Hakoah Dismantle the White Eagles In Relegation Battle
The Bonnyrigg White Eagles hopes of National Premier Leagues NSW survival took a massive blow on Saturday night going down 3-0 to relegation rivals Sydney City East at Bonnyrigg Sports Ground.
Hakoah inflicted the damage with three goals during a fifteen minute flurry starting just before the interval.
James Combes rose highest from a corner on the stroke of half time before two more goals in the second period, each to Anthony Frangie and Takayuki Noji.
It was a massive win for Gavin Rae’s Hakoah outfit, taking a massive step toward survival.
Andre De Jong had the first half chance of the match after four minutes, forcing James Chronopoulos into a low save.
Anthony Frangie then had a golden chance in the 17th minute, getting onto the end of a great Takayuki Noji ball, only to tap his effort wide of the goal.
The White Eagles first chance came in the 35th minute, Asmir Kadric forcing Anthony Bouzanis into a fine save.
Chronopoulos then pulled of a great save of his own three minutes later, keeping out a strong Frangie effort.
Hakoah kept pressing and two minute before half time Oliver Green had a shot deflected just wide of the top corner.
In the final seconds of the half Hakoah hit the front.
James Combes rose highest at the near post to head into the top right corner of the goal.
Frangie had the first chance of the second half, shooting toward goal only for Chronopoulos to spill the effort before fouling De Jong for a penalty.
Frangie picked up the ball and slotted it straight down the middle of the goal.
It was three in the 59th minute as Takayuki Noki tapped home from only a metre or so out getting onto a low cross from the right.
Peterson came close in the 69th minute, but his volley was blocked by a Hakoah defender.
It could’ve been four in the 89th minute but Frangie shot wide of the target.
Peterson had another effort in the 90th minute but his effort went well over the bar.
Hakoah coach was Gavin Rae was pleased with the effort and professionalism of his side.
“The character from the boys from start to finish was great considering we have quite a young team,” he said.
“Results haven’t really good lately and to come a produce a performance like that is what we needed.”
Despite Wednesday’s FFA Cup loss, Hakoah recovered to take all three points.
“We were gutted with Wednesday but this was a really important game for us and I’m delighted we got the three points tonight,” said Rae.
A disappointed White Eagles coach Milan Susak lamented defensive errors for his side’s defeat.
“We shot ourselves in the foot and conceded three soft goals. Soft goals we’ve been conceding all season,” Susak said.
“When you give away 12 penalties in a season and don’t save one it’s difficult. I don’t think a team has ever given away that many penalties in a season before.”
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0
Hakoah Sydney City East 3 (Combes 45+ 1’, Frangie 53’, Noki 59’)
Bonnyrigg Sports Ground, Bonnyrigg
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Referee: C. Fisher
Assistant referee: A. Giev and P. Teleki
4th Official: C. Wright
Bonnyrigg White Eagles: 1. Chronopoulos, 2. Avery (22. Woo 55’), 3. Vrankovic (12. Parenta 80’), 7. Diaz (10. Adeli 55’), 9. Peterson, 11. Kadric, 14. Smith, 15. Miller, 16. Gallaway, 17. O’Rourke, 18. Gil.
Substitues not used: 21. Bradasevic, 4. Krljar.
Yellow cards: N/A
Red cards: N/A
Hakoah Sydney City East: 1. Bouzanis, 3. Kouta, 5. Stamatellis, 8. Green, 10. De Jong (16. Orchard 83’), 11. Crighton (12. Roberts 77’), 13. Ezekiel, 14. Frangie, 19. Cox, 20. Combes, 60. Noji.
Substitutes not used: 25. Ephraim, 30. Eldridge, 21. Gauthier.
Yellow cards: N/A
Red cards: N/A
By National Premier Leagues Reporter Nikola Pozder