Points shared at Edensor Park
An inspired performance by shot stopper Thomas Manos has helped Sydney United 58 claim a point against rivals Sydney Olympic after a 1-1 draw at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.
The talented United 58 goalkeeper made save after save to stop a relentless Olympic attack in a thrilling match between the traditional rivals.
Peter Simonoski’s 60th minute goal saw the home side take the lead early in the second half.
However, Olympic was quick to respond, with Radovan Pavicevic equalising for the visitors in the 63rd minute to finish the game square.
A late flurry from the visitors threatened to pinch all three points but United 58 clung on to secure a hard earned point.
It was a tight first half for both sides as the game travelled from end to end with fans sitting at the edge of their seat hoping that one of their team’s opportunities would make an impact.
Olympic was unlucky not to be on the scoreboard after 55 minutes, coming out firing after the break to create an abundance of opportunities muffled out by some quality goalkeeping from Sydney United 58’s Manos.
Jack Stewart took a shot in the 50th minute which was deflected spectacularly by Manos only to land at the feet of Alex Sanchez.
Sanchez then took the shot, but it was well defended by the home side.
Olympic came back wanting more in the 58th minute with Jinya An intercepting a ball from United 58 to let off a shot, which again was deflected by Manos.
Olympic followed with another shot on target, but Manos bounced up to keep the visitors scoreless.
Sydney United 58 opened scoring in the 60th minute, capitalising on a speedy counter attack to make their way on to the scoreboard.
Simonoski used his pace to run in between Olympic’s central defence to collect a huge overhead ball from Tariq Maia and send it out of reach of Olympic custodian Paul Henderson to knock home his sixth for the year.
Sanchez looked to retaliate immediately for Olympic, sending a shot just outside the stick’s moments later.
Thomas Whiteside sent an impressive ball straight to the head of Pavicevic in the 62nd minute, but the attacker’s header couldn’t find the target.
Olympic’s perseverance paid off in the 63rd minute with Sanchez and Pavicevic pairing up to equalise.
Sanchez made a dangerous run and cut the ball back in to Pavicevic who fired into the netting from inside the penalty area.
It was his first for the season.
Both sides were searching for more in the final quarter of the game, with Patrick Antelmi coming close for the hosts late in the game.
Antelmi sent a stunner towards goal in the 85th minute, but Henderson put his skills on display, pulling off a excellent save to keep the game at 1-1.
Sydney United 58 coach Miro Vlastelica said he thought the draw was a “fair result.”
“At the end of the day I think a draw was a fair result,” he said.
“Today was always going to be a test.”
Olympic coach Abbas Saad was pleased with the opportunities his team created in the game
“It was a tough game,” he explained.
“We had some good chances; their keeper was outstanding.”
“Both teams played really well and had a go.
“It was a good game to watch.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 1 (Peter Simonoski 60’)
Sydney Olympic FC 1 (Radovan Pavicevic 63’)
Sunday 12th May, 2019
Sydney United Sport Centre
Referee: Craig Fisher
Assistant referees: Scott Edeling, Nathan Wotton
Fourth official: Nicholas Gongolidis
Sydney United 58: 3. Jordan Roberts, 5. Anthony Tomelic, 7. Peter Simonoski, 10. Sebastian Gallego Berriel (12. Liam Rose), 11. Yianni Perkatis, 15. Tariq Maia (9. Patrick Antelmi), 17. Matthew Bilic, 18. Glen Trifiro, 20. Cristian Gonzalez (8. Matthew Sim), 21. Thomas Manos, 22, Yianni Fragogiannis
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Daniel Sadaka, 6. Petar Markovic,
Yellow Cards: Yianni Fragogiannis, Jordan Roberts
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney Olympic FC: 1. Paul Henderson, 2. Thomas Whiteside, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 7. Will Angel (19. Darcy Burgess), 8. Jason Madonis, 9. Radovan Pavicevic (33. Niko Tsattalios), 10. Harris Gaitatzis (6. Nikola Kuleski), 11. Jinya An, 12. Zachary Mackenzie, 14. Alex Sanchez, 17. Jack Stewart
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Ezequiel Consoni, 25. Dimi Petratos,
Yellow Cards: Radovan Pavicevic
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Thomas Manos (SU)
2 – Alex Sanchez (SO)
1 – Thomas Whiteside (SO)
Written by National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Madeline Riley
@madelineriley23
