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Swibel: “It’s the routine I miss most about our beautiful game”

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Fresh from getting some memorable game time with Sydney FC’s A-League outfit recently, the Sky Blues’ NPL rising star Jordi Swibel has put his career on hold temporarily but has kept a level head amidst the current COVID-19 crisis hitting our shores.

Sydney FC’s NPL NSW golden boy who took out an Ultra Football Goal of the Week award recently, has pulled out all stops in ensuring he stays fit, healthy and raring to go when the league hopefully resumes.

“It’s been a strange time as footballers we’re used to a routine, so to have that completely taken away from all of us is a big shock to the system.

“At Sydney FC, we have been training all the way up until the announcement of the suspension of the A-League, so the self-isolation is quite new to me.

“I’m still training on my own and am studying full-time at University, so I’ve still got plenty to occupy myself with.”

Swibel was fortunate that prior to the suspension of Football, he was training regularly with the Sky Blues’ senior team that has kept him on his toes.

“I was fortunate with this as I was able to train with the A-League side before official lockdown kicked in.

“I’m missing it already!

“At the moment I’m still doing my own training sessions at home and at the park to keep fit.

“I’m doing lots of Uni work as I’ve got so much free time which is really a blessing in disguise.

“Other than that, I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix, reading some good books, and playing PlayStation.

“I’ve got some weights at home which I’ve been using to maintain some strength, there’s also a synthetic pitch right across the road from my house so I’ve been doing some ball work and fitness sessions there too.”

Swibel is a full-time footballer with club’s senior squad and that has kept the former Hakoah junior ticking over during this rough period.

“I’m fortunate enough to be full-time with the A-League squad so I don’t have to work another job outside of football which I know a lot of other NPL players do and I take my hat off to them.”

The 20-year-old who is only just starting his journey as a professional footballer but hopes that the message of staying home by the Government is sinking in to all as the quicker this is actioned, the quicker he and tens of thousands of footballers are able to grace the football pitches across the nation and globe.

Swibel also stressed the importance of keeping healthy, mentally especially, in getting through these tough stages.

“Firstly, I hope everyone is safe and healthy.

“These are unprecedented times and we’re not sure how long this is going to last for, we are all missing football immensely but as long as everyone sticks to the self-isolation rules and listens to the advice provided by the Government and health experts we will be back playing sooner rather than later.

“I’d also like to say that if anyone is struggling mentally during this time, whether that’s through stress, anxiety or depression please let someone know.

“There is no health without mental health so if you feel like you need to talk to someone during this time, don’t hesitate.

“It could be a family member, a friend, a coach, a teammate or anyone you feel comfortable talking to.”

Football at the Swibel household is quite simply life as Jordi states that its match days that he misses the most.

“I miss playing on the weekends.

“Simple as that.

“Nothing beats game day and I know everyone in the football community misses it too.”

The grind never stops for Sydney FC young gun Jordi Swibel as shown in self-isolation mode 

Mariners picked apart by ruthless Sky Blues

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Sydney FC made amends for last week’s loss in the National Premier Leagues NSW men’s season with a dominant 4-0 win over North Shore Mariners at Lambert Park on Sunday. 

Jimmy Van Weeren’s Sky Blues made up for their 4-0 loss to Marconi by venting their frustrations against North Shore, with Sydney dominating the majority of the match.

Sydney FC were firmly on top of proceedings when the opening goal came in the 14th minute. North Shore were lethargic once they cleared Sydney’s corner, giving Thomas Fay the time to whip in a slick ball to the back post onto the head of Patrick Flottman who made no mistake.

Jordan Swibel took some time to get into his groove but he flicked the switch when North Shore lost possession in midfield and spotted Ryan Wood off his line. The young attacker scored a David Beckham-esque long range goal from inside his own half on 35 minutes.

Very few chances were being created by Mariners with live-wire Panny Nikas struggling to get touches on the ball and Emmanuel Peters seeing most of his movement in his own half linking up play.

Sydney FC heaped more pressure onto their opponents when Jake Hollman skipped past North Shore’s midfield before a nice slide rule pass found Jayden Kucharski.

The winger cut in and placed a calm finish into the bottom corner on stoppage time to make it 3-0.

Luke Ivanovic’s withdrawal on 41 minutes caused concern for Sydney FC. He was replaced by Benjamin Koop.

Edward Caspers was replaced for the second half for North Shore, who played with a new lease of life. Substitute Daniel Saric’s introduction on the right-hand side was reaping dividends for Haywood.

Mitchell Smith came close with his attack onto the near post but his effort trickled wide.

Koop and Swibel had a number of chances squandered but the result was put beyond doubt when Hollman crossed for Swibel to comfortably head into the net to make it 4-0 with ten minutes remaining.

