Sydney United 58’s finals hopes left clinging after Manly defeat
Sydney United 58 have been left clinging onto their spot in the top six going down 2-0 at the hands of Manly United at the Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
This secured the visitors safety for next season and it was Manly’s first win in five consecutive appearances.
With Sydney United 58 still in contention for a finals spot, they started out the stronger side.
That was evident from the get-go via a threatening shot from Tariq Maia which was awkwardly headed back by Rocco Pelle to Levi Kaye, with the Manly keeper stretching out to prevent an own goal.
On the 15 minute mark Maia attacked proficiently again causing Kaye grief, forcing him to get down low to thwart his attempt.
Following that incident, Manly nearly took advantage only to witness a last-ditch boot from club skipper Adrian Vlastelica on Presley Ortiz to stop him from scoring, as Ortiz had only Oliver Kalac.
Four minutes later, it was Peter Kekeris who tested the hosts resolve as his valiant long-range shot had to be palmed away by a diving Kalac.
Half an hour in, United 58 forged their best chance as Stephan De Robillard beat Kieren Paull causing him to slip over, then he ran a circle around Kaye only to then fire his shot into the side netting from a difficult angle.
It was a costly miss as Alen Aganovic scored quite possibly the easiest goal of his career five-minutes from the half-time whistle after a crafty backheel pass from Benjamin Koop placed the ball just before the line for the defender to duly convert.
Just as they did in the first half, the hosts came out all guns blazing in the second with their increased desperation for a goal evident as Anthony Tomelic came close early, only for his header to go slightly askew.
After what seemed like an eternity, Bilal Belkadi repelled against Sydney United 58, as his dangerous header came very close to going in, finally breaking the chain of United’s shots in the process.
Normalcy resumed shortly after as Kaye was forced backwards with an awkwardly placed arm to deny Bailey Rule what would have been a sensational curling strike in the 83rd minute.
Manly put the icing on the cake in the 88th minute through Miguel Bauza’s smashing penalty after Christian Gonzalez’s clumsy challenge.
It wasn’t to be for Sydney United 58 who now need a draw next week unless Wollongong loses, to secure their top six spot.
Peter Kekeris expressed his thoughts post-match.
“Today we had to come here and perform, and we know that we belong in the league. It hasn’t quite gone our way the past couple of weeks, but we deserved the win today.
“We had a strong middle part of the season, and we were close to a finals spot, but it didn’t quite work out. We have to build up some positive results and keep it going into next season and we want to go down to Wollongong and finish the year on a high.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 0
Manly United 2 (Alen Aganovic 40’, Miguel Bauza 88’)
Sunday 18 August 2024
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Craig Fisher
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Alessandro Llana
Fourth Official: Ivica Covic
Sydney United 58: 1.Oliver Kalac, (2.Christian Gonzalez 83’), 3.Bailey Rule, 4.Adrian Vlastelica, 5.Anthony Tomelic, 6.Adam Zevras, 7.Mason Wells, (8.Luiz Lobo 75’), 9.Patrick Antelmi, 11.Mattew Hatch, 15.Tariq Maia, 21.Dejan Bakrdanikoski, 22.Stephan De Robillard
Unused subs: 13.Alessandro Lacalandra, 29.Joshua Attard, 44.Anthony Krilic, 58.Ryan Warner
Yellow cards: (Adam Zevras 14’)
Red cards: Nil
Manly United: 1.Levi Kaye, 2.Kieren Paull, (3.Zac Sfiligoi 83’), 4.Jesse Piriz, (5.Thomas Fay 76’), 6.Saxon Hillyer, 7.Peter Kekeris, (8.Joseph Fox 83’), 9.Benjamin Koop, (11.Connor Rose 65’), (12.Miguel Bauza 83’), 18.Presley Ortiz, 19.Alen Aganovic, 25.Rocco Pelle, 39.Stefano Rossello, 45.Bilal Belkadi
Unused subs: 31.Jay Coates
Yellow cards: (Miguel Bauza 90+4)
Red cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3: Levi Kaye (MU)
2: Peter Kekeris (MU)
1: Oliver Kalac (SO)
