Rockdale Ilinden’s final push for a the 2023 NPL NSW Men’s Premiership came to a dramatic halt on Friday evening after Paul Dee’s men were left heartbroken at Valentine Sports Park following a 92nd minute equaliser as the match ended 2-2 ultimately handing the title to APIA Leichhardt FC with two matches to spare.
Bailey Callaghan was Illinden’s slayer as the substitute scored the decisive equaliser deep into stoppage time following his side’s impressive start to the match where Jaiden Kucharski got Sydney FC off to the best start with the game’s opener in the 16th minute.
As Ilinden have been throughout the course of the season, their resilience kicked in as Jaden Casella scored his side’s equaliser in the 31st minute before Golden Boot frontrunner Alec Uroesvski netted his 27th of the season.
The Rockdale’s skipper and his team’s hopes of at least pushing the Premiership to APIA for at least another day however fell dramatically short as the match ended 2-2 a-piece consolidating Dee’s men to fight for second on the ladder.
Knowing they needed a win to stay in contention for the title, Rockdale Ilinden started fast. Bai Antoniou had a shot go wide then Diego Celis forced Sydney FC keeper Adam Pavlesic into action.
Celis was a key figure in the action early for Rockdale Ilinden. He volleyed an effort right at Pavleisc which saw the shotstopper parry it away.
Sydney FC settled into the game and found the opener. Ben Gibson threaded a ball through for Kucharski to find the bottom corner for 1-0 in the 16th minute.
Buoyed by their goal, Sydney FC pushed forward to double their delight. Kucharski and Gibson were denied at point blank range by Rockdale Ilinden keeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.
Rockdale Ilinden looked to the league’s top goalscorer Alec Urosevski to find an equaliser. He was denied twice by Pavlesic in quick succession.
The visitors did find the equaliser in the 36th minute. Antoniou strode forward on the left, had his effort parried into the path of Jaden Casella to make it 1-1.
Sydney FC looked snatch back the lead from the set piece. Mitchell Glasson stood over the free kick and sent it right at Devenish-Meares.
Rockdale Ilinden went close to completing the comeback through Antoniou. He took the free space from the defence then unfurled a shot which Pavlesic punched away.
Sydney FC kept pushing to grab their lead back. Jacob Brazete shot into the side netting then Gibson forced Devenish-Meares into another stop.
It was Rockdale Ilinden FC who found the back of the net. Celis nodded it down for Urosevski who calmly fired home his 27th of the season to make it 2-1 in the 57th minute.
The visitors had a chance for a two-goal advantage from a free kick. Celis was delicate with his delivery and it deflected away for a corner.
Sydney FC kept looking for an equaliser and went close through Callaghan. The ball fell to the substitute on the edge of the box and he forced Devenish-Meares into action.
Sydney FC kept pushing until the final whistle. Kucharski danced around a few defenders but fizzed his effort wide of the right post.
The hosts snatched a point late through Callaghan in dramatic circumstances. He tapped home in the 92nd minute to make it 2-2 after some great build-up play by Kucharski.
Rockdale Ilinden FC had a few late chances to score a third but couldn’t find the back of net which ended their title hopes.
Speaking post-match, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren was delighted with the effort from his squad in such an open and exciting contest.
“It was an entertaining game with both teams having chances and the keepers made some terrific saves throughout the game.
“It is a positive point for the group to be able to find a late equaliser as we look to finish on a high against Sutherland Sharks.” said Van Weeren.
Rockdale Ilinden FC coach Paul Dee reflected on the draw which all but ended their push for the Premiership although handled themselves astutely in a great season which saw them playing some of the most entertaining and free-flowing football along with unearthing some fresh new faces that took the league by storm.
“It is disappointing because we needed three points to stay alive in the Premiership race, to concede late in the contest was cruel.
“We had our chances to kill off the game but they are a good team and found a late goal.
“It is a big clash for us to finish off against Blacktown City FC on a high to secure second spot.” said Dee.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 2 (Kucharski ’16, Callaghan ‘90+2)
Rockdale Ilinden FC 2 (Casella ‘31, Urosevski ‘57))
Friday 18 August 2023
Valentine Sports Park #2
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Maddy Allum & Alessandro Llana
Fourth Official: Hayden Michlmayr
Sydney FC: 6. Matthew Scarcella, 7. Ben Gibson (37. Bailey Callaghan ‘65), 9. Mitchell Glasson (21. Louis Agosti ‘76), 13. Hayden Matthews, 16. Joseph Calusic, 25. Jaiden Kucharski, 27. Wataru Kamijo (12. Lachlan Middleton ‘68), 28. Meliwethu Nkomo (32. Oscar Fryer ‘76), 30. Adam Pavlesic, 36. Jacob Brazete, 38. Zachary De Jesus (2. Cameron Fong ‘76)
Unused subs: 40. Alexander Zaverdinos
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 2. Daniel Collins, 3. Lachlan Griffiths, 4. Nikola Ujdur, 7. Alec Urusevski, 9. Bai Antoniou, 11. Lochlan Constable (42. Benjamin Wass ‘85), 14. Brayden Sorge, 20. Harrison Devenish-Meares, 21. Diego Celis (30. Trelawney Brown ‘78), 23. Jaden Casella, 66. Mattieu Cordier (17. Iain Ramsay ‘45)
Unused subs: 1. Dov Baron, 16. Brae Ovens, 34. Jason Cakovski
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Jaiden Kucharski (SFC)
2: Bai Antoniou (RI)
1: Adam Pavlesic (SFC)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
