Stallions stunned by clinical Sharks
The Sutherland Sharks caused a major boil-over upsetting the Marconi Stallions on Saturday night, securing a 2-0 win at Marconi Stadium.
An early goal to Jesse Photi and a second-half goal to Louis Khoury were unanswered by the hosts as they struggled to be clinical in the final third.
Sutherland’s strong defensive display, led by National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s stalwart Mitchell Stamatellis, was key to their success as the new-look side collected their second win of the 2023 season.
Jordan Swibel could have opened the scoring very early on for Marconi as he came close to chipping Sutherland ‘keeper Marko Bulic in the 2nd minute of the match, however his attempt was off target.
It wasn’t long until the first goal of the match, as Sutherland got a point on the scoreboard in just the 8th minute.
Alexander Brown played a ball to Photi who hit a clean ball past Jack Gibson and into the bottom corner.
Nathan Millgate came close to a header in the 14th minute as Liam Youlley crossed in a ball to the defender, but his effort flew just wide.
Swibel had another chance in the 27th minute as some quality combination play resulted in an opportunity for the attacker in front of the goal, but he sent his shot high.
Another chance for Marconi came in the 36th minute as Hirokai Aoyama sent a left-footed strike towards the target, but it flew wide.
Sutherland came knocking for more in the 43rd minute as Brown made a forward run before passing to Fumoto Kamada, but the winger wasn’t able to hit the target.
Marconi had a promising chance in the 58th minute as Giorgio Speranza sent a shot towards the target, but Bulic pulled off a sensational save to keep the hosts at bay.
Aoyama had another opportunity to get the Stallions on the scoreboard but Bulic used his body to deny the shot with his knees.
Sutherland were gifted an opportunity in the 66th minute as Gibson picked up a back pass from Roberto Speranza, giving the visitors a shot inside the 18-yard box, but Jordan Roberts fired his chance well over the target.
The visitors managed to take their lead to two in the 79th minute, after a ball in from Takahide Umebachi deflected off the boot of Marconi substitute Daniel Bouman and landed at the feet of Khoury, who slid the ball into the netting.
Despite continued pressure from the hosts, they weren’t able to get on the scoreboard, leaving Sutherland with the 2-0 victory.
Sharks coach Damir Prodanovic was a delighted figure after securing just their second victory of the 2023 campaign.
“We created some good chances, but it’s all about the process, staying true to it every week and building our principles, making it come to life a lot more consistently,” he explained.
“Tonight was one of those nights where we came up against a very strong opponent, we knew we had to move the ball quickly, we had to manage transition and the boys did that well and played on a brilliant surface and I think the surface suited the football, hence why the boys had a good time tonight.”
Marconi coach Peter Tsekenis was disappointed his team weren’t able to perform at their best against Sutherland.
“I think we weren’t at our best, we lacked a bit of composure, we made some basic errors, just standard stuff that you expect to do better in,” he said.
“Their ‘keeper made more than two really good saves and goals change games.
“We had some moments where we just made errors, and when you do that you give the opponent an opportunity to get in the game and to be honest they probably only had two shots on goal and they scored them both and you get punished in this competition.
“Whether or not they [the Marconi players] took the opposition for where they’re sitting on the table lightly, that was a fatal error.
“They’re guys who get paid to play so if I have to get them up to actually play, they can’t pick and choose where they want to play.
“They’ve got to be up for every game because in this competition, like I said, if you’re not at your best, and we’ve shown where we’ve been at our best we win games and we do it well.”
Match Stats
Marconi Stallions FC 0
Sutherland Sharks FC 2 (Jesse Photi 8’, Louis Khoury 79’
Saturday 18th March, 2023
Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park
Referee: Karl Davies
Assistant Referees: Matthew Mcorist and Arinath Gobinath
Fourth Official: Kyle Hockings
Marconi Stallions FC: 20. Jack Gibson, 2. Nathan Millgate, 3. Giorgio Speranza, 4. Roberto Speranza, 6. Domenic Costanzo, 8. Hirokai Aoyama, 9. Jordan Swibel, 10. Marko Jesic, 16. Liam Youlley (11. Daniel Bouman 64’), 22. Taylor McDonald (7. Christopher Hatfield 77’), 23. Brandon Vella (19. Kyle Cimenti 64’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Nathan Foster, 5. Liam McGing, 13. Aleksandar Duricic
Yellow Cards: Youlley 51’, Millgate 87’
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1. Marko Bulic, 2. Takahide Umebachi, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 5. Jesse Photi (7. Connor Rose 76’), 6. Brodie Clarkson, 8. Alexander Brown, 11. Fumoto Kamada, 14. Chris Lindsay, 15. Nathan Grimaldi, 21. Luke Sauer (3. Jordan Roberts 58’), 33. Louis Khoury (91. Jonty Busch)
Substitutes Not Used:, 19. Evan Ball, 22. Jacob Cremen-Cowan, 32. Levi Sciuriaga
Yellow Cards: Brown 59’, Khoury 77’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Mitchell Stamatellis (SS)
2 – Marko Bulic (SS)
1 – Nathan Grimaldi (SS)
-By Madeline Riley
