Armenakas inspires Olympic as St George FC rue missed chances

A new look Sydney Olympic FC side fresh with new recruits following the opening of the mid-year transfer window claimed a crucial 2-1 away win over St George FC in a tense relegation battle at a rain-soaked Barton Park, with late drama deciding a fiercely contested clash between two sides fighting to climb off the bottom half of the table.

Sydney Olympic took the lead through former Australian Youth International Panayioti Armenakas with a superbly struck effort from distance, before Mark Rodic thundered home an equaliser midway through the second half after a Jayden Casella effort was turned around the post.

However, Olympic were not to be denied, with Armenakas later turning provider as he laid the ball on for Bailey Callaghan to score the eventual winner.

Olympic named several new faces in their starting line-up, looking to spark a turnaround in fortunes as the season enters its final third. Whether the changes will prove inspired in time remains to be seen.

Adam Bugarija curled a free-kick toward goal early, forcing St George goalkeeper Nicholas Sorras into a strong save as he tipped it away from the top corner. At the other end, Nicola Skataric went close with a long-range effort that crashed against the crossbar.

Olympic struck first in the 15th minute when Armenakas produced a stunning swerving strike from distance with the outside of his foot to open the scoring.

The early setback did little to deter St George, who responded strongly and created several opportunities of their own. Olympic goalkeeper Anthony Carreras was called into action, first blocking from a corner before reacting quickly to gather the rebound in a crowded penalty area.

Kaan Nizam then went close to doubling the lead, but his effort flashed across the face of goal as Olympic continued to look dangerous in transition.

A number of half-chances followed at both ends in an entertaining and open first half. Bailey Callaghan dragged a shot wide in the 39th minute, before St George came agonisingly close when Chris McStay delivered a free-kick to the back post, where Pat O’Shea’s header thundered off the crossbar.

St George finished the half strongly, but went into the break trailing despite their pressure and repeated threats from set pieces.

Heavy rain greeted both sides for the second half, creating a slick surface and difficult playing conditions. St George started the brighter and created early chances, but could not find the finishing touch.

A major moment followed when St George goalkeeper Nicholas Sorras went down after a collision and was replaced by veteran Vedran Janjetovic, who was called into action immediately in challenging circumstances.

As the game opened up, Olympic nearly extended their lead through Callaghan, who was unable to convert after over-running the ball at a crucial moment.

At the other end, Kaidyn Wright tested Carreras with an angled effort that curled narrowly wide.

St George eventually found their equaliser in the 70th minute. After Casella’s effort was tipped around the post, the resulting corner fell to Rodic, who smashed home to level the scores and lift the home crowd.

But parity lasted only minutes. In the 83rd minute, Armenakas again played a key role, setting up Callaghan to bundle the ball over the line and restore Olympic’s lead.

St George pushed hard for another equaliser, with McStay forcing a save that Carreras could only parry before the defence scrambled clear.

Late pressure continued as substitute Harrison Farrow drove through the Olympic defence but was unable to apply a decisive finish, while McStay again saw an effort deflected behind.

Despite seven minutes of stoppage time, Olympic held firm under sustained pressure to secure a crucial victory in a tightly contested relegation battle.

Match Stats

St. George FC 1 (Mark Rodic 70’)

Sydney Olympic 1 (Panayioti Armenakas 15’, Bailey Callaghan 83’)

Barton Park, Banksia Saturday, 27th June 2026

Referee: Sam Kelly

Assistants: Matthew Harris & Sebastian Ruskin

Fourth Official: Kai Jopson

St. George FC: 1. Nicholas Sorras (40. Vedran Janjetovic 57’), 6.Patrick O’Shea, 8. Evan Souris, 9. Nikola Skotaric (25. Harrison Farrow 72’), 10. Jaden Casella, 12. Jayden Seeto, 14. Isaac Cunningham (7. Justin Poon 72’), 15. Mark Rodic, 16. Kaidyen Wright, 24. Edmun Haddad (2. Rocco Smith 51’), 88. Chris McStay

Subs Not Used: 5. Nicholas Kalogerou, 11. Lachlan Sepping, 20. Kota Toyooka

Yellow Cards: Mark Rodic 19’, Chris McStay 62’, Evan Souris 82’, Rocco Smith 90+3’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney Olympic: 40. Anthony Carreras, 3. Samuel Bosnjak, 4. Joshua Hong, 6. Jok Akuien, 7. Seth Clark, 8. Kaan Nizam (5. Ian (Ziggy) Gordon 87’), 10. Panayioti Artienakis, 12. Zac Zoricich, 16. Bailey Callaghan, 21. Adam Bugarija, 23. Sebastian Kukucka (35. Peter Grozos 78’)

Subs not used: 1. Josip Orlovic, 14. Jacob Tresoglavic, 24. Ben Giason, 33. Maxamillion Luburic, 34. Marcus Fernandez

Yellow Cards: Jok Akuien 45+2’, Adam Bugarija 47’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Panayioti Armenakas (SO)

2 – Mark Rodic (SGFC)

1 – Bailey Callaghan (SO)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock