Hakoah thwarted by Gibbs double
Blacktown City came from behind to earn a hard fought three points against Hakoah Sydney City with a 2-1 at Hensley Athletic Field on Saturday.
A Joey Gibbs double, his tenth in 2018, in as many minutes was the difference for the visitors as Hakoah once again tasted defeat after leading.
Amaury Gauthier opened the scoring for Hakoah on the cusp of halftime to give the home side a 1-0 advantage going into the interval.
However, the home side couldn’t contain a relentless Blacktown attack and Gibbs netted twice in two minutes.
Hakoah tried to fight back but it was too little too late as Blacktown scooped the three competition points.
City came into this contest as strong favourites as they looked to consolidate their position in the top four.
Hakoah on the other hand were coming off a disappointing loss to APIA Leichhardt Tigers in the Waratah Cup last weekend.
In a first half which was slow to start, City looked to assert their dominance early on as they dictated the tempo.
Hakoah looked to squeeze the space and make it difficult for City to keep possession.
The first chance did not occur until the 12th when Devante Clut blazed his shot well wide after making space just outside of the box.
City continued to dominate possession and territory but Hakoah continued to prove tough in defence as Gibbs had the next chance for City in the 20thminute but he found his swivel volley easily collected by Hakoah goalkeeper Anthony Bouzanis.
The best chance City created inside the first 30minutes fell again to Gibbs as his header was deflected wide after a lovely cross from the left by City captain Matthew Lewis.
City’s frustration was nearly compounded in the 32nd minute as a sloppy turnover presented a chance to Andre De Jong of Hakoah but he could only send his shot over the bar.
The deadlock was nearly broken in the 35th minute as a wayward clearance was well turned away by Hakoah keeper Bouzanis as he did well to keep the scores level.
For all of City’s dominance they were punished for not being able to take their chances as Hakoah against the run of play took the lead just before half-time.
A lovely exchange of passes on the right ended in a cut back and Gauthier was quickest to react as he tapped in ahead of the City defenders.
A major upset was now on the cards as Hakoah went into the break 1-0 up.
City needed to respond in the second half as they again looked to gain control of the ball and dominate territory.
Gibbs again had a headed chance for City a few minutes after the break but he saw his effort easily saved by Bouzanis in the Hakoah goal.
Hakoah continued to frustrate City as Oliver Green looked to double Hakoah’s lead in the 55th minute but he saw his curled effort finish well wide of the City goal.
Gibbs frustrating night continued a few minutes later as he saw his toe poked effort well saved by Bouzanis after jumping on a rebound.
Hakoah should have doubled their lead in the 63rd minute after De Jong found himself free in the box from a Hakoah free kick but could only direct his volley wide of the target.
These misses would prove costly for Hakoah as City’s persistence paid off in the 74th minute as Gibbs finished clinically into the bottom far corner.
Barely a minute later the game was completely turned on its head.
Gibbs added a second for City as he pounced on a lovely cross from the left to side volley into the back of the net.
City continued to dominate after taking the lead as Gibbs was denied a hat-trick five minutes later for off-side.
Hakoah looked to press for an equaliser but Blacktown’s defence repelled Hakoah’s aerial assault.
Gibbs again came close to completing his hat-trick in the 89th minute but was denied by a point blank save by Bouzanis.
City ran the game out and earned themselves an important 2-1 win to consolidate their top four position while the loss leaves Hakoah eleventh in the standings.
Blacktown City coach Mark Crittenden will know his team will need to improve as the season enters the business end of the season albeit with a list of injuries to contend with while Hakoah coach Gavin Rae was left frustrated after his team came up short after a resilient effort.
Match Stats
Hakoah Sydney City 1 (Gauthier 44’)
Blacktown City 2 (Gibbs 74’, 75’)
Saturday, July 21 2018
Hensley Athletic Field, Eastgardens
Hakoah Sydney City: 1.Bouzanis, 19.Cox, 11.Crighton, 10.De Jong, 6.Draper, 21.Gauthier, 8.Green, 3.Kouta, 60.Noji, 16.Orchard, 5.Stamatellis
Substitutes: 20.Combes, 13.Ezekiel, 17.Jones, 12.Roberts
Yellow Cards: Orchard
Blacktown City: 1.Prendergast, 8.Araujo (19’ Cairncross 88’), 23.Bragg (17.Askew 68’), 7.Clut, 10.Evans, 9.Gibbs, 6.Lewis, 5.Lynch, 3.G.Speranza, 4.R.Speranza, 22.Spyrakis
Substitutes not used: 16.Rodic,18.Versi, 20. Savicic
Yellow Cards: Clut, G.Speranza
-By National Premier Leagues NSW Sebastian Kalos
APIA Leichhardt Tigers crowned TAFE NSW Waratah Cup Champions
APIA Leichhardt Tigers are the 2018 TAFE NSW Waratah Cup Champions.
Deservedly beaten by Hakoah Sydney City East in the 2017 Final, there was to be no giant-killing this time around as the Tigers strolled to a 3-0 victory at Lambert Park.
Having wrestled the NPL NSW Men’s top tier competition lead off Sydney Olympic last weekend, Billy McColl’s side carried the confidence of a team approaching their peak.
And the league frontrunners were certainly in top gear from the opening minute here and avenged the blowout of last year with performance of consummate professionalism.
Jordan Murray’s brace did the damage for the Tigers, with the NPL NSW Men’s golden boot favourite striking early in both halves. When the Tigers’ frontman clinched his brace with a superb bullet header five minutes in the second half, the match as a contest was all over.
It was in stark comparison the cup final of a year ago. Hakoah entered that contest as huge underdogs, but capitalised on a complacent showing from the Tigers with a fantastic display.
Although Gavin Rae’s side approached this encounter with the same diligence they were mercilessly dispatched by the overwhelming favourites.
Anthony Bouzanis had earned man of the match honours from the club’s 2017 win and the Hakoah goalkeeper was once again at the forefront of the action in keeping the underdogs from eastern Sydney in the contest.
But the Hakoah number one will lament a horror error early on for Murray’s opener, with a miscommunication between captain Mitchell Stamatellis allowing the Tigers’ frontman to nudge the Tigers in the lead.
The APIA striker has notched 18 goals in the NPL NSW Men’s this season and should’ve doubled the lead fifteen minutes later after racing onto Tasuku Sekiya’s pass, only for Bouzanis to stand tall. Bouzanis’ heroics continued up until the half time whistle with strong saves from Sean Symons, Nathan Millgate and Sekiya.
Millgate was rarely troubled at the back for the Tigers and supplied the killer diagonal ball for Murray to plant APIA’s second past Bouzanis five minutes after the interval.
Hakoah coach Rae threw caution to the wind later in the second half but his side was unable to carve a way through a resolute Tigers backline, and were nullified by APIA at each attempt.
Their desperate attempts to get back into the match saw the Tigers add gloss to a dominant display late on, when Sean Symons combined with Franco Parisi and unleashed an unstoppable drive from outside the box.
Match Stats
Hakoah Sydney City East 0
APIA Leichhardt Tigers 3 (Murray 10’, 50’, S. Symons 80’)
Saturday 14th July 2018
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Hakoah Sydney City East: 1. Anthony Bouzanis, 19. Dominic Cox (12. Nathan Roberts 70’), 10. Andre De Jong, 6. Cameron Draper, 14. Anthony Frangie, 21. Amaury Gauthier, 8. Oliver Green (17. Harry Jones 80’), 3. Michael Kouta, 60. Takayuki Noji, 16. Joshua Orchard (11. Jordan Crighton 70’), 5. Mitchell Stamatellis
Substitutes not used: 20. James Combes, 25. Max Ephraim
Yellow cards: Gauthier 62’
Red cards: N/A
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: 8. Corey Biczo (10. Franco Parisi 62’), 7. Howard Fondyke, 19. Brandon Lundy (5. Stephan Adattini 86’), 15. Themba Muata-Marlow, 1. Ivan Necevski, 20. Tasuku Sekiya, 4. Joshua Symons, 16. Sean Symons, 18. Adrian Ucchino (3. Paul Galimi 86’), 11. Jordan Murray (17. Samuel Gulisano 83’), 2. Nathan Millgate
Substitutes not used: 22. Blake Tuxford
Yellow cards: Ucchino 33’, Millgate 76’
Red cards: N/A
Player Ratings
Hakoah Sydney City East
Anthony Bouzanis – 7
Michael Kouta – 6
Mitchell Stamatellis – 6
Cameron Draper – 6
Oliver Green – 6.5
Andre De Jong – 6
Anthony Frangie – 6
Joshua Orchard – 6
Dominic Cox – 6
Amaury Gauthier – 6
Takayuki Noji – 6
Jordan Crighton – 5
Nathan Roberts – 5
Harry Jones – N/A
APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Ivan Necevski – 7
Nathan Millgate – 8
Joshua Symons – 8
Brandon Lundy – 7
Howard Fondyke – 8
Corey Biczo – 7
Sean Symons – 8
Jordan Murray – 8.5
Themba Muata-Marlow – 7
Adrian Ucchino – 6.5
Tasuku Sekiya – 7
Paul Galimi – N/A
Stephan Adattini – N/A
Franco Parisi – 7
Samuel Gulisano – N/A
Blake Tuxford – N/A
Zlatko Arambasic: Football In His Veins
Zlatko Arambasic, the Hakoah first team assistant coach, was part of a golden generation of players who developed under the tutelage of former Australian youth coach, Les Scheinflug, in the late 1980’s.
Although he only played one match for Australia against Moscow Torpedo in 1990, Arambasic had a successful career from 1990-1999 in Belgium and France, scoring forty four goals in eighty four first team appearances
Arambasic is in his second season as assistant coach to Gavin Rae and is learning quickly the demands of NPL NSW Men’s.
In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Arambasic talks about his early career in the game, his experiences representing Australia, his take on the Hakoah club and the current NPL season.
ROGER SLEEMAN
It’s a long time since you made your NSL debut for Canterbury as a sixteen year old in 1986.
Do you still have that same thirst and craving for success in the game as a coach.
ZLATKO ARAMBASIC
Very much so, even though I was absent from senior coaching for a long time.
When Hakoah was promoted to NPL NSW Men’s , the offer to become assistant coach to Gavin Rae at the top level was morale boosting.
However, I’d never really been out of the game as I was the Director of Football at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney when we won the Bill Turner Cup(u/15 State ) against 5 Sports High School in 2013.
Incredibly, we were the first independent school ever to win the competition.
I also started a striking school which was very successful.
R.S.
While you were at Sydney United, you were instrumental in creating a career path for Socceroo captain, Mile Jedinak.
Can you explain?
Z.A.
I’d like to think I had some input into Mile’s early development because people thought he was better playing as a central defender.
However, I could see he had this ability to read the game, matched with a great distribution rate.
Added to his outstanding tackle count, I believed he was the perfect holding midfielder and persevered with him in that position which reaped great benefits for the club.
The rest is history.
R.S.
Despite your long nine year experience playing in Belgium and France, you only represented Australia in one match against Moscow Torpedo.
Why didn’t you get further chances?
Z.A.
In the early nineties, Australia was playing mainly against club teams and after I’d played against Moscow Torpedo, I moved to Mechelen in Belgium.
Australia was still in Oceania and it would’ve been hard for me to get a release from my club.
Maybe, if I’d stayed in Australia I would’ve received further call ups but at least I did play in the Barcelona Olympics.
R.S.
While you were watching Australia play in the World Cup, you must have felt for Dimitri Petratos, Massimo Luongo and Jamie McLaren who got no playing time.
What are your thoughts about these glaring selections errors when you relate your experiences at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics?
Z.A.
Football is a tough game and it can be gut- wrenching.
In Barcelona, we were beaten by Ghana in the first match so we had to get a result against Mexico in the next match to stay in the tournament.
Fortunately, I scored the only and winning goal against Mexico in a 5-4-1 formation but only found out from a team-mate, four hours before the final group game against Denmark, that I hadn’t been selected.
I voiced my feelings to coach, Eddie Thomson, after the Denmark match and only got thirty minutes against Sweden in the quarter finals but due to the previous events, I didn’t perform to my best.
In the semi-final against Poland, I only came on as a substitute in the last ten minutes when we were trailing 6-1 and wasn’t selected for the third and fourth playoff match.
In the qualifying series, I had played the full match against Holland and was ready to attack the ball in the Dutch penalty area when Ned Zelic miscued his cross to score that memorable near post goal which qualified us for Barcelona.
I was in Thomson’s plans and he told me I was his number one striker but once we got to the Olympics, things changed.
I would not doubt Petratos, Luongo and McClaren wouldn’t have felt great while sitting on the bench and it’s hard to wish your team the best when you don’t have an opportunity to contribute on the park.
Luongo was the best Australian player against Colombia and played the full match in the big win against the Czech Republic, Petratos was one of our better performers in the 4-0 loss to Norway and surprisingly McClaren was lucky to make the final squad, despite his hat-trick for Hibs v Rangers.
Only the Australian coaching staff could explain these non- selections and they didn’t do a very good job of that after Australia’s elimination in Russia.
R.S.
What is wrong with our youth development when you consider Daniel Arzani is the only player of note to have emerged of late?
Z.A.
I believe the system is over structured and although the coaching is more professional, individual flare is stultified.
In my junior days, we were allowed to express ourselves after witnessing the talents of Peter Katholos, Alan Davidson, Jim Patikas, David Mitchell, David Lowe, Eddie Krncevic, Marshall Soper, and Rod Brown to mention a few.
I look at the standard of youth football today and I believe the true point of difference is, there’s not a large talent pool to enable transition to the senior game.
However, to be fair there are less chances available, whereas I made my first team appearance in the NSL at Canterbury when I was 16 years and 9 months.
I was part of the 1989 National Youth Team under Les Scheinflug which included John Markovski, George Slifkas, John Filan, Dominic Luongo, Ned Zelic and Mark Brazzale so it was a good production line and a number of the players graduated to play at the Olympics in Barcelona.
We all played NSL football at an early age but today the opportunities are less with only ten A- League clubs and the coaches only giving exceptional players a chance.
R.S.
What is your opinion of Hakoah as an NPL club, and who are the key players?
Z.A.
In my second season with them, I’m very impressed despite the limitations of a low budget.
Nevertheless, they operate perfectly within the parameters and this season the club has endorsed a policy of promoting youth to make us the youngest team in the NPL NSW Men’s with an average age of twenty two.
We’re trying to build a culture where players have a clear pathway from youth to first grade.
I’m a great supporter of Andre de Jong who at the age of twenty one carries a great weight on his shoulders, especially when he’s required to perform in multiple roles and still deliver.
Anthony Frangie was top scorer last season and recently scored three goals on the trot.
He has good technical and striking ability but needs more consistency which often relates to developing the mental side of the game.
Michael Kouta at left back, Oliver and Jack Green in the midfield and Mitchell Stamatellis who came from Sydney Olympic are players we rely on every week.
Unfortunately, injury to defender, Brad Walker, hasn’t helped our cause lately.
R.S.
You are now in second last position on the ladder.
How can you reverse this downward spiral?
Z.A.
During the season, we’ve lost points on five occasions in either extra time or late in the match so greater awareness and mental strength is required
Also, we need to control the pace of the game in the latter stages of matches.
R.S.
How do you rate the standard of the NPL NSW Men’s competition?
Z.A.
For a part time league where players train between 2-4 times a weeks, it’s a good standard.
However, there is a gap with the A-League due to the absence of high level broadcasting which denies a greater image for the League.
People in higher quarters of the game take an elitist stance and mock the NPL when they should be encouraging opportunity for young players to graduate to A-League ranks if they’re good enough.
It’s ironic that Mile Jedinak had to beg Central Coast Mariners for a trial.
Finally, if the League had bigger crowds and players were full time, the image and interest would rise rapidly.
-By Roger Sleeman for the Johnny Warren Football Foundation – https://jwff.com.au
Road to the 2018 TAFE NSW Waratah Cup Final
There is a reason why many believe there is a special type of magic to cup competitions.
Form, big name players and expectations can all be thrown out the window with a single bounce of the ball.
Sometimes It takes more than just being the best to win when everything is on the line.
Whether that is a lucky bounce or an unfortunate mistake from the opposition, knockout football can provide both heartbreak and jubilation.
This season’s finalists know very well all the highs and lows of the cup with their history adding extra spice to this already captivating matchup.
Twelve months on Hakoah Sydney City East and APIA Leichhardt Tigers return to Lambert Park for a rematch of epic proportions.
Underdogs Hakoah completed a historic fairytale in 2017 when they stunned APIA to secure a 3-1 victory to be crowned Waratah Cup champions and end the club’s long wait for silverware.
This time APIA won’t underestimate their opponents and will be more determined than ever to claim the title they last won in 2013.
The Tigers cruised to the finals scoring 25 goals in six games.
Billy McColl’s side opened their Waratah campaign in empathic style putting nine goals past NPL3 side Fraser Park in a 9-0 win before backing it up with a 4-0 in against Illawarra Premier League side Wollongong Olympic FC.
APIA were pushed by NPL 2 side St George FC but did enough to claim a 3-2 win to progress to the next round and a grudge match with National Premier Leagues NSW rivals Sydney Olympic.
McColl’s side were too good for the NPL NSW league leaders as they eased to a 3-0 win, but had a harder time in their next match as they delivered a second half fightback to snatch a 3-2 win against Rockdale City Suns.
A cup final berth was secured with relative ease as a Corey Bizco double helped APIA to a 3-0 win against Marconi in the Waratah Cup Semi-final.
Their opposition on Sunday returned this season as the reigning Waratah Cup champions.
Once the competition feel-good story, Hakoah has proven this season they are cup specialists.
The Eastern Suburbs based side has shown up their doubters this campaign with their strong form demonstrating last year’s fairytale run was not a fluke.
A 3-1 win against Canterbury Bankstown FC helped Hakoah off to a perfect start to their cup defence followed up with a 2-0 win against NPL NSW rivals Sutherland Sharks.
NPL 2 side Mounties Wanderers couldn’t stop the Gavin Rae coached side’s cup run as Hakoah claimed a 2-0 victory.
A comprehensive 4-0 win against Illawarra Premier League outfit Tarrawanna Blueys set up a Waratah Cup semi-final berth against Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
A three goal first half set the perfect platform for Hakoah against the White Eagles as Andre De Jong, Amaury Gauthier and Anthony Frangie all found the back of the net as the Eastern Suburbs qualified for their second straight Waratah Cup final with a 4-2 win.
Both sides have had relatively straightforward paths to reach the final but Sunday’s clash will be something new all together.
There will be plenty of feeling in this clash with the memory of last year’s final surely in the front of the minds of APIA and Hakoah.
Eyes will be firmly on same prize as history goes on the line at Lambert Park.
APIA results
9-1 v Fraser Park (H)
4-0 Wollongong Olympic FC (A)
3-2 St George FC (H)
3-0 Sydney Olympic (A)
3-2 Rockdale City Suns (A)
3-0 Marconi Stallions (A)
Hakoah Results
3-1 Canterbury Bankstown FC (A)
2-0 Sutherland Sharks (A)
2-0 Mounties Wanderers FC (H)
4-0 Tarrawanna Blueys SC (A)
4-2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles (A)
Probable Starting Line-Ups:
APIA Leichhardt Tigers: I Necevski, J Symons, N Millgate, C Biczo, H Fondyke, J Murray, S Symons, B Lundy, T Muata-Marlow, T Sekiya, A Ucchino
Hakoah Sydney City East: A Bouzanis, M Kouta, M Stamatellis, C Draper, H Jones, A Frangie, O Green, D Cox, J Combes, A Gauthier, T Noji
Tickets for the 2018 TAFE NSW Waratah Cup Final are available online please click here to purchase.