Sharks early missed penalty sets tone for goalless draw against Sydney FC
Sydney FC were much improved defensively following a hefty defeat last week, riding out a goalless draw against Sutherland Sharks in round 10 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday.
It was all action from the get-go, when Wataru Kamijo’s heavy touch was pounced on by Mason Fernandez inside the first couple of minutes.
Fernandez, through on goal, was subsequently taken down by Kamijo in the box, and left referee Kurt Ams no choice but to point to the spot.
The man who won the penalty stepped up to take it, but his tame effort down the centre of the goal was easily saved by Adam Pavlesic. It was a crucial moment of the game so early on.
Only a few minutes later, Sydney FC had a penalty shout of their own, when Marin France weaved in and out of Chris Lindsay, before going to ground when skipping past the defender for the final time, but the referee waved play on.
Sutherland had the best chance of the half not long after, when Kotaro Katsuta found himself through on goal with only the keeper to beat, but Pavlesic bravely shut down the midfielder’s effort. The ball then fell to Jay McGowan, whose curled strike whiskered just wide of the post.
Sutherland started to take control of the game in the final third, winning the majority of second balls, prompting a golden opportunity in the 69th minute when substitute Samuel Gulisano cleverly thread a ball through to Jay McGowan.
The attacker tried to poke it past the incoming Pavlesic, but the goalkeeper once more made a fine stop to deny Sharks an opener.
Takahide Umebachi came agonisingly close soon after, with a thunderous effort on the edge of the box ending up only inches wide of the post.
Maxx Green could have stolen the headlines in stoppage time with a volley from a wide angle inside the penalty area, but an acrobatic stop from the seemingly unstoppable Pavlesic ensured the home side’s clean sheet was kept.
Sydney FC head coach Jimmy van Weeren was honest with his team’s assessment in what was a tough match for the Sky Blues.
“I thought first half we were dominant without being really clinical and second half I thought we were really poor to be honest, and were probably lucky to get away with a draw.
“I think the clean sheet was down to Adam, because they had some very good chances, and he made some great saves.”
While Sharks head coach Steve Zoric also reflected on his side’s point on the road but knew the three were there for the taking to ease their pain in the bottom half of the ladder.
“We defended really well and they really didn’t create much I thought, but I’m happy with the clean sheet.
“We created a lot of chances towards the end and started to get on top of them, but if you don’t score, you don’t win games.”
Match Stats
Sydney FC 0
Sutherland Sharks FC 0
Friday 12 April 2024
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Alexis Johnson & Luke Chapman
Fourth Official: Joel Crawford
Sydney FC: 5. Meliwethu Nkomo, 6. Dylan Rose, 7. Marin France (2. Noah Mathie ’60), 8. Lachlan Middleton, 13. Zachary de Jesus (4. Joseph Calusic ’77), 14. Jared Middleton, 18. Matthew Scarcella, 19. Mitchell Glasson (9. Bailey Callaghan ’46), 20. Adam Pavlesic (GK), 24. Wataru Kamijo (33. Mathais Macallister ’46), 28. Nathan Amanatidis (10. Will Kennedy ’46).
Unused subs: 40. Alexander Zaverdinos
Yellow cards: Kamijo ‘2, L. Middleton ’53, Kennedy ‘77
Red cards: nil
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Nenad Vekic, 2. Kotaro Katsuta, 4. Mitch Stamatellis, 5. Takahide Umebachi, 8. Mohamed Ahmed (6. Samuel Gulisano ’51), 10. Mason Fernandez (21. Luke Sauer ’82), 11. Jay McGowan, 14. Chris Lindsay, 27. Matthew Jackson (3. Jordan Roberts ’82), 77. Levi Sciuriaga (9. Maxx Green ’62), 91. Jonty Busch.
Unused subs: 23. Ethan Beaven, 99. Jacob Cremen-Cowan
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Adam Pavlesic (SFC)
2: Mitch Stamatellis (SUT)
1: Lachlan Middleton (SFC)
By Liam O’Sullivan (@liamdlosullivan)
