied them all. The side's best chance came in the dying minutes, but a one-on-one save stopped Jamie Berkeley from salvaging another goal for the visitors.

United and the other sides will be gifted a week off, as Croatia look to reclaim their winning ways in the Federation Cup final against West Canberra Wanderers FC on Saturday.