“We could have had easy five or six today,” said Van Weeren. “We obviously want more from youth players and we think they are capable of converting more chances.”

North Shore coach Joe Haywood was disappointed in Van Weeren’s post-match comments and said his team just didn’t come into the match with the right attitude.

“I think it’s disrespectful to say it could have been five or six,” said Haywood. “I think we had the better chance in the first half missed.

“Overall it was disappointing, i didn’t think we were organised and was disappointed with our shape. The team turned up with the wrong attitude today.”

North Shore Mariner’s undefeated start to the season is over while Sydney FC shoot ahead of their opponents into third place.

Match Stats

North Shore Mariners 0

Sydney FC 4 (Patrick Flottman 14’, Jordi Swibel 35’, 80’, Jaiden Kucharski 45’)

Sunday 15th March, 2020

Lambert Park, Leichhardt 

Referee: Michael Bailey

Assistant Referees: S. Edeling, A. Mosnani

Fourth Official: N. Ryan

North Shore Mariners: 1.Ryan Wood (GK), 7.Hugo Forlico (26. Daniel Olaniran 69’) 9.Braden Cheng, 11. Emmanuel Peters, 14.Jesse Piriz, 16.Daniel Dias (23.Damir Prodanovic 67’) 18.Mitchell Smith, 20. Eddie Lee, 21. Joel Tinker, 22. Edward Caspers (19.Daniel Saric 45’), 27. Panny Nikas, 30. Zac Sfiligoi, 32. Brian Jamba,

Substitutes Not Used: 21. Joel Tinker, 20. Eddie Lee

Yellow Cards: Zac Sfiligoi 25’, Dylan Dias 30’, Brian Jamba 86’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC Youth: 1. Adam Pavlesic (GK), 3. Aaron Gurd, 4. Anton Mlinaric, 5. Thomas Fay, 6. Calum Nieuwenhof, 7. Jake Hollman, 11. Jaiden Kucharski, (18. Cameron Peupion 75’), 13. Jordan Swibel, 14. Luke Ivanovic (9. Benjamin Koop 41’), 15. Scott Browning (8. Stevan Stanic-Floody 85’), 17. Callum Talbot, 19. Patrick Flottman, 20. Levi Kaye,

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Adam Pavlesic (GK), 3. Aaron Gurd,

Yellow Cards: Thomas Fay 49’, Jake Hollman 51’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Jake Hollman (SFC)

2 – Jordan Swibel (SFC)

1 – Thomas Fay (SFC)

Young Sky Blues blown away by rampaging Stallions

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Marconi Stallions have given Sydney FC an early reality check in a dominant 4-0 win at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

The Young Sky Blues claimed a brilliant upset last week against Mt Druitt Town Rangers, but they were no match for the experienced Stallions who have now made it two wins from as many games.

A brace by Anthony Frangie was bookended by goals from Anthony Costa and Nathan Millgate as Marconi sent a clear signal that they will be one of the teams to beat this season.

The Stallions have now scored eight goals from their opening two matches further cementing their place on top of the NPL NSW ladder.

Sydney FC were playing their first home game of the season but it didn’t stop Marconi from taking over the contest from the opening whistle.

In the 9th minute a long cross from Mitchell Mallia reached Frangie at the far post, but his header was knocked away by the Sydney FC defence for a corner.

Marconi were at it again in the 16th minute when Marko Jesic created some space down the left channel and fired a shot that took a slight deflection and ended up in the side netting.

A free kick from just outside the box by Mitchell Mallia midway through the first stanza of play was punched way by goalkeeper Adam Pavlesic as Marconi kept up the pressure on the young home side.

A header from Nathan Millgate then reached Anthony Costa in the 33rd minute who shot just over from a very dangerous position.

Late in the first half the Young Sky Blues had their first chance of the encounter. Jordi Swibel had a chance from close range but he shot just wide of the mark when a long drifting ball from the right found him lurking near the far post.

In 43rd minute though Marconi did take the lead that they so richly deserved. Anthony Costa put the visitors ahead when a deflected shot wrong-footed the Sydney FC goalkeeper and ended up in the back of the net from what appeared to be a near innocuous position.

Early in the second half the first real chance belonged to Sydney FC when Patrick Flottman headed a corner just over the intended target from close range.

Marconi’s second goal though was a real gift. A stray back pass from the young home side ended up in Frangie’s path who simply charged through open space before firing home and hitting the back of the net.

Sydney FC tried their luck when Patrick Hollman midway through the second half had a chance from just outside the box that just missed the Marconi goal.

Then, in the 68th minute, Frangie scored his brace. The Sydney FC goalkeeper’s throw out was intercepted and played to Frangie who curled one into the top left hand corner of the net. It was indeed a great goal for the Stallions.

