United 58 produce thrilling comeback as Hills thwarted at home
Sydney United 58 produced a stunning comeback to win 3-2 against Hills United FC at Landen Stadium on Saturday night.
The visitors had a fast start and were on the front foot early. Carlos De Oliveira had a free kick which was gobbled up by Hills United FC custodian Ryan Wood.
Next, Shunta Nakamura went close. The Japanese attacker rose highest to meet a header but directed it at Wood.
Hills United FC finally settled into their rhythm and had their first opportunity soon after that. Anthony Frangie sent in a cross which Yu Okubo nodded straight at the target but to no avial.
The hosts then took the lead in the 20th minute. Thomas Makko drove towards goal and the ball fell to Okubo who nestled it into the bottom corner for 1-0.
The goal gave Hills United FC the energy to surge forward. This time, Jordan Lane drove into the box and forced a save from Sydney United 58 keeper Oliver Kalac.
Highlighting their confidence was Nicolai Muller having a shot from range then Glen Kelshaw had a header go straight at Kalac after good build up from Frangie and Okubo.
Hills United FC then doubled their delight in the 41st minute. Frangie ran into some space in midfield before he unfurled a shot which deflected into the net for 2-0.
Sydney United 58 came out firing on all cylinders in the second half. They had a few half chances led by Nakamura’s strike which Wood had to knock down.
Hills United FC responded with a big chance themselves. Makko drove down the wing before he found Okubo who dragged it wide.
The visitors brought it back to 2-1 in the 51st minute. It was strong work from Marco Arambasic who found De Oliveira to fire home.
Hills United FC had a big opportunity to restore their two-goal advantage through Kelshaw. He got on the end of a movement which fizzed wide.
Sydney United 58 brought the game back level in the 67th minute. A cross from Adam Zervas was recycled to Nakamura who whipped it home for 2-2.
The hosts thought they had the lead again but were denied by the offside flag. Substitute Jamal Belkadi threaded through a ball which Frangie tapped home before he realized.
They kept building up the chances to snatch the game. Another substitute Samuel O’Connor thrashed an effort wide of the left post.
Sydney United 58 completed their majestic comeback in the 90th minute. Alessandro Lacalandra played in substitute and club hero Patrick Antelmi who slotted home for 3-2 which caused pandemonium amongst the visiting players.
Speaking post match Hills United FC coach Luke Casserly reflected on a game that saw three precious points snatched out of their hands.
“Disappointing for us after a first half which we were fantastic and had a deserved lead going into the break. They put us under pressure in the second half but we still had our chances. They had three chances and scored. Overall, there is good aspects to the game but we needed to kill off the game.” said Casserly.
Sydney United 58 coach Zeljko Kalac was honest in his assessment of the game which saw his team take the win which pushed their run for a finals series top six finish.
“It was a rubbish first half on a tough pitch to play on.
“We were rubbish in the first half and got punished for it.
“Second half we put in a good shift and got the goals with the subs making the difference. Now, we get to refresh the team and ready ourselves for the final games.” said Kalac.
Match Stats
Hills United FC 2 (Okubo ’20 Frangie ‘41)
Sydney United 58 FC 3 (De Oliveira ’51 Nakamura ’67 Antelmi ‘90)
Saturday 15 June 2024
Landen Stadium
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch & Lindsay Edmonds
Fourth Official: Charbel Geha
Hills United FC: 1. Ryan Wood, 5. Daniel Petkovski, 9. Yu Okubo, 11. Anthony Frangie, 12. Jordan Lane, 13. Cameron Philp, 15. Noah Casserly, 19. Glen Kelshaw (10. Jamal Belkadi ’72), 22. Byron Ginn (24. Sunday Yona ’83), 26. Thomas Makko, 27. Nicolai Muller (14. Samuel O’Connor ’72)
Unused subs: 7. Wade Giovenali, 21. Emlyn Cross, 42. Kasra Manoochehry
Yellow cards: Okubo ‘12
Red cards: nil
Sydney United 58 FC: 2. Cristian Gonzalez (4. Adrian Vlastelica ’86), 5. Anthony Tomelic, 6. Adam Zervas, 7. Jordan Ivancic (11. Matthew Hatch ’61), 8. Shunta Nakamura, 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 12. Marco Arambasic (9. Patrick Antelmi ’61), 13. Alessandro Lacalandra, 14. Liam McGing, 15. Tariq Maia, 58. Oliver Kalac
Unused subs: 17. Matthew Nikolovski, 29. Joshua Attard, 40. Malik Chamseddine
Yellow cards: Maia ’57 Zervas ’75 Nakamura ‘85
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Carlos De Oliveira (SU58)
2: Anthony Frangie (HUFC)
1: Shunta Nakamura (SU58)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
