Sydney United 58 continues its positive run
Sydney United 58 are one of the in-form teams of the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW competition following a 2-0 win over Sydney FC at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday evening.
The Sky Blues will lament their finishing touch in the game. They had plenty of chances but were repelled by the visitors defence. Zachary De Jesus was given his marching orders after his red card in the 74th minute.
Sydney United 58 FC won their third game on the spin with a professional performance in this encounter. Shunta Nakamura made it 1-0 in the 8th minute then Aidan Milicevic doubled the delight in the 72nd minute to confirm the points.
The hosts held much of the ball in the first few minutes but Sydney United 58 FC almost caught them on the counter.
The visitors made it 1-0 in the 8th minute. Japanese ace Shunta Nakamura took his first touch well then thrashed it home for the visitors.
Sydney FC tried to respond through Marin France. He roamed down the wing before cutting inside and shooting straight at Sydney United 58 FC keeper Oliver Kalac.
The visitors continued to be a threat to add a second goal to their tally. Aidan Milicevic unfurled a strike which Sydney FC keeper Adam Pavlesic tipped over.
Milicevic turned provider for Sydney United 58 FC in their next move. He found sharpshooter Patrick Antelmi to hit the side netting.
Nakamura wanted to double his delight on the counter. He strode forward then curled one straight at Pavlesic in the 29th minute.
The Sky Blues had the final chance of the first half. Jacob Brazete strode forward then whipped it wide of the right post.
Both teams settled straight back into their shape after the break. Sydney FC held much of the ball but couldn’t find a finishing touch.
Sydney United 58 FC almost struck on the counter again. Antelmi was found in stride but he sent it over the bar in the 56th minute.
The Sky Blues kept pressing for an equalizer. Meliwethu Nkomo fizzed in a superb cross which France nodded over.
The visitors should’ve had a second. Nakamura threaded it through for Tariq Maia who was denied by a leg save from Pavlesic.
Sydney United 58 FC punished the hosts again for 2-0. United 58 club skipper Adrian Vlastelica sent in a diagonal ball which Milicevic brought down well and chipped home in the 72nd minute.
The challenge became much harder for Sydney FC in the 74th minute as De Jesus was sent off for a dangerous challenge which left the Sky Blues with 10 men.
Antelmi went close to making it three for the visitors. He was played through then thrashed an effort over the bar.
Two Sydney United 58 FC substitutes in Alessandro Lacalandra and Stephan De Robillard linked up but it was swept away.
It wasn’t Sydney FC’s night. Substitute Ayouk Mow pinched the ball, rounded the keeper but a last ditch challenge denied him.
Speaking post match, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren reflected on the performance from his side.
“I thought they were ahead of us for the first 15 then we dominated the game for the rest of the game and the second goal killed the game.
“On a football level, it was a good performance but now we need to go to the next stage and finish chances.
“The aim for us to be competitive and promote players like we did this week into the first team and I think we can do both.” said Van Weeren.
While for victorious Sydney United 58 FC coach Zeljko Kala, he was delighted with three points in what has been a busy week for the side.
“It is a super week with three wins during this period.
“There are some tired bodies but they showed great commitment tonight.
“We had chances to be further ahead with chances but we got the win and we knew it wasn’t going to be a pretty game.” said Kalac.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 0
Sydney United 58 FC 2 (Nakamura ‘8 Milicevic ‘72)
Friday 26 April 2024
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Kurt Ams
Assistant Referees: Hayden Michlmayr & Matthew Harris
Fourth Official: Ethan Zvargulis
Sydney FC: 3. Tyler Williams, 5. Meliwethu Nkomo, 8. Lachlan Middleton (6. Dylan Rose ’70), 9. Bailey Callaghan, 11. Marin France, 13. Jacob Brazete (17. Ayouk Mow ’59), 14. Jared Middleton, 18. Matthew Scarcella (22. Will Kennedy ’70), 20. Adam Pavlesic, 24. Wataru Kamijo (10. Tiago Quintal ’59), 36. Zachary De Jesus
Unused subs: 2. Noah Mathie, 40. Alexander Zaverdinos
Yellow cards: Nkomo ’39 De Jesus ‘60
Red cards: De Jesus ‘74
Sydney United 58 FC: 1. Oliver Kalac, 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5. Anthony Tomelic, 7. Jordan Ivancic (2. Cristian Gonzales ’70), 8. Shunta Nakamura, 9. Patrick Antelmi (13. Alessandro Lacalandra ’84), 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 14. Liam Mcging, 15. Tariq Maia (21. Dejan Bakdanikoski ‘88, 19. Aidan Milicevic (22. Stephen De Robillard ’84)
Unused subs: 6. Adam Zervas,17. Matthew Nikolovski
Yellow cards: Gonzales ‘92
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Aidan Milicevic (SU58)
2: Shunta Nakamura (SU58)
1: Adrian Vlastelica (SU58)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
