The 2025 NPLM Match of the Round Preview
Round 21: Dandenong Thunder v Oakleigh Cannons
Venue: George Andrews Reserve, Dandenong South
Date/Time: Saturday 5 July 2025, 7:00pm
Round 21’s NPLM Match of the Round brings a massive top-four showdown, with third-placed Dandenong Thunder hosting fourth-placed Oakleigh Cannons at George Andrews Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
The stakes couldn’t be higher — just three points separate the sides, and goal difference is nearly identical, with Thunder holding a narrow edge.
Thunder’s Hassan Jalloh has been a key attacking weapon, sitting fourth in the Golden Boot race with 10 goals in 20 matches. He’ll be supported by Yuki Uchida, who continues his strong form with eight goals this season.
Oakleigh’s firepower is equally impressive. Captain Joe Guest has been in red-hot form from midfield, scoring 13 goals so far. Up front, Alex Salmon and Asad Kasumovic have also been dangerous — the latter netting a brace in Oakleigh’s dominant 4-0 win over Preston Lions in Round 20, the former out injured and sorely missed by the Cannons attack.
Dandenong Thunder also impressed last week but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Avondale. Uchida’s 65th-minute goal salvaged a point for the visitors in a gritty battle at Avenger Park.
With finals fast approaching and only a few rounds remaining, this match could prove decisive in the race for a top-two finish — and potentially a home final.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 35
Dandenong Thunder: 11
Oakleigh Cannons: 14
Draws: 10
Last Time They Met
Round 8, Friday 28 March 2025, 8:15pm @ Jack Edwards Reserve.
Oakleigh Cannons 3 (Deu 20, Salmon 28, Guest 41);
Dandenong Thunder 1 (Uchida 77).
Referee: Jack Morgan.
Oakleigh Cannons: Nicholas Feely, Brodie Boyce, Connor Hampson, Jordan Hall, Alex Salmon (Adem Duratovic 90+4), Joe Guest, Kingsley Sinclair, Campbell Strong (Harry Arnison 82), Ajak Deu, Matthew Dench (Asad Kasumovic 78), Joseph Knowles
Coach: Chris Taylor; Cautions: Strong 58, Hampson 83, Knowles 85.
Dandenong Thunder: Jamie Young, Daniel Alessi (Sevdim Ismaili 46), Mersim Memeti, Yuki Ushida, Kyle Taylor, Daniel Clark, Ali Sulemani (Lirim Elmazi 67), Hassan Jalloh, Thijs Van Amerongen, Aidan Edwards (Wade Dekker 46), Ben Djiba (Jay Romanovski 46)
Coach: Adam Piddick; Cautions: Romanovski 65.
Key Matchup: Thijs Van Amerongen v Asad Kasumovic
The Cannons and Thunder are separated by just one goal in both goal difference and goals scored this season — so expect a tight battle at George Andrews Reserve.
Oakleigh captain Joe Guest may be leading the scoring for the Cannons, but it’s the gap left by NPLM Golden Boot winner Alex Salmon which has left a gaping hole in the Cannons line-up. The solution to their forward progress may have been discovered last week, with 23 year-old Asad Kasumovic netting a brace to double his goal tally for the season.
Standing at over 192cm, Thijs Van Amerongen has been a rock at the back for Dandenong this season. The towering Dutch centre-back is set for a marquee matchup against the centre-forward — a clash that could decide the contest.
The 2025 NPLM Round 21 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
Commentators:
Oliver Walker-Peel and Ethan Rigg
NPLM Round 21 Matches
Friday 4 July, 7:30pm: Green Gully vs Melbourne Victory @ Green Gully Reserve
Friday 4 July, 7:45pm: Dandenong City vs South Melbourne @ Frank Holohan Soccer Complex
Friday 4 July, 8:30pm: Hume City vs Avondale @ Nasiol Stadium
Saturday 5 July, 3:15pm: Altona Magic vs Heidelberg United @ Paisley Park
Saturday 5 July, 7:00pm: Dandenong Thunder vs Oakleigh Cannons @ George Andrews Reserve
Sunday 6 July, 3:00pm: Preston Lions vs Port Melbourne Sharks @ Genis Steel Stadium
Sunday 6 July, 4:00pm: St Albans Saints vs Melbourne Knights @ Churchill Reserve