Sky Blues Show Steel in Heated Win Over Marconi
Sydney FC held firm in a fiery encounter on Friday night, securing a hard-fought 1–0 victory over the Marconi Stallions at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
In a Match of the Round clash that lived up to its billing, an early strike from Wataru Kamijo proved decisive as Sydney FC survived a relentless second-half barrage in a contest that saw referee Jake Rose issue 12 yellow cards.
The high-tempo Round 4 fixture pitted second-placed Marconi against fourth-placed Sydney FC, and it took just six minutes for the deadlock to be broken. A slick, incisive passage of play carved open the Stallions’ defence before Kamijo unleashed a powerful finish beyond the reach of Joel Wade, stunning the home crowd and handing Sydney FC the perfect start.
Sydney FC nearly doubled their advantage in the 20th minute when Corey Cronin whipped a first-time cross toward the near post. Captain Mitchell Glasson timed his run to perfection but, under intense pressure from Teng Kuol, could not direct his effort on target.
The visitors continued to threaten, and just past the half-hour mark Zachary De Jesus surged forward and delivered a teasing lofted cross onto Glasson’s head, only for Wade to react sharply and tip the powerful header over the bar.
Marconi’s first major opportunity arrived in the 27th minute when Jack Armson pounced on a loose second ball and drove through midfield before firing a low strike toward the bottom corner. Sydney FC goalkeeper Jared Williams stood tall, producing a strong-handed save to preserve the lead.
The Stallions began to grow into the contest late in the first half, asserting themselves in midfield and testing the goal from range. Franco Maya came agonisingly close to equalising in the 41st minute, his half-volley flashing narrowly wide with Williams at full stretch.
The second half became an exhibition of Sydney FC’s defensive resolve.
Marconi dominated territory and launched wave after wave of attacks, pinning Sydney FC deep inside their own half.
Maya again threatened in the 64th minute with an audacious effort from an acute angle that sailed just over the crossbar. The closest the Stallions came to levelling arrived in the 73rd minute when Kuol rose highest at the back post, powering a header goalward that crashed against the crossbar with Williams beaten.
Despite a sustained period of pressure and a persistent presence in the attacking third during the final quarter, Marconi could not find the clinical touch required to break the deadlock.
Sydney FC defended courageously, throwing bodies on the line and maintaining composure in a tense, card-heavy finale to secure three valuable points.
Post-match, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren praised his side’s resilience under extreme pressure as they defeated one of the competition’s heavyweights.
“Marconi are one of the serious heavyweights of this competition and they really tested us,” he said.
“Some of the defending in and around our box was as good as you’ll see. It shows the psychological resilience of these boys under maximum pressure.”
Marconi coach Peter Tsekenis lamented the early concession and his side’s missed opportunities.
“We conceded early — they came out hungry,” he said.
“The entire second half we were bombarding them, but we just couldn’t hit the target. I thought there was a clear penalty there, but when you leave it to decisions to go your way, it normally doesn’t.”
In a clash defined by intensity, fine margins and unwavering resistance, Sydney FC emerged with the spoils, leaving Marconi to reflect on a dominant second-half display that ultimately yielded no reward.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 1 (Wataru Kamijo 6’)
Marconi Stallions FC 0
Friday 27 February, 2026
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Jake Rose
Assistant Referees: Aaron Bloch and Alexandar Zastavnikovic
Fourth Official: Blake Sanchez-Cruz
Sydney FC: 12. Jared Williams (GK), 3. Reef Farias, 8. Wataru Kamijo, 10. Taye Hedley (26. Nickolas Alfaro 85’), 14. Jared Middleton, 17. Samuel Lancaster (34. Tyler Williams 85’), 19. Mitchell Glasson (C) (6. Nicolas Calder 61’), 21. Zachary De Jesus (16. Miles Milliner 65’), 27. Lachlan Middleton, 29. Joe Lacey (7. Jordan Graoroski 61’), 47. Corey Cronin.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Max Bertoia (GK).
Yellow Cards: Zachary De Jesus 12’, Samuel Lancaster 43’, Reef Farias 45’, Mitchell Glasson 58’.
Marconi Stallions FC: 1. Joel Wade (GK), 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. George Daniel, 6. Teng Kuol, 7. Franco Maya Valiente (17. Sunday Yona), 9. Damian Tsekenis (8. Adam Bugarija 81’), 10. Marko Jesic (C) (3. Cameron Windust 68’), 11. Matej Busek (12. Julian Monge 81’), 14. Jack Armson, 16. Luca Pecora (2. Tyren Burnie 68’), 23. Quinten Blair.
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Oliver Yates (GK), 21. Noah Anderson, 17.
Yellow Cards: Marko Jesic 12’, Teng Kuol 33’, Jack Armson 37’, Brett Studman 52’, Matej Busek 56’, Franco Maya Valiente 78’, George Daniel 81’, Anton Mlinaric 92’.
Player Ratings:
3 – Jared Williams (GK) (SFC)
2 – Wataru Kamijo (SFC)
1 – Zachary De Jesus (SFC)
-By Ikko Ehode Arimoto
