Sydney United 58’s push for a top six finish took a positive turn following a 2-0 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers at the Wanderers Football Park on Sunday.
The hosts were on the back foot from the opening whistle after Anthony Barbic saw red in the fourth minute for his tackle on Aidan Milicevic.
The visitors took full advantage of the Wanderers losing a player as Milicevic made it 1-0 in the 18th minute then provided the assist for Stephan De Robillard to make it 2-0 in the 30th minute.
United 58 secured the win which condemned the Wanderers to its 14th loss of the year, with the Red and Black side failing to taste victory in the last eleven matches.
Sydney United 58 had the first chance of the game through Tariq Maia who dragged a shot wide of the left post.
The Wanderers were reduced to ten men in the 4th minute when Anthony Barbic saw red after his challenge on Aidan Milicevic.
Patrick Antelmi took the resulting free-kick and drilled it low which forced a good save from Western Sydney Wanderers custodian Tristan Vidackovic.
Sydney United 58 continued to push forward for the opener. Antelmi rose highest from a corner and nodded it straight at Vidackovic.
The Wanderers had their first chance from a set piece. Ryley Hollingdale curled in a free-kick which saw Sydney United 58 keeper Oliver Kalac produce a diving save.
Sydney United 58 made it 1-0 in the 18th minute. The corner was recycled back to Milicevic who fired in the bottom corner.
Kalac’s troops kept pushing forward for another goal. Mason Wells cut inside on the right and shot right at Vidackovic.
The visitors doubled their delight in the 30th minute. Milicevic stepped in and won the ball before he fed it to Stephan De Robillard for 2-0.
Sydney United 58 thought they had a third through its captain in Adrian Vlastelica. He rose highest to nod home but he was judged to have fouled Vidackovic.
The Wanderers had an early chance after the break. Marcus Fernandez drove forward and shot wide of the right post.
Wanderers went close to pulling a goal back early in the second half. Phillip Gigliotti was played through and finished well but the flag was up for offside.
Sydney United 58 had a chance from another set piece. Antelmi sent in a free-kick which went over the bar.
Substitute Alessandro Lacalandra drove forward for Sydney United 58 and had an effort which was caught well by Vidackovic.
The substitutes continued to give Sydney United 58 some energy. The ball was zipped around before Luiz Lobo had a shot straight.
Sydney United 58 saw out the rest of the game and recorded a valuable three points in this contest.
Post match Sydney United 58 coach Zeljko Kalac reflected on a comfortable win for this side that pushed them into outright sixth position.
“We started very well, and probably the game should’ve been over.
“We butchered a few chances to put it away but we controlled the game well.
“We are going game by game taking three points and see where we finish.” said Kalac.
While it was a more sombre mood in the home dressing sheds as Wanderers assistant coach Richie Cardozo was proud of the effort his side showed despite being down to ten.
“I think we did well and I am super proud of the boys throughout the game.
“We had a few spells of possession and half chances but it is hard to win games when you are down to ten players so early on.”
Match Stats
Western Sydney Wanderers FC 0
Sydney United 58 2 (Milicevic ’18 De Robillard ‘30)
Sunday 11 August 2024
Wanderers Football Park
Referee: Kelly Jones
Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch & Mitchell Renton
Fourth Official: James Makris
Western Sydney Wanderers: 18. Awan Lal (35. Kaan Nizam ’72), 20. Tristan Vidackovic, 22. Jesse Cameron, 23. Marcus Fernandez, 24. Anthony Barbic, 25. Ryley Hollingdale, 28. Luke Nieuwenhof, 37. Ricky Fransen, 47. Edmun Haddad (36. Dallo Sandy ’61), 77. Phillip Gigliotti (45. Rushonn Tafunai ’79), 99. Ryan Devine (3. Matthew O’Donoghue ’61)
Unused subs: 1. Taiga Harper, 29. Evangelos Kalamvokis,
Yellow cards: Cameron ’20 O’Donoghue ‘68
Red cards: Barbic ‘4
Sydney United 58: 1. Oliver Kalac, 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5. Anthony Tomelic, 9. Patrick Antelmi (2. Cristian Gonzalez ’85), 11. Matthew Hatch (44. Anthony Krilic ’85), 15. Tariq Maia, 19. Aiden Milicevic (8. Luiz Lobo ’74), 21. Dejan Bakrdanikoski, 22. Stephan De Robillard (Joshua Attard ’74), 32. Mason Wells (13. Alessandro Lacalandra ’67)
Unused subs: 40. Mitchell Carter
Yellow cards: Tomelic ‘25
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Aidan Milicevic (SU58)
2: Stephan De Robillard (SU58)
1: Ryley Hollingdale (WSW)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
