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Markovic to bid farewell to his beloved United 58

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There will be a few teary-eyed players, spectators and family members this Sunday when Sydney United 58 entertain Manly United at their spiritual ground at Edensor Park when club stalwart and well known ‘nice guy’ Petar Markovic calls full-time on his football career.

Markovic has lived and breathed United 58 ever since he was a youngster and was a keen fan belting out “Croatia, Croatia” during the club’s National Soccer League days before signing as a youth prospect working his way up to senior football where he played in Australia’s elite competition with his much loved club.

An emotional Markovic knew that the 2019 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season was to be his last.

“After 22 years of defending the badge of the world’s greatest football club, it is difficult to say goodbye as a footballer.

“It was not an easy decision, but it feels like the right one.

“Juggling a full time job, starting my football academy AMPM FOOTBALL with my brother Ante and coaching the Sydney United SAP under 9s team, it all got a bit too much for me before first grade training.

“Although I thoroughly enjoyed it and gave it my all, I now get a lot more joy coaching and watching the kids develop.

“Sydney United gave me so much in life.

“Now is the time to give something back and help our juniors become better footballers.”

The 36-year-old has seen and experienced many glorious moments as both a fan and player at United 58 but it was the first time he wore the famous red jersey in the National Soccer League that stood out as his fondest memory.

“While I have experienced many memorable moments during my time, I’ll never forget making my first grade debut at 18 years of age in the NSL, something I dreamt of after Jure Cindric presented me with my very first Sydney Croatia jersey at the age of 10.

“I’ll also cherish my memories with talented players and coaches from then on, way too many to list so I’d rather not mention in case I miss some important people.”

Silverware was the norm at United 58 and the ever reliable defender stated that the famous 2006 NSW Premier League Grand Final victory by far stood out as one of his finest moments.

“I have won many trophies with the club, but winning the 2006 grand final was by far the most special.

“Having experienced that with long time club servant Sime Krslovic, and many players who I grew up with from a young age at the club, is something we all hold close to our hearts.

Then there was his match up with one of the world’s best footballers, namely Carlito (Carlos) Tevez during the club’s trip to China in 2017.

“One other memorable moment I have to mention is the China trip in 2017 against Argentine star Carlos Tevez and Shanghai Shenua.

“I’ve been a part of many away trips, but this can never be beaten with stories that will live on forever.”

Asked who he wanted to thank on his long and fruitful journey as a footballer his parents were number one, but also made a special mention to the Sydney United Supporters who stood by him in the good and bad times.

“I would like to thank my beautiful parents who sacrificed many hours in the early years driving me to and from the playing fields and supporting me throughout this journey, my family and friends, all the coaches who helped me along the way and lastly, the SUS (Sydney United Supporters) – the best supporters in the world without a doubt!

“During this time we have celebrated, suffered, laughed and cried together.

“I have always felt supported and loved both during the good times and the bad.

“You guys have always been our 12th man and supported us no matter what.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

“A special mention has to go out to Ray Gerrie.

“I know he’d be reading this waiting for his name to pop up!

“He deserves much praise.

“He loves the club as much as I do, looked after us players every night of the week, mentoring, cooking, washing, but most importantly, being a dear friend.”

Away from the NPL, Markovic will have one more match to get through should his side not qualify for the NPL NSW Men’s Finals Series and that’s the Round of 16 FFA Cup clash against the Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday August 28th – a game he will no doubt thrive on in ensuring he played yet another pivotal role in historic club’s night of nights.

Petar Markovic is one of those players that truly epitomizes what a true footballer is.

As it should be, Markovic will always live, breathe and love his adored club Sydney United 58 or the way he has always called it, ‘Sydney Croatia’.

 

Manly United earn round of 16 FFA Cup spot

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Manly United will continue its run in the FFA Cup round of 16 for the first time in its club’s history after defeating fellow NPL NSW Men’s outfit Mt Druitt Town Rangers 4-2 on penalties after the match ended at two-a-piece in regular time.

Manly United striker Dejan Pandurevic drilled home an early effort in the second minute but the attackers opener was quickly cancelled out by Toufic Alameddine as he hit back in the sixth minute.

