Three Points, Fresh Hope: Olympic Keep Relegation Battle Alive

Historic NPL Men’s NSW side Sydney Olympic kept their survival hopes alive with a battling 3-1 victory over UNSW FC at The Village Green, securing three crucial points in their fight against automatic relegation.

UNSW entered the contest knowing a point would all but secure their place in the top flight for 2027, while Olympic arrived desperate for a result to keep their own hopes alive in what has been a difficult campaign.

Bailey Callaghan opened the scoring midway through the first half before Jyden Harb equalised from the penalty spot just before the break. Adam Bugarija’s effort then handed Olympic the lead for a second time after the restart before Kaan Nizam sealed the victory with a stunning strike off the underside of the crossbar.

Olympic started strongly, forcing an early corner and producing several blocked efforts inside the opening 90 seconds. As has been the case throughout their campaign, however, turning their attacking intent into goals proved more difficult.

Nizam fired over from distance before UNSW began to settle into the contest.

The hosts took a more measured approach, building from the back with calculated passing while also looking to create opportunities down the left flank. Their long throws into the penalty area provided another avenue of attack.

Panayioti Armenakas floated a free-kick towards the back post, where Callaghan headed towards goal, but UNSW goalkeeper Tristan Prendergast comfortably collected.

Olympic then came close through Nizam, who broke through one-on-one with Prendergast. The goalkeeper managed to get a touch to the ball, sending it looping agonisingly wide of the upright.

UNSW responded at the other end, with Liam Woods getting through before Jacob Tresoglavic produced an excellent challenge to deny him.

As the half progressed, UNSW began to gain the upper hand, with Woods and Harb combining well before Harb fired wide from a difficult position inside a crowded penalty area.

Olympic would make them pay for those missed opportunities in the 28th minute.

A neat interchange between Seth Clark and Sebastian Kukucka opened up the UNSW defence, with Callaghan making a late run into the penalty area and finding himself completely unmarked.

The Olympic attacker made no mistake, calmly tapping into an empty net to give the visitors the lead.

UNSW almost responded immediately when Kevin Lopes connected with a corner, but his volley flew over the crossbar.

Callaghan then came close to doubling Olympic’s advantage, sliding his effort narrowly wide from close range.

The visitors continued to live dangerously as Woods and Harb combined again, forcing Filip Kurto into a strong diving save to preserve Olympic’s lead.

However, the advantage would not last until half-time.

From another UNSW corner, the referee spotted an infringement inside the penalty area and immediately awarded a penalty.

Harb stepped up and calmly sent Kurto the wrong way to level the scores just before the break.

Olympic came out strongly after half-time, with Kukucka producing a clever nutmeg before racing down the right and combining with Clark.

The ball eventually reached Nizam, but his outstretched foot could not make the required connection.

Kukucka went close moments later, firing into the side netting with his right foot.

Olympic would eventually regain the lead through an unlikely source.

Bugarija sent a hopeful effort towards goal, but Prendergast was unable to keep it out, with the ball slipping under his hands and slowly crossing the line to give Olympic a 2-1 advantage.

It was a rare error from the normally reliable UNSW goalkeeper and one he will be keen to forget.

UNSW immediately searched for a response, with Tresoglavic once again proving important at the back as he denied Harb after the midfielder cut inside and attempted to curl an effort into the top corner.

The contest became increasingly tense as both sides understood what was at stake.

Tackles became more forceful and the frustration began to show, with several heated exchanges highlighting the pressure surrounding the match.

Olympic eventually found the decisive moment in the closing stages.

Nizam produced a superb finish, lashing the ball against the underside of the crossbar and over the line to make it 3-1 and finally settle the nerves.

The victory gives Olympic a vital lifeline in their fight for survival. The Blues now know they likely need to win their remaining matches to have any chance of avoiding automatic relegation, although even that may not ultimately be enough.

For UNSW, the result is a frustrating one, but they can take comfort in knowing that a point from their remaining fixtures should be enough to secure their place in the competition for 2027.

Match Stats

UNSW 1 (Jyden Harb 45p’)

Sydney Olympic 3 (Bailey Callaghan 28’, Adam Bugarija 51’, Kaan Nizam 86’)

The Village Green, Kensington Saturday, 8th August 2026

Referee: Alec Baele

Assistants: Benjamin Eisikovic & Glen Stubbings Fourth Official: Ayad Naji

UNSW FC: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 4. Liam Wood, 6. Grant Lynch, 7. Thomas Quilligan (3. Emilio Vinci  57’), 8. Tacettin Kumsuz (15. Corby Fowler 64’), 9. Kevin Lopes (19. Oliver Puflett 57’), 13. Sean Woods (11.Jack Fulton 56’), 14. Lachlan Campbell, 17. Jyden Harb, 18. Conor Quilligan (21. Alexander Malfara 74’), 20. Anthony Barbic

Subs not used: 12. Cassius Flavell, 22. Gil Duffy

Yellow Cards: Jack Fulton 57’, 8. Tacettin Kumsuz 63’, Alexander Malfara 80’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney Olympic: 20. Filip Kurto, 3. Samuel Bosnjak (58. Daniel Wong 79’), 4. Joshua Hong, 7. Seth Clark, 8. Kaan Nizam, 10. Panayioti Artienakis, 12. Zac Zoricich, 14. Jacob Tresoglavic, 16. Bailey Callaghan, 21. Adam Bugarija (34. Marcus Fernandez 84’), 23. Sebastian Kukucka (35. Peter Grozos 77’)

Subs not used: 1. Josip Orlovic, 6. Jok Akuien, 11. Giorgios Louca, 33 . Maxamillion Luburic, 34. Marcus Fernandez, 58. Daniel Wong

Yellow Cards: Zac Zoricich 26’

Red Cards: Nil

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock