Honours shared as Rangers and Sharks play out scoreless draw

Mt Druitt Town Rangers and the Sutherland Sharks played out a scoreless draw as both teams fought tooth and nail in salvaging a point at a red hot Popondetta Park on Saturday evening. 

The Rangers had the first chance of the game as star Brazilian player Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos lofted one in for Joe Gibbs to crane wide.

Next it was John Azar who curled an effort wide of the right post as the Rangers tried to make a fast start.

The Rangers had another header from Gibbs which again whistled past the post in a bright opening as the hosts went in search for that elusive first goal.

Sutherland Sharks FC finally found their rhythm and had their first shot soon after. Substitute Ikko Ehode Arimoto drove one from distance which Dylan Niski turned wide.

Oliveira looked the most dangerous for the hosts. He stood over a free-kick which he sent over the bar.

Neither team could find a breakthrough and the game went into half-time in a stalemate at 0-0 as both teams knew this was an important clash to secure points.

Sutherland Sharks FC started the second half brighter and pushed forward looking for the opener.

Lucas Ciaramella tried to have a first time shot for the Sharks but the ball fell straight to Niski.

He tried again in the 57th minute from a set piece, this time, his header was flicked wide of the mark.

The Sharks kept conjuring chances past the hour mark as substitutes Peter Grozos and Dylan Susovic fired over.

The Rangers went close from a corner. Oliveira put the set piece right on the head of Zac Sfiligoi who turned it wide.

Next, it was Joey Gibbs who tried his luck. He found space inside the box and whipped an effort past the right post.

Heading into the final ten minutes, both sides turned to their benches trying to find some spark in the hope of taking the three points.

Oliveira was the main man for Rangers. He drove forward and tried a long range effort which flayed wide.

He almost turned provider moments later. He chipped a ball right to substitute Olayinka Sunmola who couldn’t sort his feet and Sharks keeper Danijel Nizic fell on it.

There was one final chance for the visitors as Mohamed Ahmed found space on the left and unfurled a strike right at Niski.

The full-time whistle blew and both teams shared the points in a game where they were looking to move up the NPL Men’s NSW ladder.

Post-match Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC coach Andrew Montgomery reflected on a positive performance from his side.

“We were good, we created more opportunities to finish goals which hasn’t been there in the last few games however we just had no end product.

“Who doesn’t love a clean sheet and credit to the boys, they have remained positive and all believe that the results will turn.” said Montgomery.

Sutherland Sharks FC coach Steven Zoric stated that this performance showed his team were slowly coming on the up once more.

“I thought we should’ve got something from that game because we dominated that second half.

“We have a lot of injuries and suspensions which means we had two young boys who played well.

“We need to start getting bodies into the box and attacking the ball to score some goals.” said Zoric.

Match Stats

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC 0

Sutherland Sharks FC 0

Saturday May 10 2025

Popondetta Park

Referee: Danny Horstead

Assistant Referees: Hayden Kaye & Amirhossein Hosnani

Fourth Official: Joel Crawford

Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC: 1. Dylan Niski, 2. Alexander Trajanoski, 4. Zac Sfiligoi, 6. Jared Macerola, 9. Joseph Gibbs, 10. Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos, 11. John Azar (14. Olayinka Sunmola ‘62), 15. Caleb Jackson-Brown (7. Garang Awac ‘80), 20 Thomas Lopez (22. Jude Rankin ‘88), 21. William Rankin, 27. Shayden Sampow

Unused subs: 7. Garang Awac, 14. Olayinka Sunmola, 16. Stefan Giglio, 22. Jude Rankin

Yellow cards: Macerola

Red cards: nil

Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Danijel Nizic, 2. Lachlan Macdonald, 6. Mohamed Ahmed, 8. Nicholas Sullivan (12. Ikko Ehode Arimoto ‘19), 10. Dane Anderson (14. Dylan Susovic ‘50), 15. Lucas Ciaramella (9. Reuben Awaritefe ‘58), 17. Richard Shoueiki, 21. Jerry Skotadis, 22. Kotaro Katsuta, 23. Mason Fernandez (7. Peter Grozos ‘45), 26. Jacob Garner

Unused subs: 3. Jordan Roberts, 30. Sebastian Arranz

Yellow cards: Arimoto ‘27 Ahmed ‘36 Shoueiki ‘44

Red cards: nil

Player Ratings:

3: Caleb Jackson-Brown (MDTR)

2: Zac Sfiligoi (MDTR)

1: Danijel Nizic (SSFC)

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)