Sydney FC sink United 58
A hungry young and firing Sydney FC outfit took care of Australia Cup Round of 32 entrants Sydney United 58 on a wintery Friday evening thanks to a Cameron Fong header as they stole all three points in a 1-0 victory at the Sydney United Sports Centre.
The young Sky Blues had to work for the three points against a dogged Sydney United 58 defence.
Fong got the winner from Matthew Scarcella’s cross in the 66th minute to give them three points to continue their rise on the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s ladder.
For Sydney United 58, they worked hard but weren’t able to fashion many chances. Their best chances came from the set piece and a superb strike from substitute Tasei Kaneko which forced Adam Pavlesic into a save.
The game took time to get into it’s groove. Sydney FC held most of the possession but weren’t able to force Sydney United 58 keeper Luke Cukar into a save.
The hosts had the first shot in anger in the 7th minute. A corner routine found it’s way to Yianni Fragogiannis who thrashed an effort over the bar.
Sydney FC then started to surge forward. Louis Agosti and Oscar Fryer worked the combination well before the former shot well over the bar.
Ben Gibson tried to spark Sydney FC into the lead. The striker twisted past his marker and faded an effort wide of Cukar’s right post.
Sydney United 58 continued to be dangerous off set pieces.
Captain Adrian Vlastelica rose highest from the corner and flicked his effort over.
The best chance of the half fell to Sydney FC. Gibson stood over the central free-kick in the 40th minute and his curling effort was pushed away by Cukar.
Coming out of the break, Sydney United 58 felt just fine.
Bailey Rule fizzed in a cross which saw Christopher Payne attempt a scorpion kick but to no avail.
The Sky Blues worked well on the counter and almost found the opener. Kealey Adamson sent the ball in and it fell to Agosti who whipped it wide of the mark.
Sydney FC found the opener in the 66th minute. Matthew Scarcella whipped in a free-kick which Cameron Fong headed home to make it 1-0. It was the young gun’s first goal in the NPL NSW Men’s competition this season.
The Sky Blues almost doubled their advantage through substitute Alen Harbas. He rode a challenge well before he whistled it past the right post.
It was another substitute who was Sydney United 58’s best. Japanese import Tasei Kaneko was bright on the left, he cut inside and forced Adam Pavlesic into a save.
Sydney FC tried to secure their win in the 82nd minute. Lachlan Middleton had room to run and unfurled a shot which flew over.
Back from international duty, substitute Mitchell Glasson went close again for Sydney FC. He drove into the box but had his effort blocked twice by the defence.
Sydney United 58 had one final chance from a free-kick. Matthew Bilic tried to curl it over but only thumped the ball into the wall.
Speaking post-match, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren reflected on his delight upon picking up three points in what always is a tough place to go to.
“We had a very young team today including some 16 year olds and they put in a good performance which is a positive for the club.
“They were hard to break down, we held the ball well but didn’t create many chances in the first half.
“The second half we found the goal and probably could’ve had a few more.” said Van Weeren.
For Sydney United 58’s young shotstopper Luke Cukar, it was a disappointing result for the side who have not won their past three matches, but the custodian is enjoying gaining first grade experience.
“It was a tough result and I think we could’ve got a draw from that.
“It is a tough time from the club but we’re gonna keep working at it. I think we gave the game away but we won’t make excuses for the result.” said Cukar.
“I’m loving the opportunity and keep improving my development. I’ll just take every game as it comes from here.” he added.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 1 (Fong ‘66)
Sydney United 58 0
Friday 30 June 2023
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Danny Horstead
Assistant Referees: Charbel Geha & James Makris
Fourth Official: Matt Staples
Sydney FC: 2. Camerong Fong, 6. Matthew Scarcella, 7. Ben Gibson (10. Alen Harbas ‘58), 8. Keaey Adamson, 12. Lachlan Middleton, 13. Hayden Matthews, 16. Joseph Calusic, 21. Louis Agosti (15. Dylan Rose ‘67), 30. Adam Pavlesic, 32. Oscar Fryer (17. Mitchell Glasson ‘58), 34. Max Buratto (38. Zachary De Jesus ‘67)
Unused subs: 1. Gus Hoefsloot, 15. Dylan Rose, 33. Will Kennedy
Yellow cards: Calusic ‘51
Red cards: nil
Sydney United 58: 2. Cristian Gonzalez (7. Tasei Kaneko ‘60), 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5. Anthony Tomelic, 6. Christopher Payne, 10. Devante Clut (9. Patrick Antelmi ‘68), 14. Andreas Agamemnonos (15. Tariq Maia ‘68), 16. Ante Bakmaz, 17. Matthew Bilic, 20. Luke Cukar, 21. Yianni Fragogiannis (12. Hiyori Kawaguchi ‘24)
Unused subs: 13. Alessandro Lacalandra, 50. Ryan Warner
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Matthew Scarcella (SFC)
2: Kealey Adamson (SFC)
1: Hayden Matthews (SFC)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
