By Lee Gaskin
FFA Centre of Excellence displayed their class with an impressive 3-1 victory against Gungahlin United at the AIS on Saturday as exciting Queensland midfielder Nicholas Panetta put away a brace.
Gungahlin United remain winless in their first season in the NPL. Last week's 1-1 draw with Canberra Olympic is their only point of the campaign after three games.
FFA COE combine the cream of the country's up-and-coming footballers and will form the bulk of the Joeys squad for the under-17 World Cup in Chile in October and November.
FFA COE coach Tony Vidmar has been pleased with how his squad has improved after having a three-week break after the National Youth League.
"The great thing is they have taken it on board and it's showed in the way they have played in the last couple of weeks," Vidmar said.
"This is the age group that will be at the World Cup in October, so there's a lot for them to play for.
"We're working with the players towards the World Cup because when we go there we want to be feared by all the teams."
Gungahlin United coach Claudio Canosa admitted his side was outclassed on the day but remained patient as his players continue to gel together.
"They played much better than us today, they moved the ball much quicker," Canosa said.
"We need to keep working to find the solutions.
"We have not too big of a squad so we have to keep everybody fit to be competitive."
Panetta gave FFA COE the lead on the half-hour mark before Daniel Barac squared the ledger 12 minutes into the second half.
But a wonderful 25-metre shot from Charlie Devereux and Panetta's second just outside the 18-yard box was enough for the hosts to get all three points.
Meanwhile, Belconnen United staked their championship credentials with a thrilling 3-2 victory against fellow title contenders Canberra Olympic in a fiery encounter at McKellar Park on Saturday night.
A total of 12 yellow cards were handed out, Goran Mukevski's second-half header proving the difference while Blue Devils teammate Danai Gapare scored a double.
It is a top of the table clash at Cooma on Sunday when Tigers FC host Canberra FC at Nijong Oval at 3pm.
Capital Football National Premier League: Men: Woden-Weston FC 4 bt Tuggeranong United 0 at Woden Park on Friday night. FFA Centre of Excellence 3 (Nicholas Panetta 30' 63', Charlie Devereux 59') bt Gungahlin United 1 (Daniel Barac 57') at AIS Grass Fields on Saturday. Belconnen United 3 bt Canberra Olympic 2 at McKellar Park on Saturday. Cooma Tigers v Canberra FC on Sunday at Nijong Oval, 3pm.
SUNDAY: Women's Premier League: Tuggeranong United v Woden-Weston FC at Kambah 2. Monaro Panthers v Canberra FC at Riverside Stadium. Gungahlin United v Belconnen United at Gungahlin Enclosed. All games at 2pm.