Syron Stands Tall As Sydney FC And Manly United Share The Points
Sydney FC and Manly United FC shared the points after an entertaining 0-0 draw at Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night, with both sides creating plenty of chances in an action-packed contest.
The opening stages set the tone for an exciting encounter, with Sydney FC immediately testing Manly United goalkeeper Mackenzie Syron.
Taye Headley saw his early effort repelled before Junior Conde’s powerful strike was tipped over the crossbar inside the opening minute.
The Sky Blues continued to control the early momentum, with Marin France finding space before firing an effort straight at Syron.
Manly United gradually found their rhythm and created their first opportunity of the evening when Ashton Hulme worked his way into space before firing directly at Sydney FC goalkeeper Alexander Zaverdinos.
The visitors then produced a flowing counter-attacking move, with Hulme again involved, but his header drifted wide as Manly looked to make their mark on the contest.
Sydney FC came closest to opening the scoring in the first half. In the 31st minute, a clever combination between Caelan Marshall-Witte and Dionn Nigro released Conde, whose strike crashed against the bottom of the left post.
The Sky Blues continued to push, with Headley beating his defender with a clever nutmeg before forcing Syron into a brilliant diving save to keep the scores level.
Sydney began the second half in similar fashion, working the ball around the Manly penalty area and creating opportunities for both Headley and France, but neither could find the breakthrough.
The hosts continued to threaten from set pieces, with Zinadein Ardiansyah delivering a dangerous free-kick that Tyler Williams headed narrowly wide.
Another free-kick opportunity followed shortly after, with Headley curling his effort over the wall in the 70th minute, only for Syron to once again be equal to the challenge.
Manly United continued to grow into the contest and almost found the opener through substitute Benjamin Koop. A defensive slip from Sydney FC presented Koop with a golden opportunity, but his effort went wide.
The visitors finished strongly, with Luke Nieuwenhof testing Zaverdinos from outside the box, forcing the Sydney goalkeeper into a touch that sent the effort narrowly wide.
Despite late pressure from both teams, neither side could find the decisive goal, with the match finishing as an entertaining 0-0 draw.
Following the match, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren reflected on a positive performance from his side, who were missing 13 players.
“I think the first thing to point out was our work in possession. It was fluid and they created plenty of chances tonight.
“There are a lot of positives to take out of this, especially coinciding with the A-League pre-season, but it gives opportunities for some younger players to shine,” Van Weeren said.
Manly United coach Vladimir Knezevic praised the quality of the contest and the challenge posed by Sydney FC.
“I like to play against Sydney FC because they play football and they push up young players, and we expected a tough game.
“Second half, we started to find some chances and I think in the end it was a good point,” Knezevic said.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 0
Manly United FC 0
Friday 17 July 2026
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Tim Danaskos
Assistant Referees: Alessandro Llana & Hannah Pola
Fourth Official: Harriet Gee
Sydney FC: 3. Reef Farias, 4. Caelan Marshall-Witte (29. Josef Sikora ’57), 10. Taye Headley, 11. Junior Conde (5. William Pezzutti ’57), 14. Jared Middleton, 15. Zinadein Ardiansyah (37. Adrian Trovato ’86), 24. Dionn Nigro (42. Ryan Buttigieg ’70), 27. Lachlan Middleton, 30. Alexander Zaverdinos, 33. Marin France, 34. Tyler Williams (47. Corey Cronin ’70)
Unused subs: 12. Jared Williams
Yellow cards: Ardiansyah ‘74
Red cards: nil
Manly United FC: 5. Aaron O’Driscoll, 6. Saxon Hillyer, 8. Kakeru Ono, 10. Darcy Burgess (12, Mitchell Seaman ’71), 16. Will Faulder (4. Jesse Piriz ’59), 18. Luke Nieuwenhof, 19. Cai Evans (11. Ayumu Kimura ’79), 28. Aston Hulme (7. Stephan De Robillard ’45), 29. Douglas John (9. Benjamin Koop ’59), 33. Jasper Chipman, 99. Mackenzie Syron
Unused subs: 3. Matthew O’Donoghue, 21. Harry Turner
Yellow cards: Hulme ’45 Chipman ’63 Nieuwenhof ‘77
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Mackenzie Syron (MUFC)
2: Taye Headley (SFC)
1: Marin France (SFC)
By Justin Davies
