Okubo the hero as Spirit down Manly
The brilliant 2025 form of the NWS Spirit FC side has continued following its hard fought 1-0 victory against Manly United at Cromer Park on Friday evening.
Spirit’s Japanese gun striker Yu Okubo saw his headed goal as the only one for the match that has kept David Perkovic’s side in top spot on the National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW ladder.
Manly United withstood a lot of sustained pressure from NWS Spirit in the early stages of the first half courtesy of their well-crafted ball movement that began almost immediately when the visitors would have been on, if it weren’t for Jordan Perez failing to reach Jacob Chidiac’s almost inch-perfect pass.
Takumi Ofuka in the 7th minute threatened for the Spirit as he weaved through the opposing defence with relative ease before firing off a pass to Chidiac who shot straight at Levi Kaye.
Peter Kekeris brought the game back to Manly in the 13th minute as his pass to Lucas Meek was cleared away by Frankie Ljucovic.
The hosts kept driving forward buoyed by Kekeris, as Grant Cornwell cleared away Harry Van Der Saag’s threatening free kick in the 28th minute.
Bilal Belkadi then laid on some fancy footwork before his ball was kicked to safety as the chances started to fall thick and fast for the home side.
Benjamin Koop almost opened Manly’s account for the evening on the half-hour mark. It started with a galloping run near the halfway line and caused Jamie Percevski all sorts of agony, before Koop unfurled his shot from the edge of the box that went inches away from the far post.
The second half began almost identical to the first with the Spirit on top, both literally and figuratively. Yu Okobo found himself on top of Levi Kaye as the two were gunning for the ball close to the goal line, with Kaye managing to successfully punch the ball away.
As the 54th minute hit, Lucas Meek ran into the box untouched only to slip over. The following play then saw a sneaky attempt from Matthew Donoghue into the bottom corner saved by an outstretched Marques.
Calamitously down the other end of the field it was the Spirit who produced a crazy opening goal in the 58th minute as Kaye had the ball in his hands, only for it to bobble out as Okubo proceeded to take one touch then a header to score his fifth of the 2025 campaign.
Okubo came very close to a second in the 81st minute as he went on a sideways run, only for him to take one touch too many and lose possession.
The visitors proceeded to close the game with some resolute defence as the full time whistle blew as the three points were celebrated by Spirit who continued their amazing 2025 form keeping them atop of the ladder.
NWS Spirit FC star midfielder Frankie Ljucovic was delighted with the result as his side took home the three points in what is a tough place to come to on a Friday evening.
“We stayed together defensively tonight and our in-game organisation was crucial because it was a very direct affair for both sides.
“Manly weren’t easy to play against, they are very good side, however I thought that we kept a level head during crucial moments of the game.
“As for David Perkovic, it’s been fun working under him as he prepares us in the best possible way every day through his detailed approach. He’s a big part of why we are in our current position on the ladder.”
Match Stats
Manly United 0
NWS Spirit 1 (Yu Okobo 58’)
Friday 21 March 2025
Cromer Park
Referee: Declan Woods
Assistant Referees: Arinath Gobinath and Isaac Riggs
Fourth Official: Jasper White
Manly United: 1.Levi Kaye, 2.Aaron O’Driscoll. 3.Matthew O’Donoghue, 4.Jesse Piriz, 6.Bilal Belkadi, 7.Peter Kekeris, 9.Benjamin Koop, 11.Lucas Meek, (12.Rocco Pelle 71’), (13.Taiga Kawano 61’), (16.Ryan Devine 71’), (17.Farah Koko 61’), 19.Alen Aganovic, 23.Darcy Burgess, 26.Harry Van Der Saag
Unused subs: 18.Jay Coates, 28.Jasper Chipman
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
NWS Spirit FC: 1.Christopher Marques, (3.Kyah Williams 87’), (4.Bradie Smith 79’), 5.Jordan Perez, 6.Corey Kavanagh, 7.Frankie Ljucovic, 8.Grant Cornwell, 9.Yu Okobo, 13.Simon Nicholas, (14.Marco Arambasic 65’), 15.Jamie Percevski, 17.Jacob Chidiac, 19.Zayne Ahluwalia, 22.Takumi Ofuka
Unused subs: 12.Robert Fanella, 16.Charlie Broomhead, 20.Austin Oates
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Player Ratings:
3: Yu Okobo (NWS)
2: Frankie Ljucovic (NWS)
1: Jacob Chidiac (NWS)
-By Tobias Canning
