Rockdale run riot as Olympic relegation fears deepen at Belmore

Sydney Olympic’s difficult season took another hit as Rockdale Ilinden produced a clinical display to score four unanswered goals at Belmore Sports Ground in their round 20 clash on Saturday. 

The traditionally feisty encounter took time to ignite, despite several strong challenges in the opening stages. However, the game swung dramatically in the space of just a few minutes, with Harry Van Der Saag and Brendan Cholakian both finding the net before Van Der Saag added a third before half-time.

Rockdale’s dominance was built on a strong attacking surge. Van Der Saag opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Ian Gordon was penalised for handling inside the area, before Cholakian doubled the lead with a superbly taken finish after a surging run down the left flank. Van Der Saag then added his second — and Rockdale’s third — with a powerful header just before the break.

Moudi Najjar added the fourth late on, heading home from a pinpoint Lochlan Constable cross to cap off a commanding performance and deepen Olympic’s struggles.

The match began in scrappy fashion, with neither side able to fully assert control, though Olympic did carve out a couple of early half-chances without reward. Rockdale gradually worked into the game and began to create clearer opportunities, backed by a disciplined defensive structure.

Hunter Elliott combined with Najjar in one of Rockdale’s early attacking moments, with Najjar attempting a clever lob before the follow-up effort was blocked. The rebound fell to Cholakian, whose shot was also denied before being saved by stand-in goalkeeper Anthony Carraras. Najjar later sent a central free-kick over the bar from distance.

A major turning point came in the 29th minute when Bailey Callaghan suffered a head clash and was substituted following a concussion assessment on the sideline. Shortly after play resumed, a brief scuffle was quickly diffused before Rockdale struck decisively.

Constable broke down the right and delivered a dangerous cross that was handled by a retreating Olympic defence, resulting in a penalty. Van Der Saag converted to give Rockdale the lead in the 34th minute, before Cholakian added a second just two minutes later.

Rockdale then put the game beyond doubt before the interval when a floated free-kick into the box was met by Van Der Saag, who powered home his second header of the match.

On the restart, Isaac Danzo and Constable went close to adding a fourth, but Carraras produced a crucial goal-line intervention to keep Olympic in the contest. Despite a more spirited second-half effort from the hosts, clear chances were limited and comfortably dealt with by the Rockdale backline.

Lachlan Griffiths had a header scrambled away from a corner, but Rockdale quickly regained control and continued to apply pressure. Van Der Saag was denied a hat-trick when substituted shortly after the hour mark, with further changes following from both sides.

Rockdale’s passing and control stretched Olympic throughout the second half, and their dominance was rewarded when Najjar headed home a fourth from another Constable delivery.

Further substitutions followed as Rockdale rotated their squad in the closing stages, while Olympic also made changes in search of a response.

Najjar came close again in stoppage time, firing into the side netting from a tight angle, but the result was already beyond doubt as Rockdale secured a comprehensive win.

The result further compounds Sydney Olympic’s relegation concerns, while Rockdale Ilinden continue their push towards a finals position.

Match Stats

Sydney Olympic 0

Rockdale Ilinden 4 (Harry Van Der Saag 35’,43’ Brendan Cholakian 36’, Moudi Najjar 71’)

Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore

Saturday, 20th June 2026

Referee: Hayden Langholz

Assistants: Aaron Bloch & Hayden Burns

Fourth Official: Brayden McDonald

Sydney Olympic: 40. Anthony Carreras, 3. Samuel Bosnjak, 4. Joshua Hong, 5. Ian (Ziggy) Gordon, 14. Jacob Tresoglavic, 16. Bailey Callaghan (31. Peter Bebenis 29’), 19. Anton Isaako (10. Lucas Williams 64’), 21. Sebastian Kukucka, 24. Ben Giason (30. Joshua Da Silva 76’), 34. Marcus Fernandez, 35. Peter Grozos (13. Liam Saba 76’)

Subs not used: 1. Josip Orlovic, 33. Maxamillion Luburic, 58. Daniel Wong Yellow Cards: Jacob Tresoglavic 29’

Red Cards: Nil

Rockdale Ilinden: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Hunter Elliott, 3. Lachlan Griffiths, 5. Giorgio Speranza (24. Evangelos Kalamvokis 74’), 6.Isaac Danzo, 8. Jerry Skotadis, 9. Moudi Najjar, 10. Brendan Cholakian (19. Dean Jovcevski 74’), 11. Lochlan Constable (22. Harry McCarthy 74’), 26. Harry van der Saag (16. Michael Marcevski 64’), 66. Mathieu Cordier (27. Lukas Ribarevski 64’)

Subs Not Used: 7. Ollie Wiggin, 21. Ronan Mulgrew Yellow Cards: Nil Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Harry Van Der Saag (RI)

2 – Lochlan Constable (RI)

1 – Moudi Najjar (RI)

By Micky Brock