Glasson Strikes Late To Keep Sydney FC’s Finals Hopes Alive
Sydney FC defeated Rockdale Ilinden 2-1 on Friday night in Round 29, the penultimate round of the regular season, in what was a highly entertaining encounter under lights at Ilinden Sports Centre.
The three points for Jimmy Van Weeren’s young academy side keep their chances of a Top Six finish and a place in the finals alive, while Rockdale’s hopes of finals football are now all but extinguished following the defeat.
Sydney FC had not won a game since their 1-0 victory over SD Raiders on June 30, but finally ended that run in dramatic fashion thanks to a stoppage-time winner from captain Mitchell Glasson.
Zac Fowler had earlier put Sydney FC ahead early in the second half before Rockdale substitute Lochlan Constable restored parity in the 85th minute.
However, just when the contest appeared destined to finish level, Glasson struck in the 93rd minute to secure all three points for the young Sky Blues.
The first opportunity of the game arrived in the sixth minute when a powerful effort from outside the box by Sydney FC’s Nickolas Alfaro forced Rockdale goalkeeper Levi Kaye into a brilliant diving save to deny the visitors an early lead.
Rockdale responded in the 14th minute when they created space down the left, with Brendan Cholakian eventually seeing his diagonal effort comfortably held by Sydney FC goalkeeper Alexander Zaverdinos.
At the 20-minute mark, Taye Hedley produced an audacious strike from outside the box that beat Kaye but rebounded off the crossbar and back into play, much to Rockdale’s collective relief.
After that excellent opportunity, the game slipped into something of a lull until the 37th minute when a looping free-kick from Moudi Najjar forced Zaverdinos to punch the ball away from danger.
Just prior to the break, a long-range effort from Rockdale’s Jerry Skotadis flew over the crossbar as both sides headed into the interval locked at 0-0.
The first opportunity of the second half arrived in the 47th minute when a Sydney FC corner reached Reef Farias at the far post.
His header was on target but Kaye was equal to the effort.
Sydney FC did not have to wait much longer to break the deadlock.
Rockdale hesitated in defence and Fowler reacted quickest to win the ball inside the penalty area before unleashing a superb diagonal finish into the bottom corner and beyond Kaye’s diving reach.
Sydney FC had the lead early in the second half.
In the 70th minute, a looping free-kick from the right by Corey Cronin caused further problems for Rockdale.
Kaye appeared to lose sight of the ball under the lights, with the delivery eventually striking the post in what could have been Sydney FC’s second goal.
Rockdale continued to search for an equaliser and came close in the 80th minute when James Temelkovski flashed a shot across the face of goal, but there was nobody available to apply the finishing touch.
The equaliser eventually arrived in the 85th minute.
A Reo Kunimoto throw-in was not properly cleared by the Sydney FC defence, allowing Constable time and space to take aim from outside the penalty area.
The substitute made no mistake, firing his effort straight into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
With the game appearing destined for a draw, Sydney FC produced one final piece of quality to snatch victory in the 93rd minute.
A long ball down the left found Fowler, who produced an excellent cross into the middle for Glasson.
The Sydney FC captain kept his composure and calmly finished to send the ball into the back of the net and spark wild celebrations from the young Sky Blues.
The final whistle confirmed a dramatic victory for Sydney FC, keeping their finals hopes alive heading into the final round while leaving Rockdale’s aspirations hanging by a thread.
Following the match, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren was clearly a satisfied and proud coach, acknowledging his players and the Rockdale players on the pitch after the final whistle.
Match Stats
SYDNEY FC: 2 (Fowler 49’, Glasson 93’)
ROCKDALE ILINDEN: 1 (Constable 85’)
Friday 21st August, 2026
Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Referee: Ben Abraham
Assistant referees: Cameron Wright, Bradley Wright
Fourth Official: Oscar Stewart
SYDNEY FC: 30. Alexander Zaverdinos, 3. Reef Farias (6. Nicolas Calder 78’), 8. Samuel Lancaster (24. Dionn Nigro 65’), 9. Zac Fowler, 10. Taye Hedley (5. William Pezzutti 85’), 18. Ethan Dyer, 19. Mitchell Glasson, 26. Nickolas Alfaro, 33. Marin France (15. Zinadein Ardiansyah 46’) 34. Tyler Williams, 47. Corey Cronin.
Substitutes not used: 1. Max Bertoia, 7. Josef Sikora.
Yellow Cards: Lancaster 37’, Farias 75’, Zaverdinos 85’, Nigro 96’
Red Cards: Nil
ROCKDALE ILINDEN: 1. Levi Kaye, 3. Lachlan Griffiths, 4. Reo Kunimoto, 7. Ollie Wiggin, 8. Jerry Skotadis (2. Hunter Elliott 78’), 9. Moudi Najjar, 10. Brendan Cholakian (27. Lukas Ribarevski 84’), 16. Michael Marcevski (14. Dean Pelekanos 78’), 17. James Temelkovski, 26. Harry Van Der Saag, 66. Mathieu Cordier (11. Lochlan Constable 65’).
Substitutes not used: 19. Dean Jovcevski, 21. Ronan Mulgrew, 22. Harry McCarthy.
Yellow Cards: Temelkovski 52’, Wiggin 67′
Red Cards: Nil
By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo
