Late Relief for Manly as Olympic Slide Deepens
Manly United secured a crucial 1–0 victory over Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday night, ending an eight-game winless run and breathing new life into their push to climb out of the bottom half of the ladder.
In a match loaded with pressure for both sides, it was Manly who delivered when it mattered most, claiming their first win since Round 1 and taking a significant step forward in what has been a challenging campaign.
For Sydney Olympic, however, the result deepens concerns. Once giants of the old NSL era, the club now finds itself languishing at the foot of the table, with alarm bells beginning to ring as their struggles continue.
Both teams came into the clash desperate for points after extended winless stretches, and that urgency was reflected in a tense, hard-fought contest where chances were limited and neither side was willing to give much away.
Manly looked the more likely in the first half, creating a handful of half-chances as they began to find some rhythm late in the opening period. Their best opportunity came in the 32nd minute when Samuel Griffiths chased down a loose ball after goalkeeper Josip Orlovic ventured off his line. Griffiths managed to deliver a cross into the danger area, but Olympic’s defence recovered well to clear.
Kakeru Ono then had two opportunities in quick succession in the 40th and 42nd minutes. The first, following a corner, saw him fire over the crossbar, while his second effort—arguably the better chance—was bravely blocked at close range by an Olympic defender.
Despite Manly’s slight edge, the first half ended goalless, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut openings.
The intensity lifted after the break, but the pattern of the game remained largely unchanged—tight, physical, and lacking in decisive moments in the final third.
Sydney Olympic came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 79th minute in what would prove to be a pivotal moment. Yuto Fujita whipped in a dangerous cross towards Marco Arambasic, whose header struck the left post and bounced away, leaving the home side inches from taking the lead.
That miss would prove costly.
Just four minutes later, Manly capitalised. Ayumu Kimura drilled a low ball across the face of goal that deflected kindly into the path of Stephen de Robillard, who reacted quickest to smash home from close range and finally break the deadlock in the 83rd minute.
It was a goal that not only settled the contest but also lifted a weight off Manly’s shoulders after weeks of frustration.
The visitors nearly added a second deep into stoppage time when de Robillard again found himself in behind, this time meeting an excellent pass from Luke Nieuwenhof. However, Orlovic produced a sharp save to keep Olympic’s faint hopes alive.
Ultimately, though, Manly’s defensive resolve saw them close out the match and secure a vital three points.
After the game, Manly coach Vladimir Knezevic praised his side’s persistence and belief, feeling the result was long overdue given their recent performances.
“I believe in the boys and I’ve never been nervous at any moment because I know they always give their best, and I knew the chances would come,” Knezevic told Football NSW.
Reflecting on the late winner, he added: “The boys play every game like that. You give your best and push forward while believing in yourself.”
Knezevic also spoke of his pride in the group, saying: “I am happy because I am coaching this group of boys—they are all very good.”
For Manly United, this result could prove to be a turning point in their season as they look to build momentum and steer clear of the lower reaches of the table.
For Sydney Olympic, however, the pressure continues to mount, with their position at the bottom of the ladder becoming an increasing concern in what is shaping as a difficult campaign.
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 0
Manly United 1 (Stephen de Robillard 83’)
Saturday 11 April
Belmore Sports Ground
Referee: Reece Edwards
Assistant Referees: Amirhossein Hosnani and Brayden McDonald
Fourth Official: Damien Delovski
Sydney Olympic: 1. Josip Orlovic, 2. Peter Politis, 3. Samuel Bosnjak (30. Joshua Da Silva 81’), 4. Joshua Hong (21. Yuta Komura 67’), 5. Ziggy Gordon, 11. Giorgos Louca (31. Yuto Fujita 46’), 16. Bailey Callaghan, 23. Brooklyn Mallia, 24. Ben Giason, 34. Marcus Fernandez, 35. Daniel Wong (9. Marco Arambasic 67’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Peter Grozos, 22. Harry Peek, 40. Anthony Carreras
Yellow Cards: Joshua Hong 66’, Marcus Fernandez 70’
Red Cards: Nil
Manly United: 3. Matthew O’Donoghue, 4. Jesse Piriz, 5. Aaron O’Driscoll, 7. Stephan de Robillard, 8. Kakeru Ono (11. Ayumu Kimura 68’), 10. Darcy Burgess, 15. Max Martinello, 17. Samuel Griffiths (9. Benjamin Coop 46’), 18. Luke Nieuwenhof, 21. Harry Turner, 33. Jasper Chipman
Substitutes Not Used: 6. Saxon Hillyer, 12. Mitchell Seaman, 20. George Russell, 26. Yannis Frerck, 32. Jared Muir
Yellow Cards: Matthew O’Donoghue 30’, Aaron O’Driscoll 48’, Jesse Piriz 56’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3: Stephen de Robillard (MU)
2: Samuel Bosnjak (SO)
1: Luke Nieuwenhof (MU)
-By Dimitri Kallos
