CLUB FOCUS: SYDNEY UNITED 58 FC
Sydney United 58 FC are ready to redeem themselves after failing to make the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s top five last season.
One win from their last five games was terminal as the 2015 season ended in seventh place.
United endured a frustrating season of ups and downs in which they surprising slipped out of the top five, but captain Robbie Mileski says the players have committed to one another to avoid a repeat.
“I think we’re ready to go. We’ve had a good pre-season. It’s been tough, but very good,” he said.
“Some changes have been made. Last year, we had a lot of people away with weddings and other things and injuries, but we’ve made a point of all coming together before the season and making sure we stick together and making sure we’re always there.
“The bare minimum expectation is top five and we want to go at least one step further in the FFA Cup.”
Eddy Bosnar headlines a boon off-season of recruitment, as the centre-back arrives alongside former Manly United front man Chris Payne as well as former Blacktown City defender Yianni Fragogiannis, Thomas Manos and Andrew Depta.
Nick Stavroulakis is also back to full strength after a horrific head injury in 2015 and will provide much needed steel in Rudan’s midfield.
“We’re very confident this year,” Mileski said.
“I think we have picked up the players we needed.”
Ibrahim Haydar exits the club, as does Mitch Stamatellis and Phil Makrys but Mileski is confident his side is looking good for a strong year.
“We’ve moved around in pre-season a bit. We’ve played Melbourne Knights and lower division sides and the only team we’ve played from our division is Parramatta,” he said.
“But we have Blacktown City first up and that will be tough but it should show us where we are at.’
” I think we will do very well, it might take us a couple of weeks to hit top gear, but I’m confident of a good season.”
PLAYER TO WATCH: Panni Nikas
Panni Nikas worked hard for his eight goals last season and he will be hoping that new signing Chris Payne will be able to share the burden this season. IF the two can form a partnership and Nikas can find the back of the net more regularly, it would go a long way to securing finals football.
SQUAD: Thomas Manos, Kristopher Vlismas, Masato Mochizuki, Eddy Bosnar, Nathan Bertolissio, Chris Payne, Yutaro Shin, Peter Triantis, Robert Mileski, Nikola Taneski, Mark Rizoski, Richard Darko, Nick Stavroulakis, Theo Kofinas, Nathan Sherlock, Matthew Bilic, Andrew Depta, Yianni Fragogiannis, Panagiotis Nikas
