Krslovic Hat-Trick Sparks Stunning Sydney United 58 Comeback
Sydney United 58 produced a stunning second-half comeback with young gun substitute Michael Krslovic the star of the show scoring a hat-trick to defeat UNSW FC 5-2 at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon, launching their 2026 NPL Men’s NSW campaign in emphatic fashion.
Both sides entered the season opener eager to make an early statement, with Sydney United 58 enjoying the added motivation of welcoming back former players, officials and coaches for the occasion.
The hosts created the first opening of the afternoon when Gabriel Tilo cut inside his marker and curled an effort straight at UNSW FC goalkeeper Cassius Flavell. UNSW FC soon found their rhythm, particularly down the left flank through Emilio Vinci and Jyden Harb, and threatened in the 11th minute when Jack Fulton drove a shot comfortably gathered by Vedran Janjetovic.
Tilo continued to be Sydney United 58’s main attacking spark, twice finding space on the edge of the area, while UNSW FC responded with neat build-up play that ended with Harb firing a tame effort as both sides searched for the breakthrough.
Sydney United 58 went close from a pair of set pieces midway through the half. Tomoki Wada curled a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar in the 34th minute before Mason Wells forced a superb save from Flavell after meeting Wada’s dangerous corner.
Just as the half appeared set to end goalless, UNSW FC struck in stoppage time. Harb roamed in from the wing and produced a sublime curling finish into the top corner to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break.
UNSW FC carried that momentum into the second half, with Lachlan Campbell rattling the crossbar early after the restart. Sydney United 58 responded decisively in the 56th minute when Tomislav Ozanic slalomed through the defence and finished clinically to level the scores.
Parity was short-lived. Barely a minute later, Fulton restored UNSW FC’s advantage with a drilled effort into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.
Sydney United 58 turned to their bench for inspiration and were rewarded in the 76th minute. Substitute Nicholas Pratezina delivered a teasing cross that caused chaos in the box before fellow substitute Michael Krslovic reacted quickest to tap home the equaliser.
The match continued to swing end-to-end, with UNSW FC substitute Connor Quilligan releasing Harb, whose effort was tipped over by Janjetovic. Moments later, Sydney United 58 completed the turnaround. Krslovic’s initial shot was blocked before Wada followed up to fire home and make it 3-2 in the 82nd minute.
The hosts sealed the result four minutes later with a devastating counter-attack, Wells cushioning a pass into the path of Krslovic, who calmly finished to claim his second goal. Krslovic completed a memorable hat-trick in the 88th minute after Sydney United 58’s high press forced a turnover, the forward sweeping home to cap off a remarkable comeback.
Sydney United 58 closed out the final minutes comfortably to claim a dramatic and confidence-boosting opening-round victory.
Returning head coach Miro Vlastelica kept his post-match assessment brief, describing it simply as a “great win” to start the season.
MATCH STATS
Sydney United 58 5 (Ozanic 56’, Krslovic 76’, 86’, 88’, Wada 82’)
UNSW FC 2 (Harb 45+2’, Fulton 57’)
Sydney United Sports Centre
Sunday 8 February 2026
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Amber Morris & Isaac Riggs
Fourth Official: Benjamin Hutchison
Sydney United 58: 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 8. Tomoki Wada (5. Anthony Tomelic ’84), 9. Kyle Cimenti (19. Michael Krslovic ’72), 12. Gabriel Tilo (22. Nicolas Pratezlina ’72), 14. Liam Mcging, 16. Anthony Krilic, 17. Michael Glassock (21. Koya Nakano ’59), 20. Vedran Janjetovic, 23. Mason Wells, 44. Tomislav Ozanic
Unused subs: 1. Adam Pavlesic, 2. Max Burrato, 15. Adrian Knez
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
UNSW FC: 2. Timothy Wohlfiel (22. Gil Duffy ’89), 3. Emilio Vinci (4. Wood ’71), 6. Grant Lynch, 8. Tacettin Kumsuz (30. Oliver Stanic ’89), 11. Jack Fulton (18. Connor Quilligan ’71), 12. Cassius Flavell, 14. Lachlan Campbell, 15. Corby Fowler, 17. Jyden Harb, 19. Oliver Pufflett (7. Matias Da Silva Santos ’84), 20. Anthony Barbic
Unused subs: 24. Thomas Hynes, 30. Oliver Stanic, 31. Sean Collins
Yellow cards: Wohlfiel ’42 Campbell ‘65
Red cards: nil
Match Points
3: Michael Krslovic (Sydney United 58)
2: Mason Wells (Sydney United 58)
1: Jyden Harb (UNSW FC)
-By Justin Davies
