Manly United defeated by young Sky Blues
Sydney FC took care of Manly United with a 2-1 victory at Valentine Sports Park to gift the Sky Blues yet another three big points in round 19 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
The hosts built on their late win last week with another positive result.
Hayden Matthews volleyed home from a free kick then Alen Harbas drilled home from the spot to secure the three points.
Manly United FC were industrious but were unable to find a second goal on a night which was decided on set pieces. Seiya Kambayashi did equalise for Manly United in the 54th minute with a superb free kick in the open contest.
The action was thick and fast from the opening whistle. Jesse Piriz curled one wide for Manly United FC while Oscar Fryer had his shot deflected wide in the 5th minute.
Manly United FC went close through the magic feet of Bruno Mendes. He unfurled a snapshot which went straight to the bread basket of Sydney FC custodian Adam Pavlesic.
The visitors kept pushing forward and had another chance. This time Dom Ferguson was on the end of a slick move which Pavlesic pushed wide.
Sydney FC started to find their rhythm from set pieces. The ball was swung in from the right and Benjamin Gibson nodded wide of the mark.
Chances continued to flow at both ends. Manly United’s Japanese star import Kambayashi cut inside well before he carved his shot wide of the mark.
Sydney FC were the first to find the back of the net in the 26th minute. The Sky Blues showed why they are the set piece masters in the NPL NSW Men’s competition as a resulting free kick was smashed home by Hayden Matthews to make it 1-0.
There was a late push from Manly United FC to find an equaliser just before the break. The visitors forced Pavlesic into a pair of saves despite the offside flag being raised and then Hunter Elliot thrashed over.
Coming out of the break, Sydney FC felt just fine.
The Sky Blues had a quick counterattack which ended with Louis Agosti shooting straight at Manly United keeper Levi Kaye.
Manly United FC gave the hosts a taste of their own medicine with a great equaliser. Kambayashi whipped a free kick into the net in the 54th minute and it was game on.
Both sides set a frantic pace in the second half. Manly United FC were energised by the equaliser while Sydney FC aimed to catch their opponents on the counter.
Sydney FC then took the lead from the spot. Oscar Fryer was taken down after a shot. Alen Harbas stepped up and the Sky Blues top scorer made it 2-1 after 65 minutes.
The substitutes for Manly United FC almost made an instant impact. Marcus Lal was involved in the attack and Lucas Rainbird had a header deflect wide.
The Sky Blues were dangerous on the counter. Defender Nathan Paull strode forward to start the move which ended with Harbas shooting right at Kaye.
Kambayashi tried to replicate the magic from a free kick in the 80th minute. He went low with his delivery but it was taken easily by Pavlesic.
The visitors had another free kick in the 90th minute. This time Mendes stepped up and fired his effort right at Pavlesic.
Post match Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren reflected on the result for the Sky Blues who triumphed despite having some key absentees.
“It wasn’t our prettiest footballing performance but we’re missing a lot of players so there was an opportunity for boys who don’t usually get a start.
“They changed their formation and had more of the ball with that. We defended well and limited their chances. I am happy with the resillience from the side tonight.” said Van Weeren.
While for Manly United FC coach Patrick Zwaanswijk, it was a case of his side failing to take their chances that resulted in the club’s tenth loss of the 2023 campaign.
“It was a transition game for both sides tonight.
“We couldn’t control the ball well enough and Sydney FC did well on the counter.
“We started better, then they found the goal.
“We came out better in the second and scored a fantastic free kick. It was a very open game and Sydney FC worked hard for the result.
“We were close several times but didn’t do enough to win.” said Zwaanswijk.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 2 (Matthews ‘26, Harbas ‘65)
Manly United FC 1 (Kambayashi ‘54)
Friday 9 June 2023
Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris & Alexis Johnson
Fourth Officials: Charbel Geha
Sydney FC: 3. Nathan Paull, 6. Matthew Scarcella, 7. Ben Gibson, 8. Kealey Adamson, 10. Alen Harbas (14. Ayouk Mow ‘78), 13. Hayden Matthews, 18. Oscar Priestman, 21. Louis Agosti, 30. Adam Pavlesic, 32. Oscar Fryer (39. Oscar Gultekin ‘90+1), 34. Max Buratto (2. Cameron Fong ‘85)
Unused subs: 20. Max Vartuli, 24. Jared Middleton, 33. Will Kennedy
Yellow cards: Harbas ‘34
Red cards:
Manly United FC: 3. Jesse Piriz, 4. James Oates (12. Kristin Santich ‘68), 7. Seiya Kambayashi, 8. Dominic Ferguson, 10. Bruno Mendes, 19. Alen Aganovic (9. Benjamin Koop ‘45), 20. Levi Kaye, 22. Bilal Belkadi, 23. Harry McCarthy (31. Marcus Lal ‘68), 29. Hunter Elliot, 41. Stefan Visscher (18. Lucas Rainbird ‘68)
Unused subs: 30. Jay Coates, 39. Stefano Rossello
Yellow cards:
Red cards:
Player Ratings:
3: Oscar Fryer (SFC)
2: Kealey Adamson (SFC)
1: Seiya Kambayashi (MU)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
