Sydney Olympic Grand Final Bound After Defeating United
Sydney Olympic is one game away from securing a historic National Premier Leagues NSW Championship double after defeating Sydney United 58 FC 4-0 in the Major-Semi final at Lambert Park on Sunday.
A hat-trick to Spanish import Alex Sanchez, along with one goal to Olympic skipper Jason Madonissecured the win for the blues, with their robust defence keeping Sydney United 58 off the scoreboard.
The victory for Olympic was their third consecutive win over Sydney United 58 and capped off their Premiership winning season with a direct run to the Grand Final.
Sydney United 58 were determined to make a positive start to the game, sending three shots towards goal in the first 12 minutes, but Paul Henderson proved staunch in defending the sticks.
Chris Payne created the first chance for United 58 in the 6th minute but sent the ball flying over the bar.
The visitors had another opportunity in the 10th minute, with Payne making a promising forward run, which was cleaned up by the Olympic custodian.
Max Burgess looked for the first for Olympic in the 15th minute, sending a shot blazing towards goal, but Thomas Manos managed to deny Burgess the opener.
Sanchez would be the first on the scoreboard in the 20th minute, heading home a goal.
Max Burgess sent a shot towards the sticks which was deflected to Radovan Pavicevic.
Pavicevic then sent a header to Manos, who deflected the ball back out to Sanchez, who was able to knock the ball to the back of the net.
Madonis doubled the lead for Olympic only ten minutes later, capitalising on a clearance from Sydney United 58 which saw the ball fall to his feet outside the box.
The skipper fired a powerful shot into the back of the net to take the lead to two.
Sanchez didn’t wait long to further extend the lead, landing a ball in the back of the net just two minutes later.
Some brilliant teamwork from Olympic saw the ball work its way from Henderson to Pavicevic on the wing, who slid the ball to Sanchez.
The striker sent the ball over Manos into the back of the net to score his second of the night.
Despite some promising opportunities from the visitors, Sydney United were unable to get on the scoreboard, hitting the sheds for the break without a goal.
Max Burgess kicked off the second half with promise, making a run towards goal, but sent his shot to the hands of Manos.
Sanchez landed the trifecta in the 63th minute, working his way through United 58’s defence to score.
The Spaniard was met with a standing ovation from Olympic when he made his way off the field in the 77th minute, after a sensational performance.
Sydney United 58 coach, Miro Vlastelica, explained that despite another loss to Olympic, his team would move forward and prepare to take on APIA for a second time in finals next weekend.
“I thought the first 20 minutes we were definitely in the game and there were a few lapses in concentration and they punished us.”
“A good side like Olympic is going to do that.
“Once you concede in finals football it’s always hard.
“We just move on now, work hard through the week and prepare for APIA.”
Olympic coach, Abbas Saad, was very pleased his team took the simplest road to the Grand Final.
“I’m very happy, excited obviously for the boys.”
“We didn’t want to fall at this stage and that was the message throughout the week.”
Looking toward the Grand Final, Saad explained he would prepare for either opponent.
“We’ve just got to worry about ourselves, we’ll prepare for United or APIA.
“The Grand Final is just a special day and it’s a one-off game and I think the team that’s going to turn up and play the better football will probably win, and that’s what we’re preparing for.”
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 4 (Alejandro Sanchez 20’, 32’, 63’, Jason Madonis 30’)
Sydney United 58 0
Sunday August 26, 2018
Lambert Park, Leichardt
Referee: M Weiner
Assistant referees: N Backo & J Adabjou
Fourth offical: D Stack
Sydney Olympic: 1. Paul Henderson, 2. Tom Whiteside, 7. William Angel (33. Niko Tsattalios), 8. Jason Madonis, 9. Radovan Pavicevic (18. Brendan Hooper), 10. Max Burgess, 11. Jinya An, 12. Zachary Mackenzie, 14. Alejandro Sanchez Lopez (5. James Demetriou), 19. Darcy Burgess, 23. Riley Woodcock
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Eze Consoni, 21. Stephen Athanaseris
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United 58: 2. Christian Gonzales (7. NaimRahimi), 3. Jordan Roberts, 6. Christopher Payne, 8. Matthew Sim, 11. Yianni Perkatis (4. Luke Vlastelica), 12. Shannon Cole, 14. Nick Stavroulakis (5. Anthony Vrlic), 15. Tariq Maia, 18. Glen Trifiro, 21. Thomas Manos, 22. Yianni Fragogiannis
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Sam Perre, 40. John Hall
Yellow Cards: Christopher Payne 65’, Nick Stavroulakis 65’, Luke Vlastelica 83’
Red Cards: Nil
By National Premier Leagues reporter Madeline Reilly
