Vlastelica keeps Sydney United 58 finals hopes alive
Sydney United 58 have cracked an eight-game winless run with a gutsy 1-0 win over an inconsistent Blacktown City to leap back into the top six in the final match of round 27 played on Wednesday at the Sydney United Sports Centre.
It was a massive effort from Ante Juric’s troops who backed up from a massive Hahn Australia Cup Round of 16 clash against Sydney FC last Sunday.
The first half made clear why the two sides are so close on the ladder in this late stage of the competition.
Both Sydney United 58 and Blacktown City tried some half-hearted attacks early, but each had their defences locked down.
Mitchell Mallia showed why he’s been so dangerous for Blacktown City this season, producing some fancy footwork just after the 10 minute mark and almost finding his way through the Sydney United 58 defence.
An unfortunate fall for Blacktown City goalkeeper Cayden Henderson almost spelled disaster for the visitors, but ex-Blacktown City man Mario Shabow couldn’t catch the ball in time before it went out for a goal kick.
Blacktown City collected plenty of yellow cards from referee Kelly Jones in the first half.
Nick O’Brien was shown a yellow for a dodgy tackle on Liam Mcging (despite an initial case of mistaken identity) while Daniel McHugh picked up one of his own for shirt pulling.
Jakob Cresnar was very lucky to escape with no cards or fouls for a silly tackle in the box, with referee Jones letting it slide.
Despite plenty of action in the first half, the teams went to the sheds level at 0-0.
Sydney United 58 started the second half with new energy, mostly keeping possession for the first stanza.
Aiden Milicevic had the first real opportunity of the second half, producing a good run but eventually shot too early.
Adam Berry shone for Blacktown City in the final half, with a great shot at the 58th minute forcing a great save from Sydney United 58 keeper Vedran Janjetovic.
There were plenty of back and forth and near misses from both sides, but it was Sydney United 58 who finally broke the 0-0 deadlock.
After a stunning near-miss from Bailey Rule in the 83rd minute, Richie Darko crossed in from the corner to the rising head of Adrian Vlastelica for a 1-0 lead to the home side.
Sydney United 58 coach Ante Juric said the three points was exactly what his side needed.
“I’m super happy with that performance,” Juric said.
“We sort of followed on from the Australia Cup because I thought we were excellent there and today was very similar.
“So to get the win is a super bonus, obviously you want to win but the performance was unbelievable.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 1 (Adrian Vlastelica 84’)
Blacktown City FC 0
Wednesday August 13th, 2025
Sydney United Football Centre, Edensor Park
Sydney United 58 FC: 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 8. Mario Shabow, 14. Liam McGing, 15. Adrian Knez (13. Finn Ballard McBride 86’), 17. Michael Glassock, 19. Aidan Milicevic, 21. Vedran Janjetovic, 23. Mason Wells (9. Patrick Antelmi 60’), 30. Marco Arambasic (12. Richard Darko 60’), 43. Michael Pratezina (32. Tomislav Ozanic 81’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Mitchell Carter, 16. Anthony Krilic
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards: Nil
Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson (GK), 5. Grant Lynch, 6. Adam Berry, 7. Travis Major (c), 9. Keanue Moore (19. Sebastian Hayward 64’), 10. Maksim Jez (22. Jacob Maniti 81’), 12. Daniel McHugh (35. Riley Nolan 86’), 14. Mitchell Mallia, 16. Benjamin Berry (25. Reuben Awaritefe 86’), 18. Nicholas O’Brien,23. Jakob Cresnar
Substitutes Not Used: 24. Jackson Bandiera, 30. William Kinghan
Yellow Cards: Nicholas O’Brien 36’, Daniel McHugh 38’, Grant Lynch 44’, Jacob Maniti 90+5’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Mario Shabow (Sydney United 58)
2 – Cayden Henderson (Blacktown City)
1 – Bailey Rule (Sydney United 58)
By Katrina May
