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Suns set big targets for 2020 NPL NSW Men’s season

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New Rockdale City Suns coach Steven Zoric is hoping his senior coaching debut in the 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season will see his side take part in finals football as well as engage in some much-needed silverware at the proud club.

Assisting Zoric, who was in charge of the club’s 18’s and 20’s Suns squad in previous seasons, will be former Australian youth international Jane Talcevski with the pair given the task of guiding the club once again to the heights of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Thus far, the Suns have made a couple of new signings with two Japanese imports on the books, former Corrimal Rangers defender Banri Kanaizumi signing on with the club as well as Tomoki Wada while former Marconi Stallions player James Baldacchino and keeper Tomislav Arcaba have agreed to terms with the club.

Former Hakoah Sydney City East striker Amaury Gauthier has also made the move as has young gun Mark Moric, ex-Bonnyrigg White Eagles player Hassan Jalloh and former APIA Leichhardt Tigers player Sam Gulisano.

Zoric has managed to snare a fair few 2019 players with the likes of Jordan Figon, Brayden Sorge, Nikola Taneski, Alec Urosevski, Matthew Lecce, Patrick Savor, Jake Trajkovski, Idriss El Hafiane, Michael Neill, David Bradasevic and club captain Daniel Petkovski all staying put with the club for the new year.

The Suns will be kicking off its 2019 NPL NSW Men’s campaign when they entertain Manly United at their spiritual home, Ilinden Sports Centre, on Sunday 1st of March at 4:30pm.

Rockdale City Suns 2020: Banri Kanaizumi, James Baldacchino, Tomislav Arcaba, Jordan Figon, Brayden Sorge, Nikola Taneski, Alec Urosevski, Matthew Lecce, Patrick Savor, Jake Trajkovski, Idriss El Hafiane, Michael Neill, David Bradasevic, Daniel Petkovski, Amaury Gauthier, Mark Moric, Hassan Jalloh, Tomoki Wada, Sam Gulisano.

Sharks too clinical for Suns in derby clash

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Sutherland Sharks have finished the season with Derby honours after claiming the Leader Cup with a 5-2 win against rivals Rockdale City Suns.

It was a second big win in as many weeks for the Sharks but it proved too little too late with the side missing out on finals football with an eighth place finish.

For Rockdale the loss was a final nail in the coffin in what has been a horror second half of the season.

Jordan Morfitis opened the scoring for the visitors while Jerry Skotaadis also found the back of the net to give Sutherland a 2-0 lead at the interval.

It was more of the same in the second half with Lokolingoy claiming a goal while Bai Antoniou also claiming a brace.

Alec Urosevski fired in two gaols in the dying stages of the match but they proved to be mere consolation goals.

It was an expansive star to the match with both sides not holding back in the opening exchanges.

Sutherland had the best of the early possession and pounced on a Rockdale error to take a 1-0 lead after only eight minutes.

Suns defender Nick Petrillo paid the price for a poor touch with Lokolingoy pouncing on the Rockdale last man before firing his shot into the woodwork with Morfitis on hand to tap in the rebound.

Gale force winds made play difficult but it didn’t stop both Rockdale and Sutherland from trying their best to keep to their attacking style.

Antoniou was proving dangerous on the left wing for Sutherland with his pace and dribbling creating chance after chance.

However, it was Skotaadis who would be the man to double the Sharks lead.

The central midfield received the ball 30 yards from goal and drove into space before unleashing a rocket of a shot which sailed into the back of the net.

Sutherland took the 2-0 lead into the break and was in control of the contest after a solid first 45 minutes.

It was more of the same from the visitors after the restart and it took them only five minutes for Antoniou to make it 3-0.

Lokolingoy beat his marker on the right wing before firing the ball into Antoniou who turned his man with a skilful pirouette and smashed the ball past the keeper.

Rockdale tried to fight their way back into the contest but lacked the clinical passing required to break down the Sharks defence.

71 minutes in Lokolingoy heaped even more woe on the home side as he scored Sutherland’s fourth of the match.

The burly striker found space and accelerated past two defenders before skilfully side-footing the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Urosevski finally found a breakthrough for Rockdale in the 78th minute when he headed home from close range.

The Suns’ star  then went on to net his tenth goal of the season only three minutes late to cut the deficit to 4-2.

A loose touch from Mateo Poljak proved costly with the Suns quickly pinching the ball before it was delivered to an unmarked Urosevski to score from inside the penalty area.

With the match seemingly all but settled, Bai Antoniou would strike again to claim his second of the match.

The young winger rising high over his marker to nod home a Sutherland set-piece to stretch his team’s lead to 5-2.

The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for both sides with Sutherland finishing their season in style and Rockdale going out with whimper.

Match Stats

Rockdale City Suns: 2 (Urosevski 77’, 81’)

Sutherland Sharks: 5 (Morfitis 8’, Skotadis 42’, Antoniou 50’ 85’, Lokolingoy 72’)

Sunday, 11 August 2019

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Referee: H Jomaa

Assistant Referee: B Wright & M Allum

Fourth official: S Kelly

Rockdale City Suns: David Bradasevic, Patrick Savor, Leigh Egger, Nick Petrillo, Jake Trajkovski, Sasa Macura, Idris El Hafiane, Jonathan Grozdanovski, Jordan Figon, Panny Nikas, Alec Urosevski

Substitutes: Nikola Taneski, Trent McClenenhan, Aleks Canak, Max Rowston

Sutherland Sharks: Anthony Bouzanis, Blair Brown, Quentin Cheng, Harry Sutherland  Patrick O’Shea, Mateo Poljak, Jerry SKotadis, Raul Beneit, Charles Lokolingoy, Bai Antoniou, Jordan Morfitis

Substitutes: Mitchell Evans, Brodie Clarkson, Alexander Lopez,

Player Ratings have now been hidden due to the second half of the season commencing.

 

Wolves officially crowned NPL NSW Men’s Premiers

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Wollongong Wolves have officially been been crowned 2019 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiers after wrapping up the title with a narrow 2-1 win against Rockdale City Suns at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The win ended a 32 year Premiership drought for the club and was their first league honour since they took out the 2008 Championship.

Wollongong were determined to secure their place in history from the opening kickoff and took the lead only 17 minutes into proceedings thanks to a thunderous volley from defender Nick Littler.

Star striker Thomas James gave the visitors a 2-0 lead on the cusp of half-time leaving Rockdale all to do if they were to make a stunning upset.

The Suns attempted a gallant fight back when Jonathan Grozdanovski halved the deficit in the 63rd minute but it would prove too little too late as Wollongong clung on for victory and the Premiership.

The match was dominated by the home side in the opening exchanges as

Alec Urosevski fashioned the first opportunity in the second minute when he fired straight at Wolves’ ‘keeper Justin Pasfield.

Indeed it wasn’t until the 17th minute that Wollongong hit the target for the first time when a stupendous hal-volley via Littler cannoned into the back of the net to give the Wolves a 1-0 lead.

Rockdale upped the tempo after conceeding and nearly equalised when Grozdanovski was denied by a great Pasfield save.

Wollongong’s James worked an opening in the 35th minute that was helped over the bar and from the corner Guy Knight sent a fizzer narrowly wide of the upright with the visitors turning up the pressure on the hosts for the first time in the match.

Suns skipper Daniel Petkovski cost his side a penalty in first-half stoppage time when he took down james in the penalty area.

Wollongong’s leading scorer picked himself up to plant the ball with some venom past David Bradasevic to give Wollongong a 2-0 lead at the break.

After the interval Mick Neill almost claimed one back for Rockdale when he fired across the face of goal after a cruel deflection.

Littler nearly had a brace when he forced another magnificent save out of Suns glove man David Bradasevic

Grozdanovski gave Rockdale hope in the 63rd minute when he cooly headed home to cut the deficit to only 2-1.

It was backs to the wall stuff for Wollongong in the late stages of the match as nerves jangled but they battled through the difficulties posed by the gallant Rockdale side.

Despite the Suns’ determination, they were unable to find an equaliser with the final whistle confirming Wollongong’s title win.

Wollongong Wolves coach Luke Wilkshire was jubilant after the win praising the resilience of his team to secure the hard fought win.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy game against a side that’s fighting for a final’s spot,” he said.

“We knew the situation but I think we’ve defended fantastically, as we have all season, and we’ve got the rewards for that effort.

“We had some players playing their first full 90 minutes of the season and some younger guys who’ve got some time on the pitch and obviously we’re happy to have wrapped things up officially.

“At the end of the day we just want to win and that goes throughout the team but we won’t sit back and feel the job is done yet as we have a lot more we want to achieve.

“We’re a group of winners and we want to do the same next week and beyond.

“It’s a habit and we want that to continue but credit Rockdale today. It was a tough game and they put us under pressure but we’ve come through and taken the points so very pleased with the effort.

Rockdale’s Jake Trajkovski rued the match as another opportunity lost for the Suns

“I felt we had the better of the chances,” he said.

“We trained very well throughout the week and perhaps on another day we would have come away with the three points.”

“Congratulations to Wollongong, they thoroughly deserve it for the season they’ve had and after a performance like that, they are a champion side.

“Even when they’ve been put under the pump they come away with the points and they’ve done that again against us tonight.

“We had our chances again but at the end of the day they’ve taken two against our one and that’s how football goes sometimes.”

Match Stats

Rockdale City Suns 1 (Grozdanovski 63’)

Wollongong Wolves 2 (Littler 17’, James 45+1 pen’)

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Sunday 4th August 2019

Referee: Lachlan Keevers (Vic)

Asst. Refs: Scott Edeling & Greg Taylor (ACT)

4th Official: Cameron Wright

Rockdale City Suns: 1.David Bradasevic, 2.Daniel Petkovski, 3.Mick Neill, 5.Jake Trajkovski (8.Alex Canak 85’), 7.Alec Urosevski, 9.Jonathan Grozdanovski (23.Jordan Nikolovski 82’), 10.Nikola Taneski (45.Jordan Figon 59’), 11.Leigh Egger, 12.Idris El Hafiane, 19.Patrick Savor, 23.Panni Nikas

Subs not used: 15.Nick Petrillo, 18.Sasa Macura, 22.Max Rowston

Yellow Cards: Petkovski 47’, Neill 89’

Red Cards:

Wollongong Wolves: 1.Justin Pasfield, 2.Taylor McDonald, 4.Nikola Djordjevic, 6.Ben Tosi, 7.Chris Price, 9.Thomas James, 10.Brendan Griffin, 11.Takeru Okada, 15.Nick Littler, 16.Guy Knight (8.Bul Juach 78’), 17.James Stojcevski (20.Brandon Stojcevski 62’)

Subs not used: 12.Luke Karies, 13.Stefan Dimoski

Yellow Cards: Knight 69’

Red Cards:

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Micky Brock

 

Nikas returns to lead Suns’ finals charge

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It has been an up and down campaign for Panny Nikas and the Rockdale City Suns, but with two rounds to play they are still within striking distance of the National Premier Leagues NSW Finals Series.

Nikas, who has been one of the NPL’s standout performers for some time now, made a well-publicised shift from Sydney United 58 to the Suns prior to the campaign.

But 2019 has been far from straightforward for Rockdale, who after a slow start to the season parted ways with manager Paul Reid.

They then embarked on a hot streak which catapulted them up to second, before another form slump has seen them drop to eighth, with just an outside shot at making the competition’s top five.

Nikas himself has endured a rocky run with injuries this campaign, being restricted to only ­­eight appearances for his new club, during which he has registered two goals.

While he remains on the road to full fitness, the dynamic midfielder is enjoying his new surroundings.

“I had severe bone bruising to my metatarsal that put me out for a prolonged period and I also did my MCL on my other knee which was similar to what I’d done last year,” the 31-year-old recalled.

“So I’m not yet back to 100% fitness but I’ve been working well to get close to around 70-80% at the moment.

“It’s been an up and down year, as you can see, but I think when I’ve played, both in the Cup and on the weekend in NPL fixtures, I’ve contributed and done my best.

“In terms of the playing group I’ve made some good friends on and off the field, so it’s been an enjoyable year off the park.

“On the park, it’s been inconsistent.”

Sunday afternoon saw the Suns claim their first scalp in six outings at Cromer Park with a clinical 2-0 triumph over Manly United.

Nikas, who returned from a two-month absence with a goal against Blacktown City a week earlier, was pleased with the outcome.

“It was a good result and I think it was one of our better performances as a collective unit,” he reflected.

“Especially going away to Manly which is always a tough game.

“We’ve been working hard for a couple of weeks with the introduction of our new coach, so I think everything showed during that game.”

Despite Rockdale’s overall lack of rhythm, their victory at Cromer has them sitting just three points astray of fifth-placed Marconi heading into the penultimate round of the season.

However with the Suns boasting an undesirable goal difference tally, and both Sydney Olympic and Manly sitting equal with them on 26 points, it is likely that no less than six more points will do if they wish to have a shot at participating in the finals.

The first outfit standing in their way are the Premiership-chasing Wollongong Wolves.

Prior to last weekend, the Suns were the only side to have kept Wollongong’s firing attack scoreless, in their 1-0 triumph back in Round 10.

And after Luke Wilkshire’s men suffered a rare defeat at the hands of Blacktown, all of a sudden Rockdale have all the momentum heading into this must-win fixture.

Last weekend’s confidence-boosting result has left Nikas upbeat about Rockdale’s potential to spoil the Wolves’ party yet again.

While the prospect of scraping into the top five is something the Suns squad have not yet given up on, the creative midfielder is well aware his side will need to be back at their best if this is to occur.

“It’s realistic because it’s possible,” Nikas declared.

“We’re just focusing on ourselves.

“We’ve been one of the few teams to beat Wollongong, so that’s a positive from our end and I think they’ll face a different Rockdale this week.

“I’m sure they’ll be ready for the fixture as we will be, whoever produces the goods on Sunday will hopefully get the victory.

“As long as I’m doing my job while trying to be a leader on the pitch for the rest of the boys, I’m pretty sure that’ll be a positive contribution.”

Rockdale lock horns with Wollongong at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon, before hosting the Sutherland Sharks on the final day of the season.

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)

Suns keep finals series ambitions alive with win at Manly

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Rockdale City Suns snapped their five-game losing streak with a clinical 2-0 victory over fellow finals hopefuls Manly United at Cromer Park on Sunday afternoon. 

In what was a fiery, high-stakes affair from the outset, both sides forged their fair share of opportunities during a scoreless first period.

After the interval, deadly strikes from Jonathan Grozdanovski and substitute Aleksander Canak were enough for the visitors to overcome a wasteful Manly outfit.

The result inflicted a dent within Manly’s finals hopes, whilst concurrently launching the Suns right back into contention as they join Paul Dee’s men on 26 points.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that Suns striker Nikola Taneski was eager to come back to haunt his former side.

The attacker, who made the switch from Cromer to Illinden just a few weeks ago, almost registered the opener just two minutes in as his glanced header drifted narrowly wide.

Taneski was faced with another clear sight on goal after 12 minutes, but his close-range effort was weak and unable to escape the grasp of Manly custodian Dylan Mitchell.

Manly, who on Wednesday night became the first National Premier Leagues NSW side to secure passage into the FFA Cup Round of 16, then began to establish a foothold in the contest.

Charles Mendy, who converted the decisive penalty at Popondetta Park, looked to play an instrumental role yet again as he rifled a left-footed effort marginally high and wide in the 17th minute.

He came even closer four minutes later, as Adam Parkhouse found space down the left flank and delivered a precise low cross that Mendy flashed wide with the goal at his mercy.

In a high-tempo first period, the tide swayed back towards the visitors in its closing stages.

Rockdale believed that they should have been awarded a penalty after 35 minutes, yet continued to push forward to create their best chance of the match moments before the break.

Taneski was involved yet again, as he weaved his way down the right wing with some superb trickery and floated a ball directly into the path of an onrushing Urosevski.

However the winger’s volley was denied by a trademark Dylan Mitchell stop down low to his right, ensuring both teams would head into the sheds with it all still to play for.

It was Manly who sprung out of the blocks in the second half, with their dangerman Mendy continuing to cause some concerns within the Rockdale back four.

After harnessing his pace and skill to shake off his marker, the former Marconi and Blacktown man unleashed a powerful low effort that evaded both the back post and an outstretched Dejan Pandurevic by inches.

Moments later, Manly were made to pay for their carelessness in front of goal.

Fifty-one minutes in, Taneski led a rapid counter-attack by feeding the ball into the path of a flying Jonathan Grozdanovski.

The Suns’ number nine did the rest, driving into the Manly penalty area and lifting the ball over Mitchell, who despite getting a hand to it, could not deny Rockdale the opening goal of the afternoon.

The chances then began to dry up for both sides as the visitors professionally consolidated their advantage.

Manly, who appeared to be feeling the effects of their tough 120-minute battle midweek, saw their best chance at snatching an equaliser arrive in the 68th minute.

Mendy found himself in behind yet again, this time electing to cut the ball back in the direction of Pandurevic who blazed it over the bar.

Then as the hosts began to throw caution to the wind in pursuit of the elusive equaliser, Rockdale sealed the deal a minute into stoppage time.

Alec Urosevski danced his way inside from the right edge, eventually squaring the ball to Aleksander Canak who made no mistake with an emphatic first-time finish.

For Idris El Hafiane, the impressive result was a long time coming.

“We deserved that, throughout last few weeks we should probably have had a win,” the Rockdale skipper reflected.

“There’s been a bit of a change in training, we’ve definitely upped the intensity and I think it showed out on the pitch.

“We kept the ball well and that was our game plan.

“We problem solved well out on the field and adapted to their playing of the ball over the top.

“Once we adapted to that they didn’t really have too many options.

“It was a vital victory.”

El Hafiane is fancying his side’s chances against ladder leaders Wollongong Wolves next weekend as Rockdale look to mount a last-ditch attempt at securing a top five spot.

“I’m confident and positive every week,” he said.

“I think we should give Wollongong a very good test.

“They’re still hurting from last round and their game plan doesn’t really work too well against us; we’re they’re kryptonite!

“We’ll be taking this result into next week and beyond.”

On the other hand, Brendan Cholakian lamented the impact of Wednesday night’s contest whilst remaining optimistic that his side have what it takes to turn their fortunes around.

“Obviously a lot of us were pretty fatigued after 120 minutes on Wednesday but that’s not really an excuse,” Manly’s number ten reflected.

“We should be up for these types of games because they’re the ones with potential to get us into the finals and knock other teams like Rockdale out, but we just weren’t at the races today.

“Up until today we’ve been playing some really good football.

“I’m not sure if it was the fatigue, or just poor decision making on the ball.

“We had a couple of chances that if they had of gone in, we would have come away with the win.

“We just have to get back into training on Monday to recover and bounce back.”

Sitting in seventh and eighth spot, three points astray of fifth placed Marconi, it is likely that both outfits must win their final two matches whilst relying on other results if they are to experience finals football.

Manly host APIA Leichhardt next Sunday before travelling to Sydney United on the final day of the season, whilst Rockdale have two home fixtures against the Wollongong Wolves and Sutherland Sharks to look forward to.

Match Stats

Manly United FC 0

Rockdale City Suns FC 2 (Grozdanovski 51’, Canak 90+1’)

Sunday 28th July, 2019

Cromer Park, Dee Why 

Referee: S. Hooper (England PGMOL Referee)

Assistant Referees: S. Edeling, R. Osborne

Fourth Official: S. Andrews

Manly United: 1. Dylan Mitchell, 4. Travis Oughtred. 5. Sam Gallagher, 7. Sam Wilson, 8. Dominic Ferguson (6. Joseph Fox 70’), 10. Brendan Cholakian, 11. Adam Parkhouse (31. Max Rogers 74’), 12. Charles Mendy, 14. Dejan Pandurevic, 17. Lewis Miccio, 23. Bradley McDonald

Substitutes not used: 3. James Georgaklis, 32. Mackenzie Syron, 26. Lachlan McGrath

Yellow Cards: Dominic Ferguson 43’, Sam Gallagher 90+2’

Red Cards: Nil

Rockdale City Suns: 1. David Bradasevic, 3. Michael Neill, 5. Jake Trajkovski, 7. Alec Urosevski, 9. Jonathan Grozdanovski (45. Jordan Figon 66’), 10. Nikola Taneski (8. Aleksander Canak 77’), 11. Leigh Egger, 12. Idris El Hafiane, 15. Nick Petrillo, 19. Patrick Savor (18. Sasa Macura 89’), 23. Panni Nikas

Substitutes not used: 22. Max Rowston, 21. Blake Currey, 16. Alek Malfara

Yellow Cards: Nikola Taneski 70’, Jake Trajkovski 90+2’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings have now been hidden due to the second half of the season commencing.

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Reporter Chris Curulli (Twitter handle @ChrisCurulli)