Ilinden Too Strong in 3-0 Home Victory Over Sydney FC
Rockdale Ilinden have surged into fourth on the ladder with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sydney FC at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, delivering a first-half masterclass that proved decisive in a statement performance.
Both sides started with energy and intent in the opening fifteen minutes, pressing aggressively and competing strongly without the ball, but chances were initially at a premium as neither team managed to find rhythm in the final third.
The first real opening arrived in the 18th minute when Mitch Glasson broke in behind after a loose aerial duel on halfway. From a tight angle, he drove at Levi Kaye but couldn’t find the finish, dragging his effort wide.
Rockdale, however, made their first big moment count. In the 21st minute, a dangerous set piece from Brendan Cholakian delivered the breakthrough, with Lachlan Griffiths rising at the near post to steer a brilliant header through traffic and into the net.
Momentum swung heavily from there. Just six minutes later, Rockdale doubled their lead through Giorgio Speranza, who finished clinically off his weaker foot after sharp build-up play involving Moudi Najjar and Cholakian. The left-back found space at the edge of the box and bent a composed strike into the far corner to stun the visitors.
Sydney FC struggled to respond, and Rockdale put the game beyond doubt before the break in the 43rd minute. Najjar’s inswinging corner caused chaos, sailing through the area untouched before nestling in the net to complete a dominant first-half display.
The home side started the second half with real intent, continuing to pin Sydney deep and creating further chances that could have extended the margin even further.
From there, Rockdale controlled proceedings comfortably, managing possession with confidence while restricting Sydney FC to very little going forward.
In the end, it was a comprehensive performance from Ilinden, built on set-piece quality, attacking efficiency and defensive control, as they continue their push up the ladder.
Match Stats
Rockdale Ilinden FC 3 (Griffiths 21’, Speranza 27’, Najjar 43’)
Sydney FC FC 0
Sunday 10 May, 2025
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Ivica Covic
Assistant Referees: Patrick Teleki and Arinath Gobinath
Fourth Official: Tom Seldon
Rockdale Ilinden FC: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Hunter Elliott, 3. Lachlan Griffiths, 4. Reo Kunimoto, 5. Giorgio Speranza(37. Jordi Fulete 89’), 6. Isaac Danzo (8. Jerry Skotadis 80’), 7. Ollie Wiggin (17. Mohammed Adam 80’), 9. Moudi Najjar, 10 Brendan Cholakian (C) (16. Michael Marcevski 86’), 11. Lochlan Constable, 22. Harry McCarthy (15. Stefan Simonoski 80’)
Substitutes Not Used: 19. Dean Jovcevski, 41. Hudson Beddow
Yellow Cards: McCarthy 32’
Red Cards: None
Sydney FC: 30. Alexander Zaverdinos, 3. Reef Farias, 8. Samuel Lancaster (26. Nickolas Alfaro 45’), 10. Taye Hedley (15. Zinadein Ardiansyah 59’), 14. Jared Middleton, 18. Ethan Dyer (34. Tyler Williams 65’), 19. Mitchell Glasson (C) (9. Zac Fowler 59’), 21. Zachary De Jesus (47. Corey Cronin 45’), 22. Mathias Macallister, 27. Lachlan Middleton, 33. Marin France
Substitutes Not Used: 40. Max Bertoia
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Player ratings:
3 – Lachlan Griffiths (RI)
2 – Brendan Cholakian (RI)
1 – Moudi Najjar (RI)