Manly then had the opportunity to grab the lead once more in the 66th minute via Brendan Cholakian from the spot-kick. His resulting penalty was expertly saved by club captain Carlos Saliadarre.

The game ended at 2-2 with the match heading to extra time and Manly United’s young gun Harry McCarthy put the visitors ahead once more in the 95th minute.

With the Northern Beaches side tasting a round of 16 spot, Rangers’ Young Socceroos star John Roberts had other ideas as he tied the game with a well taken goal in the 110th minute.

With both keepers Salidarre and Dylan Mitchell saving a handful it was Charles Mendy that sent the traveling Manly United fans crazy with his final spot kick that all but assured a spot in the round of 16 for Paul Dee’s men.

Round 20 will certainly be a tough one for both teams with the Rangers backing up on Saturday in an away clash against the Sutherland Sharks at Seymour Shaw while Manly United host Rockdale City Suns at Cromer Park on Sunday.

As many as three Football NSW clubs will be heavily involved in week two of the round of 32 FFA Cup matches on Wednesday 31st of July as St George FC host Sydney United 58 at the Ilinden Sports Centre while the Marconi Stallions travel to chilly Tasmania to take on South Hobart FC at the Blundstone Arena.

In other matches, Magpie Crusaders defeated the Coomera Colts 2-1, Edgeworth Eagles defeated Darwin Olympic 3-0, Moreland Zebras went to penalties and defeated the Bulleen Lions 3-2, Adelaide Olympic beat Floreat Athena 4-3 while Brisbane Olympic crushed Bayswater 5-2.

 

VALE – Emanuele Ziino

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Football NSW was saddened to hear the news of the unfortunate passing of one of the state’s most adored club administrators, APIA Leichhardt Tigers own superstar, Emanuele Ziino.

For Mannie, APIA Leichhardt Tigers was more than just a team, it was his life.

Ziino started supporting the club as a five-year-old, travelling to Lambert Park as a youngster with his family.

The following 47 years, the staunch APIA supporter was also a fan, player and official, such was his dedication to his adored club.

Football NSW had conducted an interview with Mannie two years ago and it was clear to see how much he loved his club.

“My first involvement with the club was as a supporter and I just haven’t looked back,” he said.

“Even till today I am the team manager for first grade, I help with the juniors and I also look after the tour to Italy every year being the Viareggio Tournament.

“I can remember as a kid going to games at Lambert Park which was a full house, a heap of Socceroos played on the ground in the 70’s and 80’s.

“One game I remember clearly was when we played against Olympic and we were down 1-0 with 15 minutes to go. We turned it around to win 2-1 and the 8,000 capacity crowd went absolutely nuts.

“I still think Lambert Park full has just as good if not better atmosphere than any ground in NSW.”

The 53-year-old spent seven days per week at the club and also played for the Tigers over-35s and 45s team in the Canterbury District Soccer Football Association as a goalkeeper.

Mannie was well and truly an Institute for not just the APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC club but for football in general.

His presence, charisma and personality will be sorely missed around the football grounds in NSW.

Football NSW would like to pass on its deepest condolences to the Ziino family.

May he rest in heavenly peace.

Sydney Olympic ready for Perth SC test

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Lambert Park is set to host a cracking NPL Finals Series fixture this Sunday as duel Premiership and Championship winners Sydney Olympic entertain the best from the West, Perth SC in what promises to be a mouth-watering Elimination Final match-up.

Abbas Saad’s men are still reeling from a season of highs having taken out the prestigious double and will be using their recent 3-1 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final victory against APIA Leichhardt Tigers as inspiration when they tackle Ramon Falzon’s men.

Their opponents will by no means be a push over as Perth SC, nicknamed the ‘Azzurri’, will also be full of confidence as they too took out the double in Western Australia.

Perth SC stole the Premiership off Perth Glory by one solitary point while they convincingly defeated the same outfit in the McInerney Ford Top Four Cup four goals to one thanks to a stunning hat-trick by Paul Zimarino.

Celebrating their 70th year anniversary, Zimarino is hoping that his boys can give the NPL Finals Series a fair shake-up starting with Olympic.

“It really will be a great match-up when you think about it, Western Australia’s best versus NSW’s best.

“We all know how strong the NPL NSW Men’s competition is and what a great club Sydney Olympic is and has been so all the players are really looking forward to this challenge.”

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder stated that his chargers will keep a close eye on Blues’ Spanish star Alejandro Sanchez and lynch-pin midfielder Max Burgess as key targets.

“We have watched a few video highlights and have identified both Alejandro and Max as threats, but we also know that they have proven big game players all across the park, so we will need to be at our very best come Sunday.”

One player the Blues need to focus on will be a red-hot Brazilian in ace striker Gustavo Catarcione.

“Gustavo brings so much to the team and I believe he is and has been one of the best players ever to play in the NPL for the last several seasons.

“He has also been amongst the goals in W.A., has won himself a number of Golden Boot awards and he always gives our team that extra edge.”

One player the Azzurri will miss however, will be former Socceroos defender Adrian Madaschi who will not be traveling to Sydney.

“Adrian will be a big loss for us as he is a good leader on the pitch.

“Although he hasn’t had much game time this year, each time he has stepped onto the pitch, he has always offered us that extra strength in defence.”

Perth SC do boost a pretty young squad with the team averaging the age of 25, something that could well prove a good sign for the visitors.

One aspect the travelling squad will need to come to terms with though, is the match being played on artificial surface at Lambert Park.

Although Perth SC’s spiritual home ground Dorrien Gardens is a grass pitch, the club does boast artificial training pitches which has assisted in the team’s lead-up to this match against the Blues.

“All pitches in the Western Australian NPL are grass pitches so we lose out on that.

“In saying that though, we do train twice a week on our artificial training surface that we have on site along with training on our normal ground so we will be ready for this.”

Olympic will have other ideas and will be fully focused on the tough job at hand with club stalwart Will Angel ready for the big test.

Angel has been with the Blues for an amazing 15 years now, and at the age of 29, cannot wait for the big match on Sunday.

“The boys are buzzing, its business as usual at training with everybody focused on the next game at hand in the NPL Finals Series.

“The squad is very motivated to win the treble for the club which would cap off a tremendous season.

“We know how important the NPL Finals Series is and we want to make a good account for ourselves and our fans.

“We understand Perth SC have had a very successful season and have quality players across the park but we are confident we can do the job at Lambert Park in front of our amazing home fans.”

Angel will no doubt bring his experience and his energy along with his love for the club to will the Sydney Olympic boys to a hopeful win and a chance to play either Canberra FC or Campbelltown City in the NPL Finals Series Semi Finals to be played on the 22nd/23rd of September with the big final set for September 29th or 30th.

Match Details

NPL Finals Series 2018 Elimination Final

Sunday 16th September

Lambert Park

Sydney Olympic v Perth SC

*Tickets to be sold at the gates

*Match to be livestreamed on www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au

Click here to view the official Match Day Program

 

Edensor Park ready for battle this Saturday

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Sydney United Sports Centre will be the setting this coming Saturday (1st of September) as either Sydney United 58 or APIA Leichhardt Tigers will fight out for the final spot in the 2018 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Grand Final to be played on Sunday 9th of September at Leichhardt Oval to face Premiers Sydney Olympic.

It will be the first day of Spring which will see a titanic battle take shape in Sydney’s West and at one of Australian football’s most iconic spots where a number of former National Soccer League legends and Socceroos graced Sydney United Sports Centre with two iconic teams going at it for that final spot.

Whatever the result will be, the 2018 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final will be one not to be missed as it will be Sydney Olympic, a club steeped in history taking on either Sydney United 58 or APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

It will be a feast of football on Saturday as two big matches will take place prior to the big one at 7:30pm as Rockdale City Suns face Blacktown City at 2:30pm in the Grade 18’s while at 5pm Sutherland Sharks battle Blacktown City – the winners of both ties will face Sydney FC in both grades in the 2018 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final.

NPL NSW Men’s Preliminary Finals Fixtures
Saturday 1st September
Sydney United Sports Centre
U18
Rockdale City Suns FC v Blacktown City FC 2:30pm
U20
Blacktown City FC v Sutherland Sharks FC 5:00pm
1st Grade
Sydney United 58 FC v APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC 7:30pm