Points shared as NWS Spirit FC and Sydney FC draw blanks
NWS Spirit FC held a youthful Sydney FC side to a 0-0 draw in the opening round of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition on a balmy Saturday evening at Christie Park.
It was the baby Sky Blues who had the more goalscoring opportunities outside the opening 15 minutes with plenty of debutants making the step up to first grade.
However, the hosts NWS Spirit had the games first couple of chances. The first seeing two new faces combine with Tasmanian born Gianni Bouzoukis squaring it to Jake Chidiac at the far post whose shot went high and wide of the target in the third minute.
Luiz Lobo then flicked a shot wide from the top of the six-yard box after a Jesse Michel found him from the left on five minutes.
Sydney FC’s first effort of note coming five minutes later. Zachary De Jesus threaded a through ball to Tiago Quintal who steered his effort into the side-netting.
The young Sky Blues then had the better goalscoring opportunities from that point forward. Bailey Callaghan cut the ball back to Quintal forcing a good diving save from Marques to deny him in the 25th minute.
Marques then went on to deny both Marin France and Quintal once again in the space of a minute in the 38th minute. First denying France onto the near post from an angle before a diving stop shortly after denied a Quintal effort heading for the top corner.
It took a while for the teams to settle after the break, but the first chance of note came in the 58th minute. Callaghan shot from the angle on the left which was saved well by Marques.
The visitors had their best chance of the second half on 77 minutes. The ball was worked right to left inside the box before Jai Rose skied the ball over the bar from inside the six-yard box cutting in from the left.
One last opportunity fell to Quintal before the final whistle, but his strike sailed over the bar from inside the area.
While at the other end, the host struggled in the final third with only a few half chances falling their way in the second half. The most dangerous chance of theirs cleared away after Jake Chidiac squared it with five minutes left.
Sydney FC assistant coach Howard Fondyke was proud of his side after the game.
“It was fantastic to see so many young boys make their debut tonight and prove that these boys can really compete.
“All these guys have potential to play at higher levels and showed glimpses of quality and we could have walked away with a victory tonight.”
While NWS Spirit FC head coach David Perkovic was looking for improvement following his side’s scoreless draw.
“We started well and probably had chances to score two or free goals. Bit like our first game last season with the game being a bit frantic.
“We had some issues with player availability today and the effort was there. There’s a lot of improvement to come from us.”
Match Stats
NWS Spirit 0
Sydney FC 0
Saturday 17th February, 2024
Christie Park, Macquarie Park
Referee: Sam Kelly
Assistant Referees: Joel Dunajcik & Sean Lacy
Fourth Official: Hayden Michlmayr
NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques (GK), 4. Jarred Mckinley (7. Richie Darko 45’), 8. Grant Cornwell, 9. Gianni Bouzoukis (3. Kyle Shaw 60’), 11. Ollie Wiggin, 13. Simon Nicholas (18. Zachary Cianci 68’), 16. Ante Bakmaz, 17. Jake Chidiac, 19. Jesse Michel, 20. Jared Lum, 21. Luiz Lobo (15. Brayden Burr 80’).
Substitutes Not Used: 5. Bradley Whitworth, 22. Jack Greenwood (GK)
Yellow Cards: Shaw 62’. Chidiac 74’
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 3. Tyler Williams, 4. Joseph Calusic, 5. Richard Nkomo, 6. Dylan Rose, 8. Lachlan Middleton (22. Will Kennedy 60’), 9. Bailey Callaghan (33. Matthais Macallister 81’), 10. Tiago Quintal, 11. Marin France (2. Noah Mathie 71’), 13. Jacob Brazete (35. Jai Rose 71’), 21. Zachary De Jesus, 30. Gus Hoefsloot (GK).
Substitutes Not Used: 14. Jared Middleton, 40. Alexander Zaverdinos
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3- Christopher Marques (NWS)
2- Joseph Calusic (SFC)
1- Tiago Quintal (SFC)
By Justin Smith
