Wanderers’ Late Show Stuns Sharks in Five-Goal Seymour Shaw Thriller

Western Sydney Wanderers produced a stunning comeback performance to defeat Sutherland Sharks 3–2 in a dramatic Friday night clash at Seymour Shaw Park, overturning an early deficit with three moments of brilliance to claim a memorable victory over the home side who have yet to register a win at their Shire base.

In a match filled with spectacular goals, sweeping attacking moves, controversy and late drama, strikes from Atiya Waraga, substitute Lachlan Sattout, and Jesse Cameron overturned an opener from Richard Shoueiki and a stoppage-time reply from Thijs van Amerongen, handing the Wanderers just their second victory over the Sharks in what proved to be an unforgettable contest.

The opening exchanges were lively as both sides looked to stamp their authority on the match. Oscar Moore fired the first real shot in anger for the Wanderers, electing to shoot from distance with Alaat Abdul-Rahman making a dangerous run into the area, but his effort slid narrowly wide of the post.

The Sharks responded almost immediately. Yianni Nicolaou saw a close-range effort blocked on the line at the back post before Jamie Percevski blasted a powerful shot goalward from the resulting corner, forcing Wanderers goalkeeper Tristan Vidackovic into an excellent save. Vidackovic was called into action again soon after when Richard Shoueiki weaved through defenders before unleashing a strike from the edge of the area, the Wanderers shot-stopper this time claiming the ball cleanly.

The Wanderers countered through Atiya Waraga, whose stinging effort was strongly palmed over the bar by Danijel Nizic, but it was the home side who eventually found the breakthrough.

In the 23rd minute, Jacob McLachlan fired a shot that Vidackovic could only parry into danger, and Richard Shoueiki reacted quickest to pounce on the rebound and fire home, sending the Seymour Shaw Park crowd into celebration.

However, the Sharks’ lead proved short-lived.

Just six minutes later, the Western Sydney Wanderers produced a moment of pure magic from the training ground. A cleverly worked short-corner routine ended with the ball at the feet of Atiya Waraga, who unleashed a thunderous strike that flew into the top corner with unstoppable venom. It was a goal of exceptional quality — an early contender for Goal of the Season — and it brought the match level at 1–1.

The visitors continued to press, with Danijel Nizic producing two excellent saves — first denying Alaat Abdul-Rahman before bravely diving at the feet of Awan Lual — but the scores remained locked at 1–1 heading into halftime.

Despite Sutherland Sharks enjoying much of the first-half momentum, the Western Sydney Wanderers came alive after the break and began to dominate proceedings.

Awan Lual remained central to the Wanderers’ attacking play, first finding the side netting before firing wide from a Harper Ryles cross as the visitors pushed for the lead.

The Sharks nearly punished them moments later in the 79th minute when Danijel Nizic launched a quick goal kick that found Nicholas Olsen in space down the left flank. Olsen surged forward and fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but with no Sharks attacker able to keep pace, the cross flashed harmlessly across the penalty area when the slightest touch would have restored the home side’s advantage.

The Wanderers responded in style.

In the 83rd minute, a flowing attacking move carved open the Sharks defence. Awan Lual slipped the ball through to Harper Ryles, who in turn set up substitute Lachlan Sattout. The forward kept his composure to prod home at the second attempt, completing a sweeping team move that gave the Wanderers a deserved 2–1 lead.

The drama was far from over.

With the clock ticking towards full time, Wanderers captain Oscar Morrison spotted Danijel Nizic off his line and audaciously clipped a free kick into the empty net. The visitors began celebrating wildly, only for the referee to disallow the strike after it was revealed the whistle had not yet been blown to restart play.

Yet the reprieve did little to help the Sharks.

From the retaken free kick, the ball eventually found Jesse Cameron, who coolly poked home at the second attempt in the 90th minute, extending the Wanderers’ lead to 3–1 and sparking jubilant celebrations among the travelling players and staff.

Adding to the evening’s unusual twists, referee Reece Edwards was forced to leave the field late in the contest and was replaced by fourth official Luke Chapman for the closing minutes.

The Sharks managed one final push and were rewarded in the 90+3rd minute when Thijs van Amerongen pulled one back to make it 3–2, but it proved too little too late as the Western Sydney Wanderers held firm to secure a thrilling and hard-earned victory.

Despite both teams entering the match in the lower reaches of the table, the contest delivered an outstanding spectacle for supporters, featuring superb goals, end-to-end football and late drama that ensured the crowd at Seymour Shaw Park witnessed one of the most entertaining matches of the season.

Match Stats

Sutherland Sharks 2 (Richard Shoueiki 23’, Thijs van Amerongen 90+3’)

Western Sydney Wanderers 3 (Atiya Waraga 29’, Lachlan Sattout 83’, Jesse Cameron 90’)

Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda – Friday, 6th March 2026

Referee: Reece Edwards
Assistants: Oscar Stewart & Hayden Burns
Fourth Official: Luke Chapman

Sutherland Sharks: 1 Danijel Nizic | 3 Yianni Nicolou | 4 Thijs van Amerongen | 6 Ryley Hollingdale | 7 Takumi Ofuku | 8 Brendan Gan | 14 Yuto Kokuryo (30 Julian Fedele 71’) | 15 Jamie Percevski (2 Lachlan Macdonald 67’) | 16 Jacob McLachlan | 17 Richard Shoueiki (10 Tariq Maia 71’) | 21 Nicholas Olsen

Substitutes Not Used: 11 Seung Joo (Danny) Choi | 12 James Husoy | 18 Gian Fiorese | 22 Tye McGowan

Yellow Cards: 18 Gian Fiorese 90+4’
Red Cards: Nil

Western Sydney Wanderers: 1 Tristan Vidackovic | 2 Nathan Barrie | 6 Oscar Morrison | 7 Alaat Abdul-Rahman | 9 Awan Lual | 11 Atiya Waraga (5 Jesse Cameron 81’) | 13 Noah Ovens | 14 Kade Baccus | 21 Rocco Macnamara | 23 Oscar Moore (27 Lachlan Sattout 74’) | 26 Bradley Marszal

Substitutes Not Used: 3 Ben Mewett | 4 Ricky Fransen | 12 Lucas Sinnott | 15 Joshua Cetinic | 20 Harper Ryles

Yellow Cards: 14 Kade Baccus 14’ | 4 Ricky Fransen 72’ | 21 Rocco Macnamara 82’
Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Atiya Waraga (Western Sydney Wanderers)
2 – Richard Shoueiki (Sutherland Sharks)
1 – Awan Lual (Western Sydney Wanderers)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock