Spirit out foxed by Sky Blues young gun
Sydney FC halted NWS Spirit FC’s recent winning streak with a commanding 2-0 victory at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday.
The game was a tense struggle for the opening 15 minutes with neither side able to generate a major opportunity.
Sydney FC were the first side to author a shot. A pass inside the box released Tiago Quintal who whipped a shot right at NWS Spirit FC keeper Christopher Marques who smothered the ball.
The visitors pounced on a loose pass and Takumi Ofuka had a tight angle shot which Sydney FC custodian Gus Hoefsloot covered well.
The Sky Blues went closest to opening the scoring soon after. Zachary De Jesus threaded a ball for Joe Lacey who thumped his shot against the underside of the bar, it was a huge let off for the Spirit side.
NWS Spirit FC were however hungry to find the back of the net. They recycled the ball well then Bradie Smith ballooned one over the bar.
They had the final chance of the first half as Zayne Ahluwalia’s ball found the head of Yu Okubo who craned it wide.
The visitors almost had the dream start in the second half. Okubo tried to stab one towards goal but Sydney FC swept it away.
Sydney FC had a set piece of their own soon after. Substitute Mathias Macallister curled in a free-kick which hit a defender and went out for a corner.
The deadlock was soon broken in the 56th and it was the Sky Blues who rejoiced after Lacey slipped a wonderful through ball to Taye Headley who made no mistake finishing with ease as the youngsters celebrated the opener.
Quintal tried to double the advantage soon after the opener as he drove forward and whistled an effort wide of the left post.
Sydney FC continued to push forward for another goal. Will Kennedy bent an effort towards goal which Marques tipped away.
Another FC substitute Marin France almost profited from a NWS Spirit FC mistake. He put his foot through the ball and sent it over.
France didn’t miss with his second opportunity following some superb work from substitute Joseph Calusic into the path of the striker to fire home for 2-0 in the 87th minute.
NWS Spirit FC surged forward in stoppage time looking for a late consolation goal. Substitute Lincoln Gilmour went closest with his fizzing strike.
The young Sky Blues saw out the rest of the game and earned a valuable three points in their chase for the top six while in the process denting Spirit’s recent good run.
Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren reflected on a strong performance from his side tonight:
“The boys edged the first half then we were good in the second half dealing with their balls over the top.
“Spirit are having a good season, so for our young boys to show positive performances and results is pleasing for us.” said Van Weeren.
NWS Spirit FC coach David Perkovic conceded that his side were second best on the evening.
“I just though that Sydney FC were better than us today.
“We weren’t on the same page as them tonight, they were more effective.
“We didn’t create enough, defend well and overall a poor performance from us.” said Perkovic.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 2 (Headley ’56 France ‘87)
NWS Spirit FC 0
Friday 23 May 2025
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Casey Reibelt
Assistant Referees: Lucy Hungerford & Amber Morris
Fourth Official: Rory McFarlane
Sydney FC: 6. Tyler Williams, 10. Taye Headley, 14. Jared Middleton, 18. Alen Harbas (9. Mathias Macallister ’17), 20. Tiago Quintal (47. Corey Cronin ‘66), 21. Zachary De Jesus, 24. Wataru Kamijo (15. Samuel Lancaster ’66), 27. Lachlan Middleton, 29. Joe Lacey (33. Marin France ’66), 37. Will Kennedy (4. Joseph Calusic ’77)
Unused subs: 12. Alexander Zaverdinos
Yellow cards: Macallister ‘71
Red cards: nil
NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 4. Bradie Smith, 7. Frankie Ljucovic, 8. Grant Cornwell (3. Kyah Williams ’61), 9. Yu Okubo, 10. Michael Konestabo, 13. Simon Nicholas, 15. Jamie Percevski, 19. Zayne Ahluwalia (23. Lincoln Gilmour ’77), 21. Harry Keys (17. Jacob Chidiac ’71), 22. Takumi Ofuka (14. Marco Arambasic ’61)
Unused subs: 20. Austin Oates, 51. Christophe Chen
Yellow cards: Cornwall ’17 Arambasic ‘88
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings
3: Taye Headley (SFC)
2: Lachlan Middleton (SFC)
1: Will Kennedy (SFC)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
