Round 2 Preview – NPL NSW Men’s

The second round of the National Premier Leagues NSW Mens season has arrived and teams are out to build on their week one results.

Week one delivered some quality fixtures with big wins for Sydney FC, APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Marconi Stallions.

It is sure to be a big week for Sydney United 58 coach Jason Culina whose side takes on Blacktown City in one of the matches of the round.

Sydney United 58 FC v Blacktown City FC, 7.30pm Saturday at Sydney United Sports Centre

Jason Culina faces a huge challenge in just his second regular season match in charge of Sydney United 58 as they take on rivals Blacktown City FC.

The Reds went down 1-0 against Marconi in the opening week of the season but were unlucky not to take more away for from the clash.

Chris Payne and Panny Nikas are hoping to find some form in attackand should be better with an extra week under their belt.

Blacktown City also struggled to find the back of the net in round 1 albeit with a man down after a scoreless stalemate with Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium.

New signing Charles Mendy showed glimpses of his skill in attack while Connor Evans delivered an impressive start to the campaign with a man of the match performance.

The pair will be key contributors if Blacktown is to secure their first win of the season along with their new Maltese International in Mitchell Mallia.

United 58 are traditionally strong at home and will be out to give their fans the win they want.

Sutherland Sharks FC v Sydney FC, 6.30pm Saturday at Seymour Shaw

Sutherland Sharks will be determined to claim their first win of the season when they host Sydney FC on Saturday.

Grant Lee’s side suffered defeat in a physical clash with local rivals Rockdale City Suns in Round 1 but will be fired up to give their home fans plenty to cheer about.

New signing and former Hyundai A-League defender Jacob Tratt proved to be an inspired signing for the Sutherland club and will once again lead the defence against the young stars of Sydney FC.

Robbie Stanton’s Young Sky Blues had a fast start to the season with a 3-1 win against Hakoah Sydney City East thanks to a hat trick from former Sharks star Jeremy Cox.

While Cox’s incredible performance took much of the limelight, a composed display from Sam McIllhatton was key to the victory for Sydney.

If the pair click again in round two it could be another win on the cards for Sydney FC.

Hakoah Sydney City East v Manly United FC, 3pm Sunday at Hensley Athletic Field 

It was a tough opening to the season for Hakoah Sydney City East and they will be looking to bounce back when they host reigning Champions Manly United on Sunday.

Coach Gavin Rae’s side struggled to contain the youth of Sydney FC and are sure to have learnt a few early lessons.

Winger Anthony Frangie was one of Hakoah’s best in the loss and should be able to back up with another big performance this time around.

Manly were given a bit of a reality check in round 1 as they were defeated by APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

Paul Dee’s squad had their moments in the loss and will need to find more consistency if they are to return to the winners circle.

Manly have proven winners with the likes of skipper Jamie Lobb and keeper Dylan Mitchell in their corner, the Northern Beaches side will be hoping to pick up all three points in Sydney’s East on Sunday.

Wollongong Wolves FC v Rockdale City Suns FC, 3pm Sunday at WIN Stadium

Wollongong Wolves set out to prove they have taken their game to another level at the start of the season and if their round 1 performance is anything to go by they are surely on the right path.

A 0-0 draw against Blacktown City may have lacked the goals but Jacob Timpano would’ve been happy with how his side played.

Against Rockdale City Suns they will have another big challenge and star imports Takuya Nozawa and Yuzo Tashiro will be the men leading the charge.

Rockdale nabbed a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a moment of brilliance against Sutherland Sharks but will need to offer much more going forward if they are to taste victory at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium fortress.

APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC v Sydney Olympic FC, 5.30pm Sunday at Lambert Park

APIA Leichhardt Tigers had a perfect start to the season and a return to home ground Lambert Park is sure to inspire them to another great performance.

Striker Jordan Murray and midfielder Tasuku Sekiya were the main stars for APIA in last round’s comeback win and will be tasked with doing the same against their inner-west rivals.

After conceding an early goal against Manly, APIA had to get their game on track. They will be focused on firing from the opening whistle this time around.

Sydney Olympic were also round 1 winners with the departure of their coach ahead of the season proving to have limited impact on their form.

The club’s new Spanish import, former La Liga player Alejandro Sanchez Lopez caught the attention of many at Belmore, and will be one to watch at Lambert Park.

New Olympic boss Abbas Saad had the Belmore based team firing on all cylinders in their victory over Bonnyrigg White Eagles.

APIA will be a bigger challenge for Olympic but neither side will be making it easy for their opposition.

Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC v Marconi Stallions FC, 5pm Sunday at Bonnyrigg Sports Club

Bonnyrigg White Eagles hope their first home game of the season can kick start their 2018 campaign after a Round 1 loss.

It will be a huge day for the club as they will be celebrating its 50th year anniversary that evening so a win for the club and its past heroes will be what Brian Brown will be looking for in front of what should be a healthy crowd.

They take on local rivals Marconi Stallions who are riding high after their first National Premier Leagues NSW win after being relegated in 2015.

The White Eagles dominated for most of their round 1 clash and will feel they should’ve taken more away from the contest.

One player that made an impression against the Blues was the club’s new South Korean signing in Jewook Woo who will be the man to watch on Sunday.

Their performance proves they are not far off from where they need to be to compete with the top teams.

Marconi on the other hand will be riding the momentum from their win against Sydney United 58 and will be an improved side after their first hit out.

Coach Peter Tsekenis will once again be urging his troops to win at all costs and its that mentality that has kept the Stallions riding high for the past year.

It is sure to be an exciting clash.