Randazzo dazzles as Sharks defeat Olympic
Sutherland Sharks thanks to a screamer of a goal from young debutant Oliver Randazzo at Seymour Shaw Park overcame a gallant Sydney Olympic in Round 15 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
There wasn’t much splitting both sides but the majestic goal from the 16-year-old was indeed the difference and gave the Sutherland Sharks a valuable three points.
It was a box-to-box encounter in the opening part of the first stanza as both sides pressed but could not break the game open.
Sydney Olympic at one stage seemed to have the home side pinned down but had to wait for their first opportunity of the game which duly arrived in the 21st minute. Oliver Puflett flicked the ball in from the left but, in the end, it was an easy save by goalkeeper Marko Bulic.
Sutherland Sharks then found their rhythm down the other end of the pitch and in 26th minute Louis Khoury fired a rocket from the left which keeper Christopher Parsons fumbled, but the Sydney Olympic defence scrambled away the danger to spare his blushes.
In the 35th minute Randazzo attempted a shot which was deflected and goalkeeper Parsons then needed two attempts to hold the tricky ball off the line in what was a very close call.
Late in the scoreless first half, Fumoto Kamada from the left put in a cross which was only a fraction too high for Jesse Photi in the middle and his potential header from close range
After the break both sides entered the arena with what appeared to be new vigour.
Sydney Olympic came close in the 55th minute when a very dangerous Adam Parkhouse cross found Nick Fitzgerald at the far post, but the ball rushed him and the chance went begging.
A few minutes later Sutherland replied with that goal after Kamada had forced a corner. From the corner kick the ball reached Randazzo, who hit it so sweetly first time from the edge of the box that the thunderbolt ended up straight into the top corner of the net. Indeed the goal will definitely make the highlights reel for goal-of the-year at season’s end.
In the 68th minute Sutherland Sharks could have doubled their lead when Kamada stood up two Sydney Olympic players and cut back with his shot, but Ziggy Gordon cleared it away nicely for a corner in what was a fantastic piece of defending.
Late in the encounter, Darcy Burgess danced his way dangerously in the box for Sydney Olympic but he was thwarted by a very good save from goalkeeper Bulic.
The final whistle blew much to the delight of the Sharks faithful who celebrated a massive win against Olympic that further propelled them into the top half of the ladder.
Post-match, Sutherland Sharks coach Damir Prodanovic was delighted with the result.
“It was a very tough game and a game of football that both sides needed to win,” he said.
“Both sides tried to play good football and, while it was very close, it was a good performance from us and a good win.
“There are still 15 rounds to go, so we don’t really look at the points but more at the process and the performance. We prepare throughout the week for this and it was a good win against a top opponent.
“With the ball we stuck to our structure and without the ball, we were still very good and compact, and we defended very well especially in the last part of the game.”
Sydney Olympic coach Labinot Haliti was left almost speechless when thinking about the great goal that sent his side away empty handed.
“What a game and it was good football throughout,” he said.
“We seem to be receiving goals at the moment that will be seen all around the world on the highlights reel. I can name you three or four, including against Mt Druitt and tonight.
“I can’t ask anything more from my team in terms of effort and performance. We are building and we are creating chances. We are attacking and getting in the right positions, but against bombs like that what can you do?”
Match Stats
SUTHERLAND SHARKS: 1 (Randazzo 60’)
SYDNEY OLYMPIC: 0
Saturday 20th May
Seymour Shaw Park Miranda
Referee: Danny Horstead
Assistant Referees: Matt Staples and Joel Crawford
Fourth Official: Hayden Michlmayr
SUTHERLAND SHARKS: 1. Marko Bulic, 2. Takahide Umebachi, 4. Michael Stamatellis, 5. Jesse Photi (9. Hamish Lamberton 57’), 6. Brodie Clarkson, 8. Alexander Brown (10. Nick Sullivan 57’), 11. Fumoto Kamada, 14. Chris Lindsay (91. Jonty Busch 78’), 15. Nathan Grimaldi, 25. Oliver Randazzo (21. Luke Sauer 83’), 33. Louis Khoury (3. Jordan Roberts 83’)
Substitutes not used: 22. Jacob Cremen-Cowan.
Yellow Cards: Randazzo 51’, Lindsay 56’, Sullivan 84’, Kamada 89’
Red Cards: Nil
SYDNEY OLYMPIC: 20. Christopher Parsons, 2. Peter Politis, 3. Michael Neill, 5. Zygmunt Gordon, 8. Sam McIllhatton, 9. Oliver Puflett (22. Fabio Ferreira 62’), 10. Darcy Burgess, 11. Adam Parkhouse, 23. Jakob Cresnar, 29. Nick Fitzgerald (6. Jack Simmons 62’), 99. Roy O’Donovan.
Substitutes not used: 1. Nicholas Sorras, 4. Benjamin van Meurs, 12. Michael Buettner, 24. Hagi Gligor.
Yellow Cards: Mcillhatton 23’, Gordon 57’ Parsons 73’ Simmons 82’, Neill 95’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Oliver Randazzo (SS)
2 – Nathan Grimaldi (SS)
1 – Darcy Burgess (OLY)
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
