Tensions flare in fiery Sydney United 58 victory

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Sydney United 58 have opened their 2024 season account with a 2-1 road win over Central Coast Mariners in Round 1 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition on Saturday.

Tensions were high throughout the round one fixture which eventually boiled over with three players marched late in the match.

Central Coast looked the most likely to score first, Luka Smyth narrowly pushing one wide before Matej Busek’s volley cleared the crossbar.

Undeterred, Sydney United 58 continued their wing pressure which eventually paid off with offseason signings Shunta Nakamura and Carlos De Oliveira working magic with the latter scoring his first goal with his new club colours following his move from Blacktown City.

The goal sparked life into Sydney United 58, with former Mariners Academy product Matthew Hatch forcing goalkeeper Jack Warshawsky into a clutch save, before playing a part in two more narrow misses from the visitors.

Mariners looked cagey in parts thereafter but were rewarded for their resilience with 17-year-old Donatien Niyonkuru equalising in the 41st minute with a screaming volley.

Plenty of cries for fouls from Sydney United 58 were waived from the referee. The visitors were eventually gifted a penalty shot on the stroke of halftime following a boot to the head.

United ace Patrick Antelmi was ice cold as he converted for a 2-1 half-time lead in favour of the visitors.

Sydney United 58 came out firing looking to extend the lead early with three consecutive corners inside the opening minutes.

The first real chance however came to Mariners Lucas Scicluna with the youngster keeping Oliver Kalac honest close to goal, before Sydney United 58’s Antelmi forced Warshawsky into a second effort save.

Mariners Tay Hedley’s composure on the ball around multiple defenders frightened the opposition as he went close to levelling with a solo effort.

Both sides had vast chances at goal to no avail before tensions rose as Mariners captain Harry Menham’s two-footed challenge sparked an all-in-brawl.

He and teammate Rocco Smith were red carded, while Antelmi was also marched for his involvement.

Sydney United 58 maintained their possession into the fixture’s final stages, not giving the hosts a sniff as they came away with the three points on the road.

Sydney United 58’s coach Zeljko Kalac was proud of his side’s effort to win at Pluim Park, the result capping off a great pre-season period as well as his maiden win as the new man in charge at Edensor Park.

“It was a great performance and victory especially in a hard place like Pluim Park,” said Kalac.

“I don’t think we had a weak player on the pitch today and it caps off the pre-season we had to come here and get the result and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead this season.”

Despite the tough loss at home, Mariners coach Lucas Vilela believes results like these will help toughen the competitiveness of his young squad.

“That’s why we have them in this competition is to toughen them up and sometimes the results won’t come, but in terms of development of players that’s what we’re looking for here,” said Vilela.

“That’s what we take from today.”

Match Stats

Central Coast Mariners 1 (Niyonkuru 41’)

Sydney United 58 2 (De Oliveira 32’, Antelmi 47’)

Saturday 17th February 2023

Pluim Park, Lisarow

Referee: Ivica Covic

Central Coast Mariners: 3. Cher Dong, 5. Harry Menham, 7. Matej Busek (35. Agieg Aluk 80’), 8. Lucas Scicluna, 10. Luka Smyth (33. Alexander Gountounas ’79), 11. Donatien Niyonkuru (18. Adil Toska 62’), 13. Yani Nassis, 16. Jordan Small, 22. Rocco Smith, 27. Taye Hedley (34. Arthur De Lima 83’), 30. Jack Warshawsky (GK)

Unused Subs: 2. Michael Paragalli, 20. Dylan Peraic-Cullen

Yellow Cards: 7. Matej Basek 47’, 10. Luka Smyth 53’

Red Cards: 5. Harry Menham 81’, 22. Rocco Smith 81’

Sydney United 58: 1. Oliver Kalac (GK), 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica (C), 7. Jordan Ivancic (5. Anthony Tomelic 83’), 8. Shunta Nakamura, 9. Patrick Antelmi, 10. Carlos De Oliveira (21. Dejan Bakrdanikoski 83’), 11. Matthew Hatch, 14. Liam Mcging, 15. Tariq Maia, 19. Aidan Milicevic (22. Stephen De robillard 83’)

Unused Subs: 2. Joshua Attard, 12. Marco Arambasic, 17. Matthew Nikolovski

Yellow Cards: 11. Matthew Hatch 59’

Red Cards: 9. Patrick Antelmi 81’

Player Ratings:

3: Carlos De Oliveira (SU58)

2: Matthew Hatch (SU58)

1: Taye Hedley (CCM)

By Mitchell Roese (@mitchellroese)