It might have been a thrill ride to open the 2025 NPL season, but once again Heidelberg United’s opening round curse denied them a dramatic comeback success, as they fell 3-2 away to the Melbourne Knights.
Swinging desperate punches off the ropes deep into second half injury time, Alexander were denied an unlikely comeback by the width of the crossbar and yet again as a referee’s assistant flag ended Bul Juach’s joy at having netted what he thought the equaliser a full 95 minutes into what was quite the game.
Up 2-0 just 120 seconds into the second half, the home town Knights were coasting until Anthony Lesiotis exacted a degree of revenge for his send off here in the Australia Cup 18 months ago by scoring a jaw-dropper from downtown on 52 minutes , thus reviving Heidelberg hearts and hopes.
Seven minutes later, with Alexander now very much enjoying what their new-look selves may look like into the coming weeks, Max Bisetto opened his goalscoring account for the club to make it 2-2 and the unlikely comeback was on.
Ngor, Aidara, Yokakowa and company were centre stage and loving it, that is until Josh Karanntz bobbed up to put the Knights back in front on 72 minutes, with a goal that was as much defensively poor as it was polished finishing.
Alexander wasn’t done but their ultimately unsuccessful wild, unbridled run to the finish line kept the season-opener alive and vibrant to the final whistle.
The barnstorming finish contrasted a first half what was as guarded and measured as you’d expect on opening day, in 30 degree heat and featuring a cavalcade of new faces.
Both sides combined for a handful of first half chances and both the Knights and Heidelberg could claim periods of ascendency before the home side went ahead on the scoreboard Ciaran Branwell on 27 minutes.
Branwell struck again two minutes after half time but heroic Heidelberg’s Lesiotis-inspired comeback made for gripping theatre to kick-start the NPL season.
Credit Alexander’s new-look side – which lost around 800 games of experience in the close season – which was already without their long-term injured skipper and further hampered at missing goalkeeper Yaren Sozer, out through injury.
