Danzo stunner sends Ilinden to the Preliminary Finals
Rockdale Ilinden have advanced to the NPL Men’s NSW Preliminary Final where they will take on 2025 Premiers NWS Spirit FC after beating Blacktown City in their Elimination Final at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
After a tense opening five minutes, it was Rockdale Ilinden who found an early goal, with a sensational strike from Isaac Danzo giving the home side the lead in crucial Elimination Final.
A brilliant piece of skill down the right flank from Moudi Najjar opened up space for a cross, and he found the head of Alec Urosevski who was lurking at the far-post.
The striker nodded the ball back across goal, finding Danzo just outside the box.
With his first touch, the classy central midfielder unleashed a sensational strike, finding the top-left corner in style with a sumptuous volley.
It was a brilliant start for Rockdale, and 10 minutes later, they went devastatingly close to doubling their lead, with a brilliant save from Cayden Henderson keeping the deficit to just one goal.
Receiving on the left, some neat footwork from Urosevski allowed him to get a ball into the box, which, via a deflection, found Najjar on the six-yard line.
The forward produced a shot which looked to wrong-foot Henderson, but Blacktown’s goalkeeper reacted quickly, getting his body in front of the effort to prevent Rockdale doubling their lead.
In the 21st minute, Blacktown produced their first meaningful moment of the match, with Riley Nolan beating Hunter Elliott and then finding Maksim Jez with a lofted cross to the far post.
Nicholas Sorras saved Jez’s effort, before Rockdale’s goalkeeper made another crucial stop, tipping over a strike from Adam Berry as was first to Ali Auglah’s clearence which fell on the edge of the box.
The chance resulted in a change in momentum however, with Blacktown, looking dejected in the opening 15 minutes, now controlling proceedings at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
But the game evened out once more shortly after, and it was Rockdale who created the next big chance of the match, with Henderson once more denying his opponents with another crucial save.
A clever ball from Danzo found Cholakian inside the box, and the attacking midfielder quickly hooked in a low cross, which was parried clear by Henderson.
The ball fell into the path of Urosevski who looked to find a way around Blacktown’s goalkeeper, but Henderson prevailed once more, with the striker hitting his shot straight into the young shotstopper.
The ending and opening of the first and second halves took a bit of a turn away from football, with the match becoming increasingly stop-start, featuring a few small scrimmages.
As the second stanza went on, chances remained at a minimum, with Rockdale doing well to begin to wind down the clock by winning set pieces and beginning to demonstrate some subtle ‘dark arts’.
With the match entering its final 15 minutes, Blacktown began to take control, with Rockdale’s defence moving deeper.
Opportunities was opening for the home side on transition, but they were struggling to find the quality to activate the space, as they missed numerous opportunities to find the pass to open up a golden chance to for a second goal.
In the 84th minute, Rockdale had their chance with a brilliant run and pass from Ali Auglah allowing Christopher McStay to find Moudi Najjar in the box.
With time, the forward looked to unleash an effort, but his shot lacked sufficient power or placement, with Henderson making a comfortable save.
The home side were looking the more likely team as they began to find their form on counter-attacks, with Blacktown struggling to create any opportunities with their season on the line.
In additional time, Blacktown had their chance, with Grant Lynch winning a header to find Keanu Moore across the face of goal, but the substitute couldn’t get his effort on target.
And, with the final whistle, it was Rockdale who prevailed, as they will face reigning Premiers NWS Spirit at Chrisite Park on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s terrific to get a win in the Elimination Semi,” said Rockdale coach Paul Dee.
“But Blacktown are a really good team, I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Critto (Mark Crittenden) and the Blacktown club.
“They put up a really good fight and it was a terrific Elimination Final, and we’re just really pleased to march onto the next stage.”
Rockdale Ilinden will now face NWS Spirit FC at Christie Park this Sunday with the winner advancing to the 2025 NPL Men’s NSW Grand Final at Jubilee Stadium to be held on Saturday 13th of September.
Match Stats
Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 (Danzo 6’)
Blacktown City FC 0
Wednesday 3 September, 2025
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Logan Jones
Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana and Arinath Gobinath
Fourth Official: Hayden Langholz
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. Nicholas Sorras, 2. Hunter Elliott, 5. Giorgio Speranza, 6. Isaac Danzo, 7. Alec Urosevski (C), 9. Moudi Najjar (23. Oliver Puflett 90’), 10. Brendan Cholakian (88. Christopher McStay 81’), 11. Lochlan Constable (18. Jerry Skotadis 90’), 14. Brayden Sorge, 22. Blake Ricciuto, 24. Ali Auglah (4. James Nikolovski 90’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Ronan Mulgrew, 46. Paul Kalamvokis
Yellow Cards: Ricciuto 39’, Urosevski 90+7’
Red Cards: None
Blacktown City FC: 1. Cayden Henderson, 4. Lachlan Campbell (19. Sebastian Hayward 51’), 5. Grant Lynch (C), 6. Adam Berry, 10. Maksim Jez, 16. Benjamin Berry, 18. Nicholas O’Brien, 22. Jacob Maniti, 23. Jakob Cresnar (9. Keanu Moore 75’), 25. Reuben Awaritefe (17. Martin Fernandez 58’), 35. Riley Nolan (11. Danny Choi 58’)
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Cooper Rogers, 24. Jackson Bandiera
Yellow Cards: Nolan 33’, Lynch 73’, Jez 81’, O’Brien 90+7’
Red Cards: None
By Jack George (@JackGeorge0004)
