Pressure mounts on Sydney FC as Spirit grab vital victory
In what was seen as a massive six-pointer, NWS Spirit FC defeated fellow table strugglers Sydney FC at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night to ease their relegation pressures but the loss for the Sky Blues has piled pressure on Jim Van Weeren’s side.
Sydney FC got off on the right step as Matthew Scarcella put the hosts up in the 31st minute but their lead was short-lived when Jacob Chidiac equalised six minutes later. It was a goal to remember for Spirit defender Kyle Shaw who smashed home the side’s second before Ollie Wiggin sealed the three points and the club’s first away victory in 2024.
The first chance of the game fell to the Sky Blues. Bailey Callaghan turned well before he unleashed his shot which went over the bar.
NWS Spirit FC responded with their opportunity. A cut back from Wiggin was parried by Sydney FC keeper Alexander Zaverdinos that spilled into the path of Chidiac to sweep wide.
The visitors had a pair of chances to open the scoring. Wiggin shot straight at the keeper then Luiz Lobo flicked it to himself then forced a save from Zaverdinos.
Sydney FC made it 1-0 in the 31st minute. It was quick thinking from Joseph Calusic to play the free kick that Mitchell Glasson flicked on for Scarcella to fire home.
NWS Spirit FC equalized through a set piece of their own. Lobo swung in the corner that Chidiac headed onto the post then it rolled in for 1-1 in the 37th minute.
The visitors went close again late in the first half. Michael Konestabo on his return, tried to dig out an effort which whistled wide.
Sydney FC started the second half with a flurry of possession as they tried their best in getting back into the match.
NWS Spirit FC once again profited from a set piece. It was recycled well from the corner leading to Shaw to volley home superbly for 2-1 in the 60th minute.
Tiago Quintal tried to get the hosts back in the contest. He snatched the ball, strode forward and sent an effort over the bar.
The Sky Blues continued to turn up the heat on the NWS Spirit FC defence. Glasson broke through but bent his effort wide of the left post.
Next, Oscar Fryer tried to cook up something. It was another slick move from Sydney FC which saw the substitute denied by a goal line clearance.
Jesse Michel almost caught Sydney FC napping. He pounced on a loose pass and strolled forward before his shot saw Zaverdinos plunge to his right to turn it wide.
The visitors almost added a third from a free kick. Jared Lum landed it right on the head of Shaw who craned his header over.
NWS Spirit FC sealed all three points in the 89th minute. Wiggin won the foul then curled the free kick past a stranded Zaverdinos for 3-1.
Noah Peacock had a chance to put the icing on the cake for NWS Spirit FC. The substitute was played on goal and forced one final save from Zaverdinos.
Post match, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren reflected on another frustrating loss for his side which has put them in the danger relegation zone along with the Sutherland Sharks and the Central Coast Mariners.
“I think we gave the game away.
“Credit to NWS Spirit FC who took their chances off our costly errors and throwing it away.
“We say it every week about learning from moments but that is about improving from them but we keep making the same mistakes.” said Van Weeren.
NWS Spirit FC coach David Perkovic was elated to pick up three points in a grinding contest.
“When you lose your two most experienced defenders (Grant Cornwell and Ante Bakmaz) in the first half, it makes it tough with how Sydney FC press.
“It is an important win for us with three goals and builds character headed towards the Australia Cup game next week against Sydney Olympic.
“I felt since the Wollongong Wolves performance, we have been good but we did what we needed to do tonight to get our first away win.” said Perkovic.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 1 (Scarcella ’31)
NWS Spirit FC 3 (Chidiac ’37 Shaw ’60 Wiggin ‘89)
Friday 24 May 2024
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: Blake Sanchez-Cruz & Isaac Riggs
Fourth Official: Thomas Dale
Sydney FC: 3. Tyler Williams, 4. Joseph Calusic (14. Jared Middleton ’77), 5. Zachary De Jesus (16. Preston Kasawaya ’63), 8. Lachlan Middleton (29. Joseph Lacey ’69), 9. Bailey Callaghan (7. Oscar Fryer ’63), 10. Tiago Quintal, 18. Matthew Scarcella, 19. Mitchell Glasson, 22. Will Kennedy, 24. Wataru Kamijo (13. Jacob Brazete ’77), 40. Alexander Zaverdinos
Unused subs: 30. Mason Hartnig
Yellow cards: Lacey ’84 J. Middleton ’87 Kasawaya ‘88
Red cards:
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Kyle Shaw, 4. Jarred Mckinley, 8. Grant Cornwell (36. Kyah Williams ’48), 10. Michael Konestabo (34. Noah Peacock ’79), 11. Ollie Wiggin, 13. Simon Nicholas, 16. Ante Bakmaz (21. Luiz Lobo ‘7), 17. Jacob Chidiac, 19. Jesse Michel (7. Richard Darko ’79), 20. Jared Lum
Unused subs: 14. Jacob Sullivan, 31. Joel Wade
Yellow cards: Nicholas ‘76
Red cards:
Player Ratings:
3: Ollie Wiggin (NWS)
2: Matthew Scarcella (SFC)
1: Simon Nicholas (NWS)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
