Dominate United 58 unable to put St George FC away in scoreless draw
Sydney United 58 and St George FC played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre.
United 58 created plenty throughout the fixture, but St George held firm to keep a clean sheet away from home.
The hosts were centimetres away from opening the scoring inside three minutes. Carlos De Oliveira received the ball on the edge of the box and took on a curling effort that skimmed the top of the crossbar on its way over.
United 58 threatened again around 10 minutes later when Stephan De Robillard lined up from outside the box on the right. His left-footed effort was caught by St George goalkeeper Daniel Axford.
The side conjured up another opportunity in the 18th minute. A left-sided cross bounced around on the edge of the area before falling for De Oliveira whose first-time shot was expertly tipped around the left post by Axford.
Despite Sydney United 58’s dominance of the chances in the first period, they almost found themselves behind in stoppage time.
Connor Quilligan raced into the box and rounded United 58 goalkeeper Oliver Kalac to his left. The midfielder took his time before placing the ball towards the ‘keeperless goal, but Liam McGing pulled off a sensational headed clearance on the line to see it away from danger.
The halftime whistle blew with the teams unable to be separated after an intriguing first half at Sydney United Sports Centre.
The home side came flying out of the blocks but failed to take advantage of their early good play and almost conceded on the stroke of the break.
United 58 subjected St George to further waves of attack in the early minutes of the second half.
Six minutes in. Adam Zervas’ right-sided cross curled to the back post for De Oliveira, whose volley spun wide of the left post.
Midfielder De Oliveira was in the thick of the action at the start of the second period, trying his luck once more a couple of minutes later. A left-sided corner came out to De Robillard, who laid the ball off to De Oliveira to his left; but the latter’s side-footed shot was parried away by Axford.
Moments later, Zervas got to the right by-line and drilled the ball into the danger area, where a series of desperate defensive manoeuvres from the visitors kept the ball away from the goal line.
St George responded to this early pressure in the 58th minute when Quilligan – the team’s main threat in the match – fired a long shot that flew narrowly over the bar.
Eight minutes later, Quilligan again sought to test Kalac with a long-range strike – this time, the ball curling into the goalkeeper’s gloves.
United 58 resumed their attacking efforts 76 minutes in as Patrick Antelmi lashed a left-footed shot that flew wide of the right post.
In the 88th minute, the side worked the ball into the left of the area, where Matthew Hatch launched a shot from a tight angle that Axford did well to bat away.
United 58’s probing for a winner ticked into stoppage time, however, they could not find a finishing touch to win the points.
The teams had to settle for a point each on Sunday afternoon.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 0
St George FC 0
Sunday 23 June 2024
Sydney United Sports Centre
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Matthew Harris and Thomas Dale
Fourth Official: Hayden Michlmayr
Sydney United 58 FC: 1. Oliver Kalac, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5. Anthony Tomelic, 6. Adam Zervas (2. Christian Gonzalez 78’), 7. Jordan Ivancic (11. Matthew Hatch 46’), 8. Shunta Nakamura, 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 12. Marco Arambasic (13. Alessandro Lacalandra 46’), 14. Liam McGing, 15. Tariq Maia, 22. Stephan De Robillard (9. Patrick Antelmi 68’)
Substitutes Not Used: 17. Mathew Nikolovski, 29. Joshua Attard
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
St George FC: 20. Daniel Axford, 2. Caio De Godoy, 5. Nicholas Kalagerou, 6. Patrick O’Shea, 8. Connor Quilligan, 9. Peter Grozos (22. Aedan O’Shea 84’), 10. Harry Jones (Jesse Spang 71’), 18. Mark Rodic, 23. Evangelo Souris, 27. Jayden Seeto, 30. Justin Poon (11. Anthony Morabito 57’)
Substitutes Not Used: 7. Jesse Spang, 14. Alexander Malfara, 17. Thomas Brown, 21. Samuel Smith
Yellow Cards: Caio De Godoy 40’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Daniel Axford (SG)
2 – Liam McGing (SU58)
1 – Carlos De Oliveira (SU58)
Report by Tim Gibson, @Timg123_
