Sydney United 58 seal dramatic draw with Sharks
In true never say die fashion, Sydney United 58 rescued a point in the opening round of the NPL Men’s NSW competition coming from two goals down to secure a thrilling 2-2 draw against the Sutherland Sharks at the Sydney United Sports Centre on Saturday.
The Sharks opened the score in the 15th minute of the game after winger Daniel Wong delivered a low ball across the goal, which defender Bailey Rule cleared onto captain Adrian Vlastelica before the ball crept into the goal for an unfortunate own-goal.
The Sutherland outfit nearly doubled their lead in the 23rd minute as Wong delivered another low ball across goal from the left flank, with teammate Mason Fernandez not getting enough power as he hit it straight into the hands of Tristan Prendergast.
Wong popped with a chance of his own after Maki Petratos sent a ball from the right into the box, though the winger sent it wide of the target in the 29th minute.
The hosts had their best chance of the first half in the 39th minute when a corner saw Vlastelica head the ball towards teammate Leroy Jennings, who headed the ball himself from point-blank range into Sharks keeper and former United 58 number one Danijel Nizic’s hands.
The home outfit came out stronger at the start of the second half, creating some danger without any clear-cut chances.
The Sharks would ultimately strike again in the 56th minute when Wong met a ball across goal by Kotaro Katsuta, with the winger’s first touch bobbling off defender Liam McGing into the air wherein he smacked it on the volley into the top left.
The hosts nearly broke through in the 80th minute when Tariq Maia’s corner delivery met fellow substitute Luke Zuvela, who took a touch with his chest before volleying it over the crossbar.
They eventually found a goal in the 87th minute from another Maia corner which saw Michael Glassock guide the ball in on his club debut.
Sydney United 58 pushed on and found a 90th minute equaliser, thanks to a brilliant long-range effort from Mason Wells that curled into the net off the left post.
Sharks coach Steven Zoric admitted to Football NSW they were a bit disappointed with the draw after leading for most of the clash.
“There were a lot of positives, we should have probably buried the game by half time and been at least 3-0 up. We have got to be a bit more clinical. Nothing but positive praise for the troops. They put in a great effort, transition was great, possession was great. I feel disappointed we didn’t take the three points.”
His counterpart, Ante Juric, praised his substitutes in helping change the momentum.
“It just shows me that our depth is very good, that we have got good players that can change the game and can push for the starting line-up. They were excellent,” Juric said to Football NSW.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 2 (Michael Glassock 87’, Mason Wells 90’)
Sutherland Sharks FC 2 (Adrian Vlastelica (own goal) 15’, Daniel Wong 56’)
Saturday 8 February
Sydney United Sports Centre
Referee: Logan Jones
Assistant Referees: Amirhossein Hosnani and Jackson Tippett
Fourth Official: Damien Delovski
Sydney United 58: 1.Tristan Prendergast, 3.Bailey Rule, 4.Adrian Vlastelica, 5.Anthony Tomelic, 8.Mario Shabow (15.Tariq Maia 64’), 9.Patrick Antelmi (37.Luke Zuvela 64’), 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 11. Matthew Hatch (22.Stephan De Robillard 46’), 14. Liam McGing (16.Anthony Krilic 72’), 17. Michael Glassock, 32. Leroy Jennings (23.Mason Wells 46’)
Substitutes Not Used: 31.Josip Orlovic (GK)
Yellow Cards: Carlos De Oliveira 73′, Anthony Tomelic 88’, Adrian Vlastelica 90+4’
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1.Danijel Nizic, 2.Lachlan Macdonald, 6.Mohamed Ahmed, 7.Peter Grozos, 11.Kosta Petratos (10.Maki Petratos 13’), 15.Matthew Moric (3.Jordan Roberts 46’), 21. Jerry Skotadis, 22. Kotaro Katsuta. 23. Mason Fernandez (9.Reuben Awaritefe 81’), 26.Jacob Garner, 58.Daniel Wong (14.Dylan Susovic 69’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12.Ikko Ehode Arimoto, Sebastian Arranz (GK)
Yellow Cards: Matthew Moric 16’, Makis Petratos 42’, Danijel Nizic 89’, Jordan Roberts (90+2’)
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3: Daniel Wong (SS)
2: Kotaro Katsuta (SS)
1: Tariq Maia (SU58)
-By Dimitri Kallos
