United 58 humbled by energetic Ilinden
Rockdale Ilinden signaled its Premiership and Championship ambitions for 2022 upstaging Sydney United 58 with 15 minutes of magic to secure a 2-0 victory at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Goals to Alex Masciovecchio and Alec Urosevski within the first 15 minutes of the match from United 58 errors were enough to secure a valuable three points for Ilinden in a tough trip to United 58’s home ground.
Despite putting up a good fight, the hosts weren’t able to convert their chances and the defensive strength of Rockdale was on display as they kept a clean sheet against one of the most dangerous teams in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
Rockdale started out strong in the match, creating a goal-scoring opportunity in just the third minute.
Putting a lot of pressure on their hosts, Ilinden managed to get a shot on target through Urosevski but ‘keeper Danijel Nizic managed to knock the attempt away.
The visitors maintained the pressure and didn’t have to wait long to open scoring.
Yianni Perkatis’ backwards pass was intercepted by Urosevski, who made a run into the area.
He let off a shot but it was deflected by Nizic and subsequently cleared off the line by United 58 captain Adrian Vlastelica.
Valstelica’s clearance fell to young gun Masciovecchio just right of the goalmouth and the youngster put it away to score the first of the game.
A strong challenge saw United 58’s Andreas Agamemnonos given a yellow card from referee Adrian Arndt in the 14th minute, with the resulting free kick giving the visitors a great opportunity.
Rockdale defender Mitchell Stamatellis sent the ball over the top to Masciovecchio who collected but fell to the ground.
From the ground he pushed the ball on to Urosevski in a central position, who then sent a brilliant left-footed strike past the face of Nizic and into the top right corner.
It was a worthy strike from one of the NPL NSW Men’s most lethal marksman as he claimed his third for the season.
Despite battling out the remainder of the first stanza, Rockdale entered the half-time break with a two-goal advantage.
Coming back to the field with plenty of fire, both teams created opportunities to make their mark on the game in the second stanza.
Urosevski came looking for a second in the 52nd minute but he sent his strike blazing over the bar.
Stamatellis intercepted a ball in the 59th minute, setting up Peter Kekeris, but Kekeris’ shot was tipped over the bar by Nizic.
Kekeris’ pace was proving to be a problem for the home side as time after time, the pacey winger was mesmerizing his opponents with his speed and skill.
Patrick Antelmi, who came on as a second half substitute, managed to find the back of the net United 58 in the 72nd minute, as some combination play between Glen Trifiro, Kyle Cimenti, and Jordan Roberts saw Antelmi with the ball in front of the goal, but the offside flag was raised leaving the home side without a goal.
Trifiro set up an opportunity for Chris Payne in the 76th minute, but Ilinden’s Lachie Griffiths used his body to deflect the shot.
The home side came back for more in the 79th minute, this time through Mihael Marcic.
Vlastelica sent a superb ball over the top to the youngster in prime position inside the area, but his effort was deflected by United custodian David Bradasevic.
The deflected ball fell again to Marcic, but his strike soared high over the bar and with it United 58’s hope of salvaging something from the match.
Adrian Arndt blew for full time and it was game, set and match for the Ilinden boys who could have had a couple more goals if it weren’t for the goalkeeping heroics of Nizic.
Overall it was a good performance from a club sprinkled with stars as Ilinden’s bench had the likes of Tomoki Wada, Bai Antoniou, Will Mutch, Nikola Kuleski and Daniel Araujo all players who’d certainly feature in any other rival NPL NSW Men’s squad.
Rockdale Ilinden coach Steve Zoric was pleased his team was able to effectively execute their game plan in the match.
“We kept a clean sheet and scored a few goals…I’m happy with that,” he said.
“We went on with it then we sort of invited a bit of pressure as part of the game plan.
“I’m happy with that and now onto the next game.
“I’d say we’re going to start hitting our stride a lot more and we’ll start dominating.”
Sydney United 58 coach Joe Haywood said he is hoping for more consistency from his side after their recent results.
“We’re not in the worst place but we’re not where we want to be as a club,” he explained.
“One thing we need to get into our game is just consistency.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 0
Rockdale Ilinden 2 (Alex Masciovecchio 7’, Alec Urosevski 15’)
Sunday, 10th April, 2022
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Joon Park and Samuel Quinn
Fourth Official: Ayad Naji
Sydney United 58 FC: 1. Danijel Nizic, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5. Anthony Tomelic (3. Jordan Roberts 45’), 6. Christopher Payne, 8. Kyle Cimenti, 10. Devante Clut (13. Jordan Ivancic 66’), 11.Yianni Perkatis, 14. Andreas Agamemnonos (21. Mihael Marcic 78’), 15. Tariq Maia (9. Patrick Antelmi 45’), 17. Matthew Billic, 18. Glen Trifiro
Substitutes Not Used: 16. Adrian Knez, 55. Goran Palecek,
Yellow Cards: Agamemnonos 14’, Perkatis 21’, Marcic 84’, Vlastelica 88’
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale Ilinden: 1. David Bradasevic, 2. Daniel Petkovski, 3. Lachie Griffiths, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 7. Alec Urosevksi (10. Tomoki Wada 72’), 11. Peter Kekeris, 14. Brayden Sorge, 19. Patrick Savor (6. Daniel Araujo 65’), 23. Jaden Casella, 25. Alex Masciovecchio (9. Bai Antoniou 63’), 88. Chris McStay
Substitutes Not Used: 5. William Mutch, 8. Nicola Kuleski 20. Matthew Marrum, 70. James Ryan
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Mitchell Stamatellis (RI)
2 – Alex Masciovecchio (RI)
1 – Alec Urosevski (RI)
