Rockdale Ilinden took another big step towards the 2024 NPL Men’s NSW Premiership with a dramatic 2-1 win over Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
Rockdale led early through So Kataoka before Christopher McStay equalised for the Wolves.
Deep into stoppage time Ilinden keeper Nick Sorras pulled out a huge save before Blake Ricciuto steered home a header to snatch the points for the visitors as well as keeping a six point gap between them and second placed Marconi.
Both sides needed the points coming into the game, with Rockdale chasing the title and Wollongong looking to hang onto a finals place.
Ilinden caught the Wolves napping within two minutes as Alec Urosevski’s long throw from the left touchline was nodded in at the near post by Kataoka.
However, Wollongong quickly got into the game, with Takumi Ofuka proving an asset down the left, running at the Rockdale backline.
And 20 minutes in, the home side drew level. Ofuka set off on a skilful run down the left and clipped in a cross to Lachlan Scott, who flicked a header onto McStay. The midfielder kept his balance and prodded the ball into the goal.
The first half was a tense affair with limited chances, with a lot on the line for both teams.
In the 42nd minute, the visitors had a great chance to take a lead into halftime. Kataoka got on the end of a right-sided cross but shovelled the ball over the bar.
The scores were level as the teams went into the sheds.
Rockdale created the first opportunity of the second half when Dean Pelekanos’ shot from inside the box flew over in the 54th minute.
The hosts had a golden chance to grab the lead themselves 58 minutes in when Ilinden defender Daniel Collins headed the ball to Wollongong winger Sebastian Hernandez. Hernandez burst through on goal, but Nicholas Sorras made a crucial stop.
Wollongong won a free-kick a couple of minutes later that was placed on the edge of the box. Ofuka took responsibility but curled it over the bar.
Wollongong continued their spell of good play in the 70th minute when Hernandez raided down the right again before lashing a shot over the top.
The Wolves came even closer five minutes later when McStay rattled the crossbar with a close-range free-kick.
The side should have won the points early in stoppage time when Alex Masciovecchio slipped Yagoub Mustafa into the left channel. Mustafa raced in on goal, but Sorras pulled off another big save to keep the home side at bay.
Rockdale had resisted the Wolves’ second half barrage and remained level, and they were given one last chance to win the game in the second minute of stoppage time.
Kotaoka stood over a left-sided free-kick and whipped the ball towards the middle of the box where Ricciuto directed a header goalwards that beat Wolves’ goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic.
The away fans were sent into jubilation as the visiting bench sprinted down the touchline to celebrate.
The late goal earning Rockdale a monumental three points in their bid for the title, while condemning the Wolves to a defeat that put a dent in their finals hopes.
Rockdale’s stand-in coach Nick Stavroulakis said it was the team’s belief in playing to their blueprint that got them over the line.
Despite the side being under immense pressure at times in the match, Stavroulakis said that his squad stayed true to their way of playing.
“We always stick to our way and as much as we can stick to our script and what we do, we usually get a positive outcome,” Stavroulakis said.
“This year we’ve had a few of these moments [late goals] and we always believe that we can keep going so for us as a unit it’s something that we’ve believed from day one.
“In those moments, it’s still trying to stay positive to what we do and they had those two good chances and Nicky [Sorras] did what he had to do.
“But we kept trying to play and kept trying to be really positive about it.”
With coach Paul Dee away from Rockdale duties currently, Stavroulakis has stepped up to coach the team.
He has coached through a high-stakes period for Rockdale, including their Round of 32 Australia Cup tie and some big games in the NPL Men’s NSW title battle.
An emotional Stavroulakis said he credited Dee for creating an environment that helped make the transition smoother.
“He’s given us a model; we’ve stuck with it together for two years, but we’ve tried to build a project where it allows for a smooth transition,” Stavroulakis said.
“There’s no real big changes besides the name that’s on the team sheet because the way we’ve built this, everyone has a role and a responsibility so credit to him [Paul Dee].
“He’s very diligent in how he wants to run things and for me it’s been an easy transition because it’s not off the cuff.
“We know our roles.”
Match Stats
Wollongong Wolves FC 1 (Christopher McStay 20’)
Rockdale Ilinden FC 2 (So Kataoka 2’, Blake Ricciuto 90+2’)
Sunday 4 August 2024
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Matthew Harris
Fourth Official: Mayson Griffith
Wollongong Wolves FC: 20. Vedran Janjetovic, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 4. Dylan Ryan (3. Darcy Madden 28’), 5. Banri Kanaizumi, 6. Samuel Riak, 7. Takumi Ofuka, 8. Andre Takami (9. Jake Trew 64’), 10. Yagoub Mustafa, 11. Sebastian Hernandez (25. Alex Masciovecchio 87’), 24. Lachlan Scott, 88. Christopher McStay
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Oliver Yates, 27. Damon Gray, 29. Ben Giason
Yellow Cards: Samuel Riak 35’, Lachlan Scott 72’, David Carney 90+5’
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. Nicholas Sorras, 2. Daniel Collins (4. Roberto Speranza 64’), 5. Giorgio Speranza, 6. Isaac Danzo, 7. Alec Urosevski, 8. Dean Pelekanos, 9. Bai Antoniou (15. Olayinka Sunmola 64’), 11. Lochlan Constable (3. Lachlan Griffiths 81’), 22. Blake Ricciuto, 23. Hunter Elliott (19. Jason Cakovski 87’), 77. So Kataoka
Substitutes Not Used: 17. Bre Ovens, 20. Ricardo Rizzo
Yellow Cards: Daniel Collins 60’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Nicholas Sorras (RI)
2 – So Kataoka (RI)
1 – Takumi Ofuka (WW)
Report by Tim Gibson
