Spirit continue to fire as Sharks stutter again

NWS Spirit FC continued its majestic run in the 2025 NPL Men’s NSW competition with a 3-1 win over an under fire Sutherland Sharks outfit at Seymour Shaw Park on Saturday.

The victory continues NWS Spirit FC’s push towards a Premiership while the loss for the Sharks sees Steven Zoric’s side teeter on the brink of a relegation dogfight between the Western Sydney Wanderers, Central Coast Mariners and Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

Several new faces adorned the pitch for the hosts but it was a welcome home for Brendan Gan, back in the Sharks’ line-up after many years playing overseas and representing Malaysia to bring a wealth of experience back to the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Kotaro Katsuta got under the ball to send the first shot in anger high and wide in the 10th minute with the move started on the right through Gan with a delightful ball forward ball that was played back across the box for the diminutive striker. It was quick, incisive and coupled with the high press it was cause for concern for the visitors.

Sutherland were looking highly motivated but it was Michael Konestabo who feinted to the left, dragged the ball back onto his right foot and, with a slight deflection, snuck the ball home at the near post to give Spirit the lead.

After weathering the early storm from the fast starting Sharks, Spirit didn’t panic and played their way into the match, the mentality that has led them to a winning formula, and third spot in the league prior to kick-off, as they masterfully grew into the match and slowly but surely began to control the game midway through the half.

Gan flashed a shot wide at the other end moments later which brought the healthy Seymour Shaw Park crowd to their feet in hope and anticipation. It was close but narrowly wide of the upright.

Konestabo should have netted a second on the half-hour but an incredulous point blank save from Danijel Nizic kept his side in the game, not for the first time this campaign. The Spirit striker was halfway into celebrating his brace when realizing the Sharks’ gloveman had kept it out and was left to hold his head in his hands. Nizic, back-to-back Goalkeeper of the Month recipient, denied Takumi Ofuka shortly after.

Jordan Perez fired the last attempt goalward, from a central freekick, that flew through the wall only for Nizic to palm away for a corner deep into added time as the home side found themselves under pressure but held on to stay just the one goal down at the break after a promising opening 45’ minutes.

Nizic required lengthy treatment immediately after a tackle from Harry Keys that resulted in the Spirit player being cautioned upon the restart.

Keys brought yet another fine save out of the Sharks’ ‘keeper when cutting in from the right to fire a low shot toward goal he did well to parry.

Spirit were awarded a penalty when substitute Mason Fernandez was adjudged to have impeded Keys inside the area with Konestabo stepping up to double the lead from the spot.

It was tough on Sutherland who had put in a cohesive and battling performance belying their lowly position on the ladder and could have found themselves three down when Ofuka found space in the box but Nizic produced yet another fantastic save at his near post to block the attempt.

With it all to do for Sutherland, Spirit used every opportunity to slow the game down and, being two goals to the good, were forcing the Sharks to become more courageous in pushing forward which played into their hands as they looked to hit the ball over the top and use their ample forward line pace.

Okubo had the final say for the visitors in a thoroughly professional performance when picking up the ball 25 yards out before unleashing a thunderous shot that left Nizic grasping fresh air as the still rising ball almost burst the net. A stunning strike from the Spirit substitute, another destined for the end of season highlights reel.

Andre Takami drew yet another stunning stop from Nizic who, although his side found themselves 3-0, had produced a wonderful display between the sticks despite the scoreline.

Sutherland for their part, played well, looked more cohesive and fluid and finally found the net in stoppage time through Matthew Moric from a driving run into the box to beat Christopher Marques. Little more than a consolation but a slip in the Spirit defence barely seconds later almost gifted the home side a second that would have made for a grandstand finish but it wasn’t to be.

NSW Spirit FC continued their magic run whilst the Sharks now need to pick themselves up, dust themselves down and prepare for a frantic final few weeks and with Blacktown City at Home next up, it’s an unenviable task ahead.

Match Stats

Sutherland Sharks: 1 (Matthew Moric 90+2’)

NWS Spirit FC: 3 (Michael Konestabo 16’, 56p’, Yu Okubo 84’)

Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda Saturday, 12th July, 2025, 2025

Referee: Mikayla Ryan

Assistants: Lance Greenshields and Joshua Kermond Fourth Official: Amber Morris

Sutherland Sharks: 1. Danijel Nizic, 2. Lachlan Macdonald, 4. Lachlan Fields, 7. Brendan Gan, 8. Nick Sullivan, 10. Yerasimakis Petratos (26. Jaden Gasking 65’), 12. Yianni Nicolau, 14. Matthew Jackson (23.Mason Fernandez 46’), 15. Matthew Moric, 19. Tariq Maia (44. Tye McGowan 77’), 22. Kotaro Katsuta

Subs not used: 3. Jordan Roberts, 6. Mo Ahmed, 30. Sebastian Arranz

Yellow Cards: Lachlan Fields 40’

Red Cards: Nil

NWS Spirit FC: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Kyah Williams, 5. Jordan Perez (8. Grant Cornwell 82’), 7. Frankie Ljucovic, 10. Michael Konestabo (17. Jacob Chidiac 86’), 11. Ollie Wiggin (9. Yu Okubo 64’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 15. Jamie Percevski (16. Charlie Broomhead  86’), 18. Andre Takami, 21. Harry Keys (19. Zane Ahluwalia 64’), 22. Takumi Ofuka

Subs not used: 51. Christophe Chen

Yellow Cards: Harry Keys 47’, 19. Zane Ahluwalia 67’, Yu Okubo 83’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Michael Konestabo (NWSFC)

2 – Danijel Nizic (SS)

1 – Takumi Ofuka (NWSFC)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock