After every round of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Men’s season Team of the Week brings to focus the best players from that weekend.
Ladder leaders Sydney United 58 were held to a 1-1 draw after Manly United impressed at home thanks to a man-of-the-match performance from Brendan Cholakian. The Manly captain led his side superbly as the midfield fought well to contain the dynamic Untied 58 attack. An enterprising display from Cholakian gave the home side great direction, as they threatened early on. United 58 can be thankful for a solid display from Tom Manos in goal, the shot-stopper forced into some critical saves as the home-side piled on the pressure. Manly defender Kieran Paull was energetic at the back, even finding time to crack a shot at goal that unfortunately hit the post. His second-half was just as strong as the first, staying poised in the defending line and setting up the equaliser in the dying minutes with a great cross.
Across town, it was a clash of the cellar dwellers as Spartans hosted Sutherland in Blacktown, with each side desperately needing a win. Both teams traded shots throughout the game, each missing crucial chances to open the scoring. Hard-working midfielder Tomohiro Kajiyama was everywhere for Sutherland, pressing well in attack and setting up his strikers with clever balls. The Japanese import almost latched onto a cross as he attempted a header in the dying minutes, but was unlucky to see the ball fly over his head. By full-time, no side had been able to break the 0-0 deadlock.
An entertaining match at Hensley Athletic Field saw Bonnyrigg White Eagles topple Hakoah Sydney City East, as Robbie Younis again showed maturity and composure in front of goal. After a scoreless opening 30 minutes, the striker was called up to the penalty spot and executed beautifully. After clawing their way back to 2-2 in the second-half, Hakoah continued to be troubled by Younis’ skill set as he forced the keeper into a spectacular save. Despite hitting a free-kick that sailed just past the post, Younis’ side scored two late goals to record a 4-2 victory.
Blacktown City held on to secure the three points in a 1-0 win over APIA. A second-half fightback from the Tigers almost pegged the lead, as Jordan Murray tried desperately to score the equaliser. The striker’s tireless running was mainly foiled by City’s off-side trap, as he proved difficult to contain when in range of goal. His powerful header in the 88th minute beat the keeper but crashed into the post, as APIA suffered a third straight loss. Earlier, Danny Choi lit up the filed with an electric display, hitting home a free-kick in the 36th minute that left the keeper stranded. The Korean midfielder consistently found space in attack and deservedly picked up man of the match honours.
A dominant performance from Rockdale City Suns comfortably secured the three points at home, as Sydney Olympic struggled to keep pace. The ever-reliable Toufic Alameddine again excelled in attack, as he caused havoc down the left wing. Chances flowed for Rockdale at the end of the first half, as Alameddine lifted his intensity. After toiling away for over an hour, the winger scored a deserved goal after pouncing onto a through ball and smashing it into the net, with the match ending in a 3-0 win for the hosts.
Parramatta rocketed up the ladder after coming out on top in a high-scoring affair with Wollongong. A resilient display at the back from Darcy Madden ensured the Wolves would skip out to a 2-0 lead, as he helped to keep the away side scoreless. The defender was equally impressive with the ball, some darting runs up the sideline forcing Parramatta onto the back-foot. But a late first-half goal to Tomislav Mijic gave Parramatta a sniff, the centre-back nailing a classy header to flip the momentum. Luke Grima was on fire in the opening exchanges of the second half, bagging a brace within 15 minutes. The striker’s second goal was particularly stylish, a half-volley that curled into the goal. Off the back of Grima’s efforts, Parramatta fought well to snatch a 4-3 win.
GK – Tom Manos – Sydney United 58 FC
LB – Kieran Paull – Manly United
RB – Darcy Madden – Wollongong Wolves
CB – Tomislav Mijic – Parramatta FC
LM – Tomohiro Kajiyama – Sutherland Sharks
CM – Danny Choi – Blacktown City
CM – Brendan Cholakian – Manly United
RM – Toufic Alamaddine – Rockdale City Suns
ST – Jordan Murray – APIA Leichhardt Tigers
ST – Robbie Younis – Bonnyrigg White Eagles
ST – Luke Grima – Parramatta FC
Round 11 Preview – PS4 NPL NSW Men’s U20
With only five points separating fifth-placed Bonnyrigg White Eagles and tenth-placed Parramatta – a side who spent the opening eight rounds of the competition languishing at the foot of the table, the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Men’s U20 competition could not get any tighter.
The landscape is bound to shift once more in a Round 11 that will see the top six in action against their nearest rivals with Sutherland Sharks hosting APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Bonnyrigg White Eagles welcoming Wollongong Wolves and Blacktown City facing Manly United.
The latter is the highly anticipated first versus second Match of the Round at Lilys Football Centre.
Match of the Round
Blacktown City v Manly United, Sunday 1.00pm at Lilys Football Centre
All eyes will be on Lilys Football Centre on Sunday afternoon when Blacktown City host Manly United in a mouth-watering top of the table encounter.
Having nailed their title ambitions to the mast early on in the season the last three weeks have seen Manly United suffer a series of setbacks, with back to back losses to APIA Leichhardt and last round’s shock 2-1 defeat to Sydney United 58 relinquishing their lead at the top of the table.
A clinical Blacktown City side has taken advantage of Manly’s slump and although the Ben Wright coached side were held to a 0-0 draw by APIA Leichhardt Tigers in Round 10’s Match of the Round at Lambert Park, Blacktown have picked up 13 points from an available 15 in an excellent turn of form that has seen the side overtake Sunday’s second-placed opponents on the ladder.
Last Sunday’s stalemate with APIA was the third time this campaign Blacktown have been held scoreless, indicating that whilst the reigning champions look like favourites to defend their 2015 crown at this point in time there’s still plenty of improvements to be made.
And although it seems any side could challenge for the highest honours this season, a win on Sunday for Blacktown would cement their reputation as the team to beat once more in season 2016.
Saturday
Sutherland Sharks v APIA Leichhardt Tigers, 4.30pm at Seymour Shaw
Round 11 of the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Men’s U20 competition kicks off at Seymour Shaw on Saturday afternoon with fourth-placed Sutherland Sharks taking on third-placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
It’s sure to be an enthralling encounter when the two championship dark horses meet for the first time this season, with Allan Edmondson’s Sutherland coming off the back of three successive victories and George Sidis’ APIA Leichhardt firing on all cylinders having lost just once of their last six.
Only goal difference will separate the two sides prior to the matches’ commencement and it’s sure to go down to the wire when the two face off in Saturday’s contest.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles v Wollongong Wolves, 5.00pm at Bonnyrigg Sports Club
Bonnyrigg lost for the first time in six matches when Stephen Sigmund’s outfit slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Hakoah Sydney City East in Round 10 and revenge will be firmly on the minds of the White Eagles when Wollongong Wolves come to Bonnyrigg Sports Club.
The South Coast outfit come into the clash in fine fickle having dismantled Parramatta 4-0 at WIN Stadium last Sunday, a match that saw first team usual Ricky Zucco net a hat-trick.
It’s another crucial fixture in a round brimming with decisive encounters – fifth versus sixth at Bonnyrigg Sports Club, with Wollongong trailing their hosts by a single point.
Bonnyrigg have tasted victory in their last three outings at home, and it will be a tough test for the travelling Wolves who must break down the competition’s meanest defence in order to secure what would be a crucial victory – one that would see them leapfrog the White Eagles on the competition ladder.
Sunday
Sydney Olympic v Blacktown Spartans, 1.00pm at Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic host Blacktown Spartans on Sunday afternoon with the boys from Belmore looking to fight their way into the top six.
A mixed bag of results for Olympic with two 1-1 draws against Wollongong Wolves and Rockdale City Suns in as many weeks has lifted the importance of three points against a struggling Spartans side who are winless in their last five matches.
Samuel Jacob’s team lost their fourth match of this winless spell at home to Sutherland Sharks last Saturday, a result that saw the Blacktown side slip to ninth in the table. With Sunday’s opponents leading a host of finals hopefuls who have all captured form at the time of the Spartans’ malaise, another setback for Blacktown could have significant ramifications on the top six at the end of the season.
Parramatta v Rockdale City Suns, 1.00pm at Melita Stadium
A 4-0 defeat to a rampant Wollongong Wolves on Sunday brought Parramatta crashing back to earth after Mark Zecchin’s side had stunningly put themselves within a point of the top six with a midweek hammering of competition heavyweights APIA Leichhardt Tigers.
Although it was the Melita Stadium side’s sixth defeat of the campaign, the manner of the loss will come as a great disappointment to Parramatta who have consistently mixed it with the best despite their lowly standing on the competition ladder.
They will hope to make further enhancements to their finals hopes when they tackle bottom-placed Rockdale City Suns at Melita Stadium on Sunday.
With only three points separating the two sides, Rockdale will need no motivation to claim all three points as they search for their first win since Round Four.
Sydney United 58 v Hakoah Sydney City East, 2.00pm at Sydney United Sports Centre
Following a sensational 2-1 upset win over Manly United in Round Ten, Sydney United 58 welcome Hakoah Sydney City East to Sydney United Sports Centre hoping two achieve back to back wins for the first time this season.
Davor Bajsic’s ranks will no doubt be buoyed by one of the standout results of the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW Men’s U20 campaign so far would do their finals hopes a major boost if they can repeat a similar feat on Sunday.
Standing in their way is a Hakoah Sydney City East outfit also coming off the back of a major upset victory with the 2-0 defeat of in-form Bonnyrigg White Eagles placing the league newcomers within striking distance of the top six.
-By Jacob Windon
NPL Men’s match ready for all female officials line-up
As the profile of women’s football continues to grow ahead of the Matildas’ long-awaited return to the Olympics, Football NSW is proud to announce a historic news piece.
For the first time in the competition’s history, a match in the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition will be officiated by an all-female contingent, with well-renowned and respected Westfield W-League referee Kate Jacewicz set to oversee proceedings.
Signifying the increasing message of equality for all that Football NSW is promoting in the sport, the four women will become a part of history when they officiate the round 11 match between Blacktown City and Manly United at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday.
“I think it’s a fantastic step by Football NSW to allow us the opportunity to have an all-female officiating team,” said Jacewicz.
“It’s definitely in line with FIFA’s new philosophy in terms of men and women being equal.
“Just because we’re female it doesn’t take way from our experience level or our ability,”
Recently recognised as the Westfield W-League Referee of the Year, Kate is one of the country’s best referees. This will be the first time she has officiated alongside a team of female referees in a National Premier League competition, and is looking forward to the match. It will be a highly experienced officiating team that takes to the field on Sunday, with assistant referee Sarah Ho having attended multiple FIFA and Olympic tournaments. Joining Ho will be fellow Westfield W-League assistant referee and Melbourne born Joanna Charaktis and Kelly Jones.
Apart from bridging the gap between men and women’s status within the football community, Kate is also hoping this week’s match will encourage young officials to become professional.
“If we could inspire other young females referees and even male referees to reach NPL level I’d be really happy. It’s a very exciting opportunity for myself.”
Richie Cardozo signs with Manly United
Manly United have secured a prized signing for the second half of the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season by snapping up well-travelled striker and 2013 Golden Boot winner Richie Cardozo.
The 30-year-old, who has played for the likes of the Rockdale City Suns, Sydney United 58 and Sydney Olympic, has returned home after stints in Armenia and Malta.
Cardozo will look towards making his debut with Paul Dee’s side in Wednesday’s Westfield FFA Cup Round 7 clash against the Mounties Wanderers before backing up with a huge clash against Blacktown City on Sunday.
Quick thinking Choi seals Tigers fate
A Danny Choi free kick was all it took as Blacktown City edged APIA Leichhardt Tigers 1-0 during PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Round 10 action at Lambert Park on Sunday.
While Choi’s dead ball effort was the only goal of the game, the match featured plenty of attacking football.
Jordan Murray should have given the home side the lead in the 7th minute when he unleashed a shot on goal but goalkeeper Nenad Vekic was equal to the task.
Both side’s failed to capitalise early in the piece but their ambition was obvious.
Danny Choi’s first free kick of the game forced a save from Ryan Norval but the shot stopper was always in control.
APIA had its own dead ball chance and Nick Olsen’s effort was palmed over the crossbar by Nenad Vekic.
APIA probed down the flanks and through the middle but a deep lying Blacktown defensive line countered the pace of APIA’s front men.
Choi sent over a corner in the 34th minute which was headed back across goal for Joey Gibbs to hammer acrobatically toward the net, but Norval came to the rescue with a tremendous point blank save.
Norval wasn’t so lucky two minutes later when Choi took a quick free-kick that left him stranded and gave Blacktown the lead.
The Tigers were playing a controlled and balanced style of football but found themselves behind at the break.
Stern words in the sheds at the interval lead to a determined APIA team in the second half.
After 60 minutes substitute Adrian Ucchino clipped a delightful ball over the Blacktown defence but APIA striker Jordan Murray made his run fractionally too soon and was unable to slip the offside trap.
Danny Choi attempted a cross in the 69th minute which took a wicked deflection and had Norval scrambling back to keep it out of his net
APIA was forced to throw caution to the wind against a well-structured City oufit.
A length of the field move involving Choi and Riku Sasaki ended with Mitch Mallia firing just wide of the upright in the quickest City counter attack of the night.
Murray was unlucky in the 88th minute when his header crashed against the crossbar despite beating City goalkeeper Vekic.
The result was not what APIA coach Daniel Cummins had ordered.
“I’m proud of the boys first and foremost,” he said.
“We were so much better with our structure and our shape was better and I thought we turned in a much improved performance.
“There’s still a couple of things I’m not happy with but I can’t fault the boys effort. This week at training they’ve been switched and we will prove we are a better side than where we sit on the table.
Mark Crittenden said APIA were a team he was wary of.
“We gave a very disciplined performance tonight because we know what they’ve got in their squad and the table doesn’t really indicate what a good football team they can be,” he said.
“We set up differently with Sash (Macura) and Zach( Cairncross) out. We set up to ensure we had numbers behind the ball and congest space.
“They nearly got the goal back at the end when (Jordan) Murray headed against the bar and sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t. Tonight it went in our favour so I can’t grumble.”
Match Stats
APIA Leichhardt 0
Blacktown City: 1 (Choi 36’ )
Sunday, 15th May, 2016
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Michael Weiner
Assistant Referees: Ray Osborne & Val Bertuccioli
Fourth Official: Michael Bailey
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 92. NORVAL Ryan 2. MILLGATE Nathan, 4. BARTELS Bradley, 6. AUSTIN Luke, 10. PARISI Franco ©, 11. MURRAY Jordan, 13. D’APUZZO David (19. HASEGAWA Kenta 89’), 15. MUATA MARLOW Themba, 17. VLASTELICA Adrian (18. UCCHINO Adrian 45’), 22. DUNCAN Stewart (12. COX Dominic 88’) 23. OLSEN Nick,
Substitutes Not Used: 5. HOOPER Brendan, 50. TUXFORD Blake
Yellow Cards: Millgate 38’, Vlastelica 42’, Austin 43’
Red Cards:
Blacktown City: 1. VEKIC Nenad; 3. SPERANZA Giorgio, 4. SPERANZA Roberto, 6. LEWIS Matthew ©, 7. MAJOR Travis, 9. GIBBS Joey, 10. EVANS Conor, 11. CHOI Danny Seung-Joo (12. GROZDANOVSKI Jonathan 86’), 16. ANTELMI Patrick (14. MALIA Mitchell 65’), 17. BEUMIE Lewis, 21. SASAKI Riku
Substitutes Not Used: 15. ASKEW Dakota, 18. DANDAN Isaac, 20. PRENDERGAST Tristan
Yellow Cards:
Red Cards:
Player Ratings
3 – Danny Choi BC
2 – Nick Olsen ALT
1 – Jordan Murray ALT
-By PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Micky Brock