Sydney United 58 down Wanderers to secure debut win of the season
Sydney United 58’s season is officially up and running after beating the Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 on a scorching Saturday afternoon at Sydney United Sports Centre, bagging their maiden win this term in the fourth round of the National Premier League Men’s NSW competition.
The game was evenly fought by both sides in the opening twenty minutes of play with very few opportunities presenting themselves.
It was not until the 24th minute that the game opened up when midfielder Tariq Maia met a rebound ball outside of the box, releasing a screamer of a long shot that sailed into the top right to give the hosts the lead.
The Wanderers had a half chance to bring it level in the 33rd minute through forward Kaan Nizam, whose curling effort from range was caught comfortably by keeper Josip Orlovic.
The home side came up with the first opportunity of the second period with winger Mason Wells having a grounded shot from the right side saved by goalkeeper Tristan Vidackovic in the 49th minute.
The Wanderers shot stopper produced another important save in the 67th minute as he dived to his right to keep out a promising long shot from Maia.
The visitors created their best chance of the second half in the 73rd minute with Julian Cop unleashing a shot form distance that was tipped over the crossbar by Orlovic.
The hosts eventually doubled their lead in the 77th minute, thanks to a lightning run down the left flank by Leroy Jennings who dribbled the ball into the box and slotted it into the bottom left.
They nearly made it three in the 87th minute when Michael Glassock found substitute Luke Zuvela in the box, though Vidackovic intervened with another save.
Western Sydney had one last chance to bag a late goal in the 90+3rd minute from a corner, with substitute Lachlan Tilt meeting Meliwethu Nkomo’s ball with his head but hitting it over the crossbar.
Sydney United 58 coach Ante Juric praised his team’s performance, particularly given the absences of numerous senior players like Tristan Prendergast, Mario Shabow, Patrick Antelmi and Anthony Tomelic.
“I have been happy the first three games even though we didn’t win. The performances have been solid. Today, effort wise and physicality, we gave everything for the full 90 minutes,” Juric told Football NSW.
“We have got a lot of big guns out…so I am very happy about the performance today. It shows our depth…I am very proud of the club and of our squad.”
United 58 was missing one of its most influential players for the last several seasons, ace striker Patrick Antelmi who tied the knot on Friday.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 2 (Tariq Maia 24’, Leroy Jennings 77’)
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Saturday 1 March
Sydney United Sports Centre
Referee: Danny Horstead
Assistant Referees: Blake Sanchez-Cruz and Blake Eastwood
Fourth Official: Jackson Tippett
Sydney United 58: 31. Josip Orlovic, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 11. Matthew Hatch, 13. Alessandro Lacalandra (37. Luke Zuvela 79’), 14. Liam McGing, 15. Tariq Maia (6. Thomas Makko 79’), 16. Anthony Krilic, 17. Michael Glassock, 22. Stephan De Robillard (32. Leroy Jennings 46’), 23. Mason Wells (3. Bailey Rule 90’)
Substitutes Not Used: 29. Joshua Attard, 41. Mitchell Carter (GK)
Yellow Cards: Mason Wells 60’,
Red Cards: Nil
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Tristan Vidackovic, 2. Nathan Barrie, 4. Ricky Fransen, 8. Nicholas Badolato (21. Tristan Arrarte 79’), 9. Alaat Abdul-Rahman (Noah Peacock) 79’, 11. Kaan Nizam (26. Antony Barbic), 16. Johnny Pavlovic (7. Dallo Sandy 59’), 22. Jesse Cameron (Lachlan Tilt 79’), 27. Julian Cop, 31. Aidan Simmons, 34. Meliwethu Nkomo
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Lucas Sinnott (GK)
Yellow Cards: Nathan Barrie 45+3’,
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3: Tariq Maia (SU58)
2: Anthony Krilic (SU58)
1: Tristan Vidackovic (WSW)
-By Dimitri Kallos
