CANBERRA (Interstat) — South Melbourne defeated Canberra Croatia 2-0 at Deakin Stadium on Thursday, getting goals from Jordan Swibel and Thomas Giannakopoulos and keeping a clean sheet in the competition match. The visiting side scored in the first half and added another goal after the break, while Canberra Croatia could not find a goal at home. South Melbourne’s defense protected the lead through the second half, and the visitors closed out the match without conceding. The result continued South Melbourne’s unbeaten start in the competition and left Canberra Croatia still without a win. South Melbourne scored twice in total, and Canberra Croatia finished with no goals. Deakin Stadium hosted the match as Canberra Croatia played at home and South Melbourne played as the visiting team.

South Melbourne took the lead in the 28th minute when Swibel scored. Swibel played the full 90 minutes and finished with one goal. The visitors held the advantage into halftime, and Canberra Croatia was unable to answer before the break. South Melbourne’s first-half goal changed the scoreboard and forced the home side to chase the match. Canberra Croatia had possession in the opening half but could not turn it into a goal. South Melbourne’s back line dealt with the pressure and went into the second half with the lead. The first half ended with South Melbourne ahead and Canberra Croatia still seeking an equalizer.

South Melbourne added its second goal in the 76th minute through Giannakopoulos. Giannakopoulos played 90 minutes and finished with one goal. The second goal gave South Melbourne more room in the closing stages, and Canberra Croatia could not respond. South Melbourne managed the final minutes by keeping its shape and limiting Canberra Croatia’s chances. The clean sheet held through the final whistle, and South Melbourne finished the match with two goals to Canberra Croatia’s none. The visitors’ defensive effort preserved the result after the second goal. Canberra Croatia pushed for a goal late but could not break through.

The result moved South Melbourne to three wins and no losses in this competition. Canberra Croatia is now without a win and has three losses in the competition. South Melbourne’s record across all competitions stands at four wins and no losses, while Canberra Croatia has no wins and three losses across all competitions. South Melbourne’s previous competition results this season included a 2-1 home win over Sydney United, a 1-0 road win at Sutherland Sharks FC and a 2-1 home win over Melbourne Victory. Those results left South Melbourne unbeaten in the competition before Thursday’s match, and the win at Deakin Stadium kept that run going. South Melbourne has now won three competition matches and four matches across all competitions without a loss.

Canberra Croatia’s previous competition results this season included a 2-0 home loss to Sutherland Sharks FC and a 2-1 loss at Sydney United. The home side entered Thursday’s match still seeking its first competition win and remained without one after South Melbourne’s shutout. Canberra Croatia moved the ball through midfield at times but could not produce a goal. South Melbourne’s defense held firm in the final third, and the visitors left with a clean sheet. The match at Deakin Stadium ended with South Melbourne scoring twice and Canberra Croatia scoring none. Canberra Croatia’s competition record remained at three losses and no wins, and its overall record also stood at three losses and no wins.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of South Melbourne 2, Canberra Croatia 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Canberra Croatia with an 83.9 percent probability to win. South Melbourne had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The total score of 2 went over the over/under line of 3.5.