Dynamic Sydney FC edge out newcomers SD Raiders

Sydney FC produced an energetic and composed performance to claim a 3-2 opening-round victory over newly promoted SD Raiders FC at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night, handing the visitors a stern introduction to National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW football.

Despite the defeat, Southern District showed plenty of fight on their return to the top flight, scoring twice and pushing the Sky Blues deep into the contest.

On a pleasant evening under lights, Sydney FC wasted little time asserting themselves. In the third minute, Jordan Graoroski broke in behind a high Raiders defensive line, but the SD Raiders goalkeeper reacted well, committing low to his left to deny an early opener.

The hosts opened their account for the 2026 season in the seventh minute from a well-worked set piece. A corner swung to the back post was met powerfully by Reef Farias, whose thumping header flew past the outstretched arms of the Raiders goalkeeper.

Southern District were gifted a golden opportunity to respond in the 12th minute after a loose touch from Wataru Kamijo was seized upon by Sebastian Malafara. Racing through one-on-one with Jared Williams, Malafara blasted his effort over the crossbar.

Sydney FC skipper Mitchell Glasson had his first look at goal in the 19th minute, stretching to meet Corey Cronin’s cross from the left, but the delivery proved just beyond his reach.

The Sky Blues doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute following a slick team move. Neat combination play through midfield released Farias out wide, whose lofted cross to the far post was nodded back across goal by Taye Hedley for Glasson to head home from close range.

Kamijo nearly added another moment of quality soon after, producing a sublime half-volleyed ball over the top to release Glasson, whose driven cross found Graoroski, though the winger couldn’t convert under pressure.

Williams was called into action for the first time in the 43rd minute, diving sharply to his right to parry Charlie Ragg’s first-time strike through a crowded penalty area.

Southern District pulled one back in first-half stoppage time after Malafara was brought down in the box. Luka Knezevic calmly converted the resulting penalty, sending Williams the wrong way to give the visitors renewed belief heading into the break.

Sydney FC restored their two-goal cushion just seconds after the hour mark, with substitute Nikolas Alfaro making an instant impact. Capitalising on hesitation in the Raiders defence, Alfaro drove forward and fired a low strike from outside the box into the side netting less than 30 seconds after entering the contest.

Williams remained alert late on, producing a sharp reaction save in the 84th minute to deny a long-range effort that was destined for the bottom corner.

The hosts nearly sealed the result in the 86th minute when Alfaro intercepted a loose Raiders pass to send Zac Fowler through on goal, but the forward lifted his attempt over the bar.

Southern District ensured a tense finish in the 87th minute as Martin Fernandez finished neatly after strong hold-up play from Robert Eremugo off a long ball, cutting the deficit to one.

Raiders head coach Goran Ljuboja praised his side’s resilience despite the defeat.

“We never stop pushing. Even if things aren’t going well on the ball, these guys will run for 120 minutes,” Ljuboja said.

“We can be 4-0 down and there’s no going back — we go hard, and I know the players will find success.”

Sydney FC coach Jim van Weeren described the Round One win as a rewarding start following a demanding pre-season.

“I thought the boys were excellent with the ball tonight,” van Weeren said.

“We probably could have scored more, and we always seem to make it interesting by conceding late and giving them a sniff.”

Match Stats

Sydney FC 3 (Reef Farias 7’, Mitchell Glasson 23’, Nikolas Alfaro 69’)
SD Raiders FC 2 (Luka Knezevic 48’ pen, Martin Fernandez 87’)

Friday 6 February 2026
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre

Referee: Reece Edwards
Assistant Referees: James Southon, Dante Diaz
Fourth Official: Damien Delovski

Sydney FC: 12. Jared Williams (GK), 3. Reef Farias, 7. Jordan Graoroski (11. Junior Conde 81’), 8. Wataru Kamijo (6. Nicolas Calder 85’), 10. Taye Hedley, 14. Jared Middleton, 19. Mitchell Glasson (C) (9. Zac Fowler 85’), 27. Lachlan Middleton, 33. Marin France (21. Zachary De Jesus 45’), 34. Tyler Williams, 47. Corey Cronin (26. Nikolas Alfaro 69’)
Unused substitute: 40. Ben Mooney (GK)

Yellow Cards: Jared Middleton 48’, Tyler Williams 51’
Red Cards: None

SD Raiders FC: 1. Mihael Figeira (GK), 7. Mihael Marcic (16. Oliver Velnic 59’), 8. James Letta (C), 10. Luka Knezevic, 12. Lachlan McGrath, 18. Charlie Ragg (15. Matthew Lee 77’), 21. Sebastian Malafara, 22. Yonatan Sebhatu (14. Noah Chianese 30’), 23. Thomas Makko (17. Martin Fernandez 45’), 37. Robert Eremugo, 47. Ethan Beaven (5. Jett McCue-Shore 59’)
Unused substitute: 31. Oliver Przydacz (GK)

Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None

Player Ratings

3 – Mitchell Glasson (Sydney FC)
2 – Reef Farias (Sydney FC)
1 – Wataru Kamijo (Sydney FC)

-By Ikko Ehode Arimoto