St George City Continue Stunning Run With Victory Over Sydney FC
St George City strengthened their finals credentials with a 2-0 victory over Sydney FC at Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night, extending their winning run to four matches and keeping their late-season charge firmly on track.
It was a cagey start to a game that could have a major say in the make-up of the Top Six, with Sydney FC enjoying plenty of possession but unable to unlock a resolute St George City defence.
St George City goalkeeper Jack Kenny was called into action early when a deflection off his own defender, Theph Theph, required him to tip the ball wide.
The visitors then broke the deadlock with the first major chance of the game in the 23rd minute.
After Sydney FC failed to fully clear a corner, the ball was recycled and fell to Mason Tatafu, who swept his finish into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
St George City continued to apply pressure following the opener, with Spencer Webster firing an effort over the crossbar from range.
The set piece proved valuable once again in the 31st minute.
A scramble inside the penalty area saw the ball fall kindly for captain Solomon-Johnn Monahan-Vaiika, who reacted quickest to poke home and double City’s advantage.
The hosts finished the first half strongly and almost created another opportunity on the break after Sydney FC had sent players forward for a corner, but the final pass eluded the City attack.
St George City went into the break delighted with their two-goal advantage.
Sydney FC came out looking for a way back into the contest after half-time and almost pulled one back through Zac Fowler.
The forward strode towards goal before unleashing a powerful effort that struck the post.
It was almost a moment of magic from Bassam Sabbagh at the other end.
The City attacker started the move before receiving the flick back and firing an effort narrowly wide of the target.
Sydney continued to push forward in search of a goal, with a slick attacking move eventually ending with Marin France firing narrowly wide.
St George City remained disciplined and continued to look dangerous on the counter.
Substitute Zidedein Ardiansyah was given an opportunity to make an impact after being pushed forward, but his effort flashed past the left post.
Two substitutes then combined for what could have been a third goal for the hosts.
Matthew Jackson released fellow substitute and City’s leading scorer, Yohn Pederson, but the forward could only spray his effort wide.
Sydney FC’s leading scorer Mitchell Glasson then rose highest to meet a cross, but he was unable to direct his header past the impressive Kenny.
St George City saw out the remaining stages to secure their fourth consecutive victory, their fourth straight clean sheet and another significant result in what has been a remarkable month for the club.
Following the match, St George City coach Mirko Jurilj reflected on his side’s outstanding recent run.
“It has been absolutely outstanding. They have shown me and everyone else something from this last month,” Jurilj said.
“We’ve taken each game as it comes and the pressure is off for us. It is about finishing the season strong for us.”
Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren was disappointed with his side’s performance and the manner in which they conceded.
“It was extremely disappointing. The two goals were completely avoidable. We switched off and gave them a free header for the second,” Van Weeren said.
“We held a lot of the ball but struggled to create anything in the final third.”
The result keeps St George City firmly in the finals conversation as their remarkable late-season revival continues.
Match Stats
Sydney FC 0
St George City FA 2 (Tatafu ’23 Monahan-Vaiika ’31)
Friday 14 August 2026
Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Jackson Mackie
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Brady Fisher
Fourth Official: Nicholas Danaskos
Sydney FC: 3. Reef Farias (47. Corey Cronin ’78), 3. Caelan Marshall-Witte (6. Nicholas Calder ’55), 8. Samuel Lancaster (15. Zinedein Ardiansyah ’45), 9. Zac Fowler, 10. Taye Headley, 12. Jared Williams, 19. Mitchell Glasson, 24. Dionn Nigro (5. William Pezzutti ’55), 26. Nickolas Alfaro (37. Adrian Trovato ’45), 33. Marin France, 34. Tyler Williams
Unused subs: 1. Max Bertoia
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
St George City FA: 1. Jack Kenny, 4. Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika, 8. Stefan Rossello (5. Lewis Miccio ’69), 9. Lucas Bedleg (27. Matthew Jackson ’74), 11. Ben Giason (6. Tarik Ercan ’74), 17. Mason Tatafu, 20. Theph Theph, 25. Brodie Clarkson, 33. Louis Khoury, 35. Spencer Webster (16. Yoh Pederson ’83), 47. Bassam Sabbagh
Unused subs: 10. Paolo Mitry, 13. Franklin Jan, 30. Gideon Arok
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies
