Returning Mendes the matchwinner for Manly against Sydney FC
Bruno Mendes stole the show on his return to the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s, striking late to help Manly United secure their first three points of the season with a 2-1 win over Sydney FC at Cromer Park on Saturday night.
Just days after returning to the country from his native Brazil, the Manly marksman popped up in the 87th minute to seal a dramatic come-from-behind victory over a spirited Sky Blues side.
Luka Smyth headed Sydney into the lead after 70 minutes, but composed finishes from Harry McCarthy and Mendes ensured that Patrick Zwaanswijk would secure his first win in charge of Manly, to the delight of the home fans.
In an even first stanza, clear-cut chances were few and far between.
The visitors grew into the contest and created their first clear opportunity on 20 minutes as Luca Smyth’s shot was blocked well by Jimmy Oates, before Clayton Taylor cannoned the follow up into the side netting.
Manly saw a similar sight on goal go begging five minutes later, as the returning Bruno Mendes’ shot deflected into the path of Harry McCarthy, whose first-time effort bounced wide.
Taylor came up with Sydney’s best chance of the half in the 38th minute, as his powerful strike was denied by Jack Greenwood down low to his left.
Manly nearly snatched the advantage three minutes before half time, but Jesse Piriz’s header flashed across the face of goal.
The final 45 kicked off in similar fashion, with no real highlights emerging until the hour mark.
It was the hosts who nearly broke the deadlock, as Ben Koop released an acrobatic effort that was sharply saved by Pavlesic at his near post.
In the 71st minute, the first goal of the night finally arrived. It came via a Sydney FC set piece, as Luka Smyth rose highest to nod home against the club he represented as a youngster.
The Sky Blues weren’t ahead for long, however. Just five minutes later, Harry McCarthy was played in behind and delightfully skipped past a couple of defenders to calmly slot in a quick-fire equaliser.
In an action-packed period that followed, both sides created chances to take the lead, but the decisive moment would later arrive courtesy of a familiar face.
The 87th minute saw Bruno Mendes pop up as Manly’s hero once again, marking his first appearance of the season with a well-taken goal that ensure the comeback was complete.
Speaking after his first win in charge of last season’s Grand Finalists, Zwaanswijk highlighted his side’s response to going behind.
“It was highly sought after for us (the first win), and I think we needed that little bit of confidence to get the win against a good Sydney, that had some players out due to the A-League,” the Manly Head Coach said.
“We had a good first half, created mainly from set pieces but were a bit more dominant on the ball, but the second half we were a bit hesitant in how we played.
“You can see one set piece can change the game and they scored a good header, but then there was a big shift from us which was a big plus point.
“To see the confidence we had to come back and score two fantastic goals was a very pleasing point for me.”
On the other hand, Jimmy Van Weeren was left to rue what he felt to be an undeserved outcome.
“I think we should have won that game,” the Sydney FC boss said.
“You give them two chances in the box and two bits of poor defending resulted in goals.
“It’s a learning experience, but all our fault really.”
Manly will look to go back-to-back away at Sydney United 58 next weekend, while Sydney FC will be out to bounce back when they lock horns with fellow academy outfit Bulls FC in Round 5 action.
Match Stats
Manly United: 2 (McCarthy 77’, Mendes 87’)
Sydney FC 1 (Smyth 71’)
Cromer Park, Cromer
Saturday 25th February 2023
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistants: Alexis Johnson and Alessandro Llana
Fourth Official: Isabella Mossin
Manly United: 1. Jack Greenwood, 3. Jesse Piriz, 4. Jimmy Oates (C), 5. Tom Fay, 7. Seiya Kambayashi, 9. Ben Koop (6. Finn Ashton 67’), 10. Bruno Mendes (32. Saxon Hillyer 91’), 12. Kristian Santich (31. Marcus Lal 79’), 15. Nick Rainbird (12. Lucas Rainbird 79’), 19. Alen Aganovic, 23. Harry McCarthy
Subs not used: 20. Levi Kaye, 39. Stefano Rossello
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 30. Adam Pavlesic, 4. Nathan Paull, 8. Kealey Adamson, 9. Luka Symth (37. Bailey Callahan 74’), 10. Alen Harbas, 11. Clayton Taylor, 13. Hayden Mathews, 18. Oscar Priestman (C), 21. Louis Agosti (5. Tiago Quintal 80’), 26. Zane Schreiber (33. Will Kennedy 59’), 34. Max Buratto
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Gus Hoefsloot, 22. Morrie Kamara, 36. Jacob Mclachlan
Yellow Cards: Smyth 44’, Schreiber 45’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Harry McCarthy (MUN)
2 – Jesse Piriz (MUN)
1 – Bruno Mendes (MUN)
By Football NSW Reporter and Commentator Chris Curulli (@ChrisCurulli on Twitter)