In the 75th minute a corner by Jesic reached Nathan Millgate at the far post and he simply headed in Marconi’s fourth of the night to put the game well and truly beyond reach, if it wasn’t already.

Sydney FC did have some late chances. Patrick Wood’s cross from the right to Cameron Peupion saw the latter produce a rocket but Nenad Vekic beautifully turned the ball around the post. A minute later an unmarked Jaiden Kucharski shot just wide when really he should have found the back of the net.

The last real chance of the game though was fittingly to Marconi. A cross from the right was headed by Jesic straight into the post.

After the game the Marconi Stallions dressing room was a happy, singing place but coach Peter Tsekenis was still not getting carried away this early in the season.

“If you look at the results, 4-1 last week and then 4-0 today, it’s definitely a good place to be in,” he said.

“I am happy with a lot of things and at this early stage of the season I am happy with where we are at.

“I thought today that Sydney FC were exceptional in many areas and they really pushed us. To be honest they had a few chances but probably at the wrong time. “We took our chances at the right time but they pushed us and never let up.”

The Sydney FC dressing room wasn’t too despondent despite the result, a sentiment echoed by their coach Jim van Weeren.

“We created enough chances to score a few goals ourselves but we also made some mistakes, with the ball and without the ball,” he stated.

“A good team like Marconi will punish you everytime. I think the boys will feel that they should have done better in terms of the result, but at key times we made mistakes which cost us in the end.

“We pride ourselves on being a good attacking team and, like tonight, we created chances and in an ideal world we would have converted more.

“So now we’ll just keep our heads up and go again next week.”

Match Stats

SYDNEY FC:  0

MARCONI STALLIONS: 4 (Costa 43’, Frangie 61’, 68’, Millgate 75’)

Sunday, 8th March 2020

Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale

Referee: Toby Plasto
Assistant Referees: Joon Park, Ray Osborne

Fourth Official: Jared Katz

SYDNEY FC: 1.Adam Pavlesic, 4.Anton Mlinaric, 5.Thomas Fay, 6.Calem Nieuwenhof, 7.Jake Hollman (24.Patrick Wood 73’), 9.Benjamin Koop (11.Jaiden Kucharski 55’), 13.Jordi Swibel, 14.Patrick Flottman (3.Aaron Gurd 68’), 15.Scott Browning, 17.Callum Talbot, 18.Cameron Peupion.

Substitutes not used: 2.Cameron Fong, 20.Levi Kaye.

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Card: Nil

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1.Nenad Vekic, 2.Nathan Millgate, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 4.Roberto Speranza, 8.Connor Evans, 9.Anthony Costa (23.Brandon Vella 57’), 10.Marko Jesic, 11.Mitchell Mallia, 14.Anthony Frangie, 16.Liam Youlley (6.Mark Rodic 46’), 19.Zachary Cairncross (12.James Andrew 76’).

Substitutes not used: 17.Martin Fernandez, 20.Dion Shaw.

Yellow Cards: Youlley 19’, Cairncross 53’, Evans 90’

Red Card: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Anthony Frangie (MS)

2 – Nathan Millgate (MS)

1 – Marko Jesic (MS)

By National Prmier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo

Rangers stunned by young Sky Blues stars

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Sydney FC has opened the season in emphatic style stunning Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2-1 at Popondetta Park on Sunday

The young Sky Blues blasted into the lead after a two goal salvo from Jordan Swibel and Cameron Peupion inside the first nine minutes.

Sydney FC were able to hold on despite a late Rangers penalty to kick their campaign off with three points.

It was a frustrated first half from Mount Druitt, the home side rallied in the second half and created chances through Mirjam Pavlovic and Toufic Alameddine.

The latter got on the scoresheet late with a well-taken penalty for some consolation.

Fresh from their National Youth League success, Sydney FC were quick off the mark in the heated conditions.

Swibel rattled the crossbar in the third minute from a free-kick. The Sky Blues were rewarded for their bright opener.

Swibel was in among the action again. From a free-kick, the young striker took advantage of a lazy defence and struck low into the bottom corner to give Sydney a 1-0 lead.

The Sky Blues doubled their lead moments later. Peupion combined well with Benjamin Koop who made a cutting run down the right channel before cutting back for Peupion to tap home.

Sydney FC continued to pile up the chances. Swibel blasted wide then after minutes later strong work from Callum Nieuwenhof found Swibel who struck the post.

Mount Druitt worked their way into the contest through Alameddine and Pavlovic. Alameddine had a pair of shots which flew over the bar.

The closest Mount Druitt got was a late Travis Oughtred header which Sky Blues custodian Thomas Heward-Belle saved down low. Sydney FC held their two-goal advantage into the break.

Sydney FC tried to start the second half much like the first. Swibel tried his luck from a free-kick again, struck it low but Rangers shot stopper Carlos Saliadarre was equal to the chance.

Next Peupion kept up his strong game with a pair of efforts as he combined with Jaiden Kucharski before bending wide then another shot high into the stands.

Sensing they need to find a route back into the contest, the Rangers turned to their experienced men. Alameddine, Pavlovic and new signing Daniel Fogarty all had chances to claw a goal back but were denied.

Finishing the stronger, Oughtred flicked a John Roberts free-kick onto the bar quickly followed by Alex Boyadjian who dug out two chances but Sky Blues custodian Heward-Belle was equal to the task.

There was some late drama as Sydney FC were judged to handle the ball in the area. Alameddine stepped up for Mount Druitt, blasted home a penalty to make it 2-1. Despite the goal, Sydney FC held on for a valuable three points.

Speaking after the victory, Sydney FC coach Jim van Weeren was delighted with the showing from his young side as they aim to set themselves a high bar for the upcoming season.

“The boys showed today that we can create plenty of chances. We could’ve put the game away earlier.

“Some of our focus this year has been on closing out games after throwing away games last season, happy for the boys to do that.

“It’s a good start. We have high hopes for this group, I think it’s one with huge potential and could go far this season.

“Jordi Swibel was a beast today, involved every time we went forward and got a goal as reward.”

Match Stats

Mount Druitt Town Rangers 1 (Alameddine ‘92)

Sydney FC 2 (Swibel ‘7, Peupion ‘9)

Sunday March 1 2020

Popondetta Park, Emerton

Referee: C. Fisher

Assistant Referees: P. Teleki & J. Bell

Fourth Official: J. Rose

Mount Druitt Town Rangers: 1. SALIADARRE Carlos, 3. OUGHTRED Travis, 6. THOMPSON Blake, 7. CLIFFORD Luke, 8. POLJAK Matteo (4. GOULD ‘76), 10. ROBERTS John, 11. ALAMEDDINE Toufic, 12. GITTANY Thomas (17. COSKERIE ‘64), 13. DARKOH Lord, 21. PAVLOVIC Mirjan (9. BOYADJIAN ‘76), 77. FOGARTY Daniel

Unused substitutes: 2. MAMONE Jake, 20. FANELLA Robert

Yellow cards: Darkoh, Boyadijan

Red cards: nil

Sydney FC: 1. HEWARD-BELLE Thomas, 4. MLINARIC Anton, 5. FAY Thomas, 6. NIEUWENHOF Callum, 9. KOOP Benjamin, 11. KUCHARSKI Jaiden, 13. SWIBEL Jordan, 14. FLOTTMAN Patrick (3. GURD ‘62), 15. BROWNING Scott (19. TRENTKOSKI ‘72(24. WOOD ‘85)), 17. TALBOT Callum, 18. PEUPION Cameron

Unused substitutes: 16. SUNMOLA Olayinka, 20. KAYE Levi

Yellow cards: nil

Red cards: nil

Player Ratings:

3: Jordan Swibel (SFC)

2: Cameron Peupion (SFC)

1: Toufic Alameddine (MDTR)

By National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)

Young Sky Blues ready to pounce

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Up and coming Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeren understands the important role he has in steering the future stars of the Sky Blues to hopeful A-League contracts as he prepares for a huge 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season with his young brigade of talented players.

Van Weeren has managed to retain a number of his 2019 players with the likes of experienced NPL NSW Men’s youngsters Jordi Swibel, Benjamin Koop, Jaiden Kucharski, Marco Tilio, Ryan Teague, Thomas Fay and Callum Talbot all agreeing to terms with the club.

The club has promoted a number of their 20s and 18s players to its senior NPL squad in line with further developing their careers playing against senior NPL NSW Men’s opposition.

Under 20 players Jake Hollman, Calem Nieuwenhof, Aaron Gurd, Fletcher McFarlane, Scott Browning, Thomas Main, Adam Pavlesic and Levi Kaye have all earned themselves deals as have young under 18 players Cameron Peupion, Anton Mlinaric, Cameron Fong, Jayden Trenkoski.

Yinka Sunmola is the only fresh-faced youngster that has been recruited by Van Weeren outside of the club with the Sky Blues facing Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Popondetta Park on Sunday 1st of March (2pm) for their round 1 NPL NSW Men’s opener.

Sydney FC 2020: Yinka Sunmola, Jordi Swibel, Benjamin Koop, Jaiden Kucharski, Marco Tilio, Ryan Teague, Thomas Fay, Callum Talbot, Jake Hollman, Calem Nieuwenhof, Aaron Gurd, Fletcher McFarlane, Scott Browning, Thomas Main, Adam Pavlesic, Levi Kaye, Cameron Peupion, Anton Mlinaric, Cameron Fong, Jayden Trenkoski