Action galore as Sky Blues and Saints share the points
Points were shared in a tense but highly entertaining 1-1 draw between Sydney FC and St George FC at Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night.
Sydney FC and St George FC walked onto a cool Ilinden Sports Centre aiming for three points to kick off Round 28.
The Sky Blues authored the first chance. Marin France cut inside his man and curled an effort towards goal which took a deflection.
Sydney FC made it 1-0 in the 10th minute from a corner. It was swung in from Taye Headley and found the head of Akol Akon to nod home.
St George FC pushed forward for an equaliser. They had an indirect free-kick which was played to Bai Antoniou which was blocked wide.
Antoniou was central to the action for the visitors. He combined with Jaden Casella for the latter to fizz wide in the 19th minute.
Despite conceding St George FC racked up the set pieces. Their next one fell to Troy Danaskos who poked wide.
Next, Sydney FC tried their luck from a free-kick. Mathias Macallister curled an effort right at St George FC custodian Mackenzie Syron.
The Saints kept marching forward for a goal. Gianni Di Pizio released Casella who bent another effort just past the post.
Macallister almost produced a stunner right on half-time. He spied Syron off his line and tried a long-range effort which the shot stopper pushed wide.
The Sky Blues started the second half again with energy. France wriggled past defenders and swiveled a shot straight at Syron.
St George FC substitute Justin Poon almost made an instant impact. He was sent through and his shot was well saved by Sydney FC keeper Alexander Zaverdinos.
They kept pushing for the equaliser with another solid chance. It fell nicely to Kaidyn Wright who forced Zaverdinos into another save.
Sydney FC held their line well and had a free-kick close to the area. Macallister thudded his shot against the wall and St George FC swept away.
St George FC equalised late in the game. A corner swung right onto the boot of Troy Danaskos to thump home for 1-1 in the 85th minute.
The visitors had a late free-kick to snatch the game. It was played short into Antoniou who couldn’t find the mark then the follow up was headed over.
St George FC had one final trick up their sleeve. They had another corner which fell to substitute Nicholas Kalogerou who was denied by Zaverdinos to preserve a point.
Post match, Sydney FC boss Jimmy Van Weeren reflected on the contest which saw his side drop two points.
“It was a frustrating result for us but I think [Alexander] Zaverdinos made some crucial saves for us as they dominated the second half. We needed to kill off the game in the first half and not give a quality team like St George FC chances.” said Van Weeren.
For St George FC manager Fabian Miceli talked about an improved second half from his side to earn a point.
“I thought we dominated the second half after conceding the goal in the first half from a set piece. We deserved all three points in my opinion, both sides played good football for the crowd tonight.” said Miceli.
MATCH STATS
Sydney FC 1 (Akon ’10)
St George FC 1 (Danaskos ’85)
Friday 15 August 2025
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Harriet Gee
Assistant Referees: Damien Delovski & Benjamin Eisikovich
Fourth Official: Rory McFarlane
Sydney FC: 6. Tyler Williams, 9. Mathias Macallister (8. Reef Farias ’85), 10. Taye Headley, 12. Alexander Zaverdinos, 14. Jared Middleton, 16. Nicholas Zdrillic, 21. Zachary De Jesus (19. Jordan Graoroski ’62), 27. Lachlan Middleton, 29. Joe Lacey (39. Dylan Rose ’46), 33. Marin France (7. Nickolas Alfaro ’76), 44. Akol Akon (47. Caelan Marshall-Witte ’62)
Unused subs: 1. Jacob Cremen-Cowan
Yellow cards: Zdrillic ‘45+2 Williams ’63 ‘90
Red cards: nil
St George FC: 2. Rocco Smith, 2. Troy Danaskos, 8, Evangelo Souris (14. Justin Poon ’59), 9. Chan Yelchan (4. Javier Rodriguez ’69), 10. Jaden Casella, 15. Bai Antoniou, 16. Kaidyn Wright (13. Sunday Yona ’82), 18. Gianni Di Pizio (19. Nikola Skataric ’69), 27. Jayden Seeto, 28. Jesper Webber (5. Nicholas Kalogerou ’59), 99. Mackenzie Syron
Unused subs: 20. Daniel Axford
Yellow cards: Smith ‘27
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Alexander Zaverdinos (SFC)
2: Troy Danaskos (STG)
1: Bai Antoniou (STG)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
