Rockdale Farewell Paul Dee With Victory Over UNSW
In coach Paul Dee’s final game at the helm of Rockdale Ilinden, the side remained mathematically in the race for a finals position as they took on UNSW at Ilinden Sports Centre in the final league fixture of the 2026 campaign.
Rockdale needed a victory, alongside a host of results elsewhere going their way, to have any chance of continuing their season beyond the weekend.
They did their part with a 2-0 victory, with an unfortunate Timothy Wohlfiel own goal opening the scoring before Moudi Najjar doubled the advantage with virtually the last kick of the first half.
Wohlfiel attempted to head the ball back to his goalkeeper, but unfortunately cushioned his header with too much power, leaving Cassius Flavell with no chance as the ball nestled into the back of the net.
Rockdale had made a promising start, with Najjar forcing a fine save from Flavell early on, although the young 19-year-old goalkeeper was unaware the flag had been raised for offside.
Ollie Wiggin then saw an effort ruled out for the same offence in the fifth minute before UNSW responded at the other end, with Jack Fulton forcing Levi Kaye into a good save.
Rockdale pressed from the outset, as they had to, but in doing so allowed UNSW opportunities to counter.
Jyden Harb danced his way through the Ilinden defence to create an opening for himself, but fired high and wide after doing the hard work.
Rockdale came close again when James Temelkovski played a through ball for Harry van der Saag, whose cross was met by Najjar at the near post. The striker, however, was unable to convert.
It was thrilling fare for the neutral and desperately nervy for the home side in what was an all-or-nothing fixture.
Flavell then saved from Wiggin before bravely repeating the feat to deny Najjar on the follow-up.
Rockdale were knocking on the door, but it was firmly barred by UNSW’s youthful goalkeeper, who was playing just his second match of the campaign while regular stopper Tristan Prendergast remained on the bench.
Najjar saw another effort blocked on the line by a scrambling UNSW defence.
Having won just one game in their previous nine outings, Rockdale were left wondering just what they had to do to find the back of the net.
UNSW continued to threaten on the counter, with Fulton being found by a defence-splitting pass on the left before getting a shot away at a comfortable height for Kaye to save.
It was a reminder for Ilinden that their visitors were not there to make up the numbers and that, for all their efforts, one momentary lapse could undo everything.
Indeed, UNSW had grown into the game and were giving as good as they were getting, with some profligate finishing preventing them from taking the lead.
But the visitors eventually fell behind in unfortunate circumstances when Wohlfiel attempted to take charge at the back and cushion a header back to Flavell.
Instead, the defender managed to beat his own goalkeeper, handing Rockdale the opening goal.
It was a cruel moment for UNSW after they had absorbed so much pressure.
Rockdale nearly doubled their lead less than a minute later when Temelkovski rattled the woodwork, with UNSW briefly at sixes and sevens.
The footballing gods then turned their attention back towards Rockdale, as they were denied a second before the break.
Ilinden eventually did double their advantage with virtually the last kick of the first half.
Najjar shrugged off a couple of tackles before rifling a shot into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
On balance, the lead was deserved, but it was harsh on a battling UNSW side after a breathless first half.
Giorgio Speranza replaced Mathieu Cordier for Rockdale at the break, the only change for either side.
The home side, two goals ahead, refused to rest on their laurels and began the second stanza as they had finished the first — on the front foot and pressing for further goals.
That pressure produced a couple of corners which came to nothing but demonstrated Rockdale’s intent.
Goal difference could have played a significant role in deciding whether they could sneak into the Top Six had results fallen their way.
Jyden Harb brought down Wiggin just outside the area to earn himself a caution, with Harry van der Saag twice thumping efforts into the wall from the resulting free-kick.
Najjar then scuffed the second rebound wide of the uprights.
UNSW had their moments, although they were fleeting, and continued to keep the home side honest.
Rockdale nevertheless looked the more likely side to add to their tally.
The visitors battled well and were assured of top-flight football next season following their promotion in 2025, giving them a platform to build upon after their first NPL Men’s NSW campaign.
Substitute Sean Woods blasted high with six minutes remaining as he attempted to reduce the deficit, before seeing another effort blocked in stoppage time.
The action continued at either end without producing any further goals, bringing an end to the 2026 campaign for both sides.
For Rockdale, the victory provided a winning send-off for Dee, bringing his four-year tenure at the club to a close.
Dee departs having overseen a sustained period of success, including a maiden First Grade Premiership in 2024 and two Grand Final appearances.
The club will now turn its attention to 2027, with former Socceroo and Sydney Olympic Championship-winning coach Abbas Saad set to take over the reins.
Match Stats
Rockdale Ilinden: 2 (Timothy Wohlfiel 36og’, Moudi Najjar 45’)
UNSW: 0
Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale
Sunday 30th August 2026
Referee: Eric Saba
Assistants: James Makris & Daniel Cornofsky
Fourth Official: Ethan Zvargulis
Rockdale Ilinden: 1. Levi Kaye, 2. Hunter Elliott (16. Michael Marcevski 86’), 3. Lachlan Griffiths, 4. Reo Kunimoto, 7. Ollie Wiggin, 8. Jerry Skotadis (11. Lochlan Constable 81’), 9. Moudi Najjar, 10. Brendan Cholakian, 17. James Temelkovski (27. Lukas Ribarevski 81’), 26. Harry van der Saag (14. Dean Pelekanos 86’), 66.Mathieu Cordier (5. Giorgio Speranza 46’)
Subs Not Used: 19. Dean Jovcevski, 21. Ronan Mulgrew Yellow Cards: Ollie Wiggin 69’
Red Cards: Nil
UNSW: 12. Cassius Flavell, 2. Timothy Wohlfiel (35. Fred Morley 90’), 3. Emilio Vinci, 6. Grant Lynch, 7. Rufus McGuiness (9. Kevin Lopes 64’), 8. Tacettin Kumsuz (13. Sean Woods 64’), 11. Jack Fulton (19.Oliver Puflett 64’), 14. Lachlan Campbell, 16. Thomas Hynes, 17. Jyden Harb, 18. Conor Quilligan (10. Nathan Roberts 76’)
Subs not used: 1. Tristan Prendergast, 4. Liam Wood Yellow Cards: Jyden Harb 54’, Timothy Wohlfiel 78’
Red Cards: Nil
By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock
