SD Raiders turn it around with strong finish against St George City
SD Raiders FC were 3-1 winners against St George City down at Ernie Smith Reserve on Saturday evening in what was an enthralling game of football in rainy conditions in Sydney’s South West.
The first shot of the game came from SD Raiders FC, with Michael Lee striding forward and testing the palms of St George City FA custodian Jack Kenny.
St George City FA responded with an effort of their own, with in-form striker Yohn Pedersen forcing SD Raiders goalkeeper Michael Figueira into action.
The visitors then began to find their rhythm, with Hiroto Dohmoto driving forward before cutting the ball back to Brodie Clarkson, who fired narrowly wide.
St George City FA thought they had opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Louis Khoury delivered a dangerous ball and Theph Theph headed home, but the flag was raised for offside.
They did take the lead a few minutes later. Khoury was again involved, delivering a wicked cross that Oscar Gultekin finished well for 1-0 in the 33rd minute.
SD Raiders FC looked for a response, with Luka Knezevic unleashing an effort that Kenny was forced to parry.
St George City FA finished the half strongly, countering quickly before Pedersen met a cross with a firm header that went straight at goal.
The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute with Martin Fernandez stepping up to convert and level the scores at 1-1.
SD Raiders almost produced the perfect counter soon after, as Knezevic surged forward before the ball was dummied to Fernandez, whose effort whistled just wide.
The turnaround was completed in the 70th minute when Knezevic curled a brilliant effort over Kenny and into the net to make it 2-1.
St George City FA emptied the bench in search of an equaliser, with substitute Hugo McAteer forcing Figueira into a strong save.
SD Raiders sealed the result in the 87th minute when substitute Thomas Santarossa delivered a free-kick and Lachlan McGrath provided the decisive touch to make it 3-1.
McAteer had a late chance to pull one back but poked his effort just wide of the post.
SD Raiders held firm through stoppage time to secure a vital three points.
Post-match, SD Raiders coach Goran Ljuboja reflected on a much improved second-half performance which has put them in good stead for their round 16 rescheduled Tuesday night fixture against Sydney FC at home.
“Look, first half wasn’t good, we were sluggish and not brave.
“I gave them a spray at the break and wanted them to play some football.
“It is a big game on Tuesday and if we can get three points it makes it a massive week for us,” Ljuboja said.
St George City FA coach Mirko Jurilj felt his side should have taken more from their first-half dominance.
“The first half we should have killed off the game.
“We had four or five good moments but it was a contrasting game of halves.
“We stopped running in the second half and it just set the tone for the game,” Jurilj said.
Match Stats
SD Raiders FC 3 (Fernandez ’58 Knezevic ’70 Mcgrath ‘87)
St George City 1 (Gultekin ’31)
Saturday 27 June 2026
Ernie Smith Reserve
Referee: Rebecca Mackie
Assistant Referees: Liam Smith & Arinath Gobinath
Fourth Official: Tom Seldon
SD Raiders FC: 1. Michael Figueira, 4. Cooper Hanahan, 5. Jett Mccue-Shore, 8. James Letta, 9. Jakov Malbasa (19. Riley Cox-Barlow ’56), 10. Luka Knezevic (37. Robert Eermugo ’76), 12. Lachlan Mcgrath, 15. Matthew Lee (77. Justin Chan Farias ’56), 17. Martin Fernandez, 18. Charlie Ragg (11. Thomas Santarossa ’76), 23. Thomas Makko (7. Mihael Marcic ’56)
Unused subs:13. Ham Donghwa, 40. William Loucas
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
St George City: 1. Jack Kenny, 3. Benjamin Berry, 4. Solomon-John Monahan-Vaiika, 5. Lewis Miccio (47. Bassam Sabbagh ’80), 7. Oscar Gultekin (44. Hugo Mcateer ’65), 16. Yohn Pedersen, 17. Mason Tarafu, 20. Theph Theph (2. Matthew Wahby ’45), 23. Hiroto Dohmoto (10. Paolo Mitry ’65), 25. Brodie Clarkson, 33. Louis Khoury (8. Stefano Rossello ’80)
Unused subs: 6. Tarik Ercan,13. Franklin Jan
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings:
3: Luka Knezevic (SD)
2: James Letta (SD)
1: Brodie Clarkson (STC)
By Justin Davies
