Heroic ten-men Raiders embarrass Wolves
A brilliant hat-trick from Noah Chianese guided SD Raiders FC to a courageous 3-2 victory over the Wollongong Wolves at Macedonia Park on Saturday night, despite playing more than 70 minutes with 10 men.
The defeat leaves the Wolves’ hopes of a top-six finish hanging by a thread after surrendering a 2-1 half-time lead against the resilient visitors.
It was a herculean effort from the Raiders who backed up from a busy Hahn Australia Cup clash that saw them defeat Football Queensland’s Rochedale Rovers in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Both sides made a bright start to the match with Noah Chianese having the first decent chance for SD Raiders as he blasted a shot from distance well over the bar. The Wolves began to settle into the match and were creating a few half chances of their own.
SD Raiders stunned the home side and took the lead in the 14th minute when a brilliant cross from the left by Jett McCue-Shore was met by Chianese who rose high and placed his header past Wolves goalkeeper Max Cunial.
It didn’t take the Wolves long to hit back and they scored an equaliser only a minute later when their two wingers combined beautifully. Sebastian Hernandez did well as he chased down a long ball and put a cross in for Alex Masciovecchio who beat the on-rushing SD Raiders goalkeeper Michael Figueira and finished neatly from close range.
The game took a dramatic turn in the 23rd minute when Luka Knezevic received a straight red card from referee Declan Woods for a studs up, dangerous tackle on Wolves midfielder Flynn Madden. The referee initially issued a yellow card, however after consultation with fourth official Reece Edwards, Woods changed his decision and handed Knezevic a red card, leaving SD Raiders with 10 men for the rest of the match.
The Wolves started to dominate the match and went close to taking the lead in the 30th minute when a cross from Madden was met brilliantly on the head by Yuto Fujita, however Figueira produced an excellent diving save to keep the scores level.
The Wolves continued to look dangerous and they were rewarded for their positive, attacking football when they took the lead in the 40th minute. Madden received the ball in midfield and sent a brilliant through ball to Hernandez who used his speed to beat the SD Raiders defence and finish past Figueira on the second attempt, with the goalkeeper getting a hand to the initial shot as the rebound fell to Hernandez who slotted the ball into an empty net.
Hernandez and Madden were causing all sorts of problems for the SD Raiders defence with the duo combining well just before half-time when a cross from Hernandez was met by Madden who sent his header over the bar from close range.
The first-half came to an end with the Wolves on top as they registered 10 shots with five on target, while SD Raiders had four shots with two on target.
SD Raiders made a fast start to the second-half and scored an equalising goal in the 46th minute when they won the ball in midfield and Martin Fernandez produced a neat through ball to Chianese who chipped the ball nicely over Wolves goalkeeper Max Cunial.
Despite being down to 10 men, SD Raiders continued to create opportunities and they took the lead in the 62nd minute when Chianese scored again and claimed a hat-trick. Sebastian Malfara sent a free-kick into the box that was missed by the Wolves defence as Chianese snuck in at the back post and did brilliantly to control a low volley that found the back of the net.
The away side were creating the better chances with Malfara going close with a free kick in the 72nd minute and then shooting just wide moments later.
The Wolves were finding it difficult to break down a well organised SD Raiders defence and pushed centre-back Kazuya Yamamura into midfield as they chased the game and went to a three-man defence.
The home side continued to push for an equalising goal, however the SD Raiders were keeping the Wolves to only half-chances as they held on for a hard-fought 3-2 win.
SD Raiders hat-trick hero Noah Chianese said his team deserved the victory and credited his teammates for helping him score three goals.
“It’s good to come down here to Wollongong and get the win in tough conditions with 10 men. My job is to score and the boys played well and it’s a big win.”
Wolves winger Alex Masciovecchio felt his side should have done a better job of finishing off the game while in front.
“Disappointing is the only word we can use to describe that performance. When we were 2-1 up we should have showed more composure and closed out the game.”
Match Stats
Wollongong Wolves FC: 2 (Alex Masciovecchio 15’, Sebastian Hernandez 40’)
SD Raiders FC: 3 (Noah Chianese 14’, 46’, 62’)
Saturday July 18, 2026
Macedonia Park
Referee: Declan Woods
Assistant Referees: Benjamin Eisikovich and Hayden Kaye
Fourth Official: Reece Edwards
Wollongong Wolves FC: 5. Banri Kanaizumi (C), 8. Sebastian Duarte, 10. Flynn Madden (21. Liam Ball 63’), 11. Sebastian Hernandez, 15. Dax Kelly, 16. Lucas Trajcevski (77. Dylan King 75’), 17. Marcus Beattie, 18. Kazuya Yamamura, 19. Max Cunial, 25. Alex Masciovecchio, 44. Yuto Fujita (13. Hugo Cornish 45’)
Substitutes not used: 1. Jacob Hastings, 3. Kristian Butkovic, 6. Zacariah Harang, 14. Noah Mathie
Yellow Cards: Yuto Fujita 35’, Sebastian Duarte 69’, Hugo Cornish 74’
Red Cards: Nil
SD Raiders FC: 1. Michael Figueira, 4. Cooper Hanagan, 5. Jett McCue-Shore (77. Justin Chan Frias 55’), 8. James Letta (C) (11. Thomas Santarossa 87’), 10. Iuka Knezevic, 12. Lachlan McGrath, 14. Noah Chianese (7. Mihael Marcic 63’), 17. Martin Fernandez (37. Robert Eremugo 63’), 18. Charlie Ragg, 21. Sebastian Malfara, 23. Thomas Makko (19. Riley Cox-Barlow 53’)
Substitutes not used: 31. Oliver Przydacz, 47. Ethan Beaven
Yellow Cards: Cooper Hanagan 35’, Lachlan McGrath 36’, Riley Cox-Barlow 82’, Robert Eremugo 87’
Red Cards: Iuka Knezevic 23’
Player Ratings
3 – Noah Chianese (SD Raiders)
2 – Martin Fernandez (SD Raiders)
1 – Alex Masciovecchio (Wollongong Wolves FC)
-By Joel Martelli
