Kicking the season off with a bang, Round One of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s is confirmed to be live streamed.
Sydney FC open their campaign at home to Rockdale City Suns and fans of both teams will be able to enjoy the fixture live on their screens, free of charge.
Following Round One, the fifth round clash between Sydney United 58 FC and Bonnyrigg White Eagles will be streamed, with further games to be unveiled as the season progresses.
The push towards increasing broadcast content is acknowledgement of the huge interest in the competition both in New South Wales, interstate and overseas.
Coupled with the brand new NPL Live Show, airing Thursdays 6pm on the NPL New South Wales Facebook page, this marks a new era in the coverage of the competition in our state.
The PlayStation 4 NPL NSW forms an important part of the football landscape in Australia and as such the demand for regular live streaming of the competition matches is high.
Football NSW is in the process of seeking a broadcast partner for the PlayStation 4 NPL NSW and is currently speaking with interested parties on how this can be achieved to ensure maximum benefit to football.
In addition, this season Football NSW has given clubs the opportunity to apply for permission to broadcast their own home games and looks forward to the great initiative shown by clubs in this space.
Newly promoted Sydney FC will be out to upset their more favoured opponents, especially considering captain/coach of Rockdale City Suns Paul Reid is also a staff member on the Sydney FC community team.
Tune in on the NPL New South Wales Facebook page to watch Sydney FC vs Rockdale City Suns, 7:45pm Saturday 11th March:
fb.com/nplnsw
Sydney FC ready to give the big league a shake-up
The Hyundai A-League side’s best young stars are the new team on the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s block and they arrive with a big target on their back.
While player development is the primary focus for coach Robbie Stanton’s youth side, the fact they carry the Sydney FC name will have the other 11 PS4 NPL NSW teams desperate to put them in their place.
Despite a dominant PS4 NPL 2 NSW Men’s season in 2016, Sydney FC’s young stars will need to take their game to another level.
The Coach
Not many coaches know the PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition like Sydney FC coach Robbie Stanton.
The Sky Blues boss will lean on more than six years of experience coaching in the state league top flight which included an extremely successful stint as Sutherland Sharks coach.
Stanton knows how to win at this level and will help his young squad match up with the competition’s best.
Objectives
While the priorities might be a little different for Sydney FC than the rest of the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s league, it doesn’t mean Stanton’s side won’t be playing to win.
Youth development and preparing players for a potential jump to the Hyundai A-League team is of primary importance for Stanton and as a result expect plenty of players to get game time throughout the season.
Take for instance the recent inclusion into Graham Arnold’s high flying Sky Blues senior squad who only recently announced the signing of young gun striker Charles Lokolingoy.
Despite this, Sydney FC dominated the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 2 competition last season and were narrow losers in this year’s National Youth League grand final.
The team has the taste for victory and they will be out to extend their winning form.
Player To Watch
Chris Zuvela – Zuvela took the captain’s armband for Sydney FC Youth this season and has gone from strength to strength in his preferred holding midfield role.
Zuvela is the fulcrum from which Sydney FC operate and his influence has played a big role in his side’s success.
National representative honours with the Australia Under-19 team has seen Zuvela, a former Sydney United 58 junior, take his game to another level and his growth will only continue in the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s competition.
Rising Star
Will Mutch – Sydney FC’s most experienced player at PS4 NPL NSW Men’s level despite being only 19 years-old.
Mutch broke through at Blacktown Spartans in 2015 and, after a gallant performance in a struggling Spartans side last season, has moved on to the Sky Blues to further his career.
Originally a wing-back with electrifying pace, Mutch has since been converted to a striker. A dangerous player when in-form and will help his team mates adapt to playing in the PS4 NPL NSW Mens competition.
Coaches Comments
“This year will be another step in quality for the players and will put them up against tougher competition than they’ve faced in recent years. The PS4 NPL NSW Mens 2 was a good starting point but this time we need to be better in all areas. I’m confident we have what it takes to be competitive.” – Robbie Stanton
Ins
Andrea Agamemnonos
Sam McIllhatton
John Iredale
Will Mutch
Matt Green
Outs
Yianni Spyrakis
Max Burgess
Daniel Araujo
Macdonald cannot wait for Sydney FC match-up
Josh Macdonald picked a good time to return home to Wollongong.
The former Nottingham Forest youth player and former Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder is back in familiar surroundings as he looks to relaunch his professional career and the Westfield FFA Cup has afforded him a priceless opportunity to showcase his talents on a national stage.
And it is an opportunity that will not be lost on the Wolves – and indeed the greater city of Wollongong – either.
Sydney FC are one of the biggest clubs in Australia’s new age of professional football.
Since the inception of the A-League, Sydney have won the competition twice, putting them on level pegging with the Wolves – who now ply their trade in the PS4 National Premier Leagues New South Wales Men’s competition – in terms of national titles.
In the old National Soccer League, the Wolves enjoyed a golden run as they won back-to-back national titles in the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons, and now they are determined to prove that they deserve to be back on the national agenda.
“I’ve only been back for about six weeks, but it’s been good. I’m enjoying it to be honest,” Macdonald said.
“It’s a massive honour to have such a massive club as Sydney come to Wollongong for a competitive game.
“It’s good for us as a city as we push for an A-League club. There are so many passionate football people down here, I’m guessing the whole nation will be surprised by how many people turn up to WIN Stadium for the game.”
Thus far, the league season has been one to forget for Wollongong.
The Wolves sit second bottom on the table with just 13 points from 19 games thus far this season.
Injuries have hit the club hard all campaign, but Macdonald is hoping he and his battle-hardened Wolves team-mates will be able to take the scalp of a new-look Sydney FC still early in its pre-season.
“They have a whole new team and they lost to Macarthur [Rams] 1-0 [in a friendly] which is good for us,” Macdonald said.
“I think everyone on our side just needs to turn up. Once they get out there and realise who they’re playing, I think the adrenaline will kick in.”
Match Details
Wednesday 10th August
Wollongong Wolves v Sydney FC
WIN Stadium, Wollongong, NSW
#WOLvSYD
Sydney FC clip White Eagles wings
Sydney FC striker Corey Gameiro fired a brace while youngster Max Burgess scored his first goal for the club as the Sky Blues defeated IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 side Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3-2 in front of 2,190 fans at Leichhardt Oval.
Gameiro’s goals, both in the second half, takes his tally to six in four pre-season games and gives Graham Arnold his third win as Sydney FC boss.
It was a win the Sky Blues deserved despite having ten first team players unavailable and twice coming from behind.
“It was another good workout for us and we are making good progress,” said Arnold
“It was good to win but the most important thing for me was that some players who didn’t get much game time in New Zealand got a good hit out tonight in preparation for next week’s FFA Cup tie against Melbourne City.
“Bonnyrigg were a good test tonight and you can see why they are top two in the New South Wales Premier League.
“But results don’t matter at this stage and these games are all about coming together as a team and progressing as a team.
“Another important aspect for me is that what we are doing on the training field is now being replicated on the pitch,” he said.
Arnold began with a number of regular first team players in the line-up which also included young goalkeeper Anthony Bouzanis making his first, first team appearance, alongside 17 year old striker George Blackwood.
Nikola Petkovic again captained the side as Sydney FC began the half with more purpose than their IGA NSW Premier League opponents.
Nick Carle was the first to go close when he shot only to see the effort deflected wide in the 7th minute.
In 14 minutes the Sky Blues again looked a threat with Antonis playing the ball through to Gameiro but it fell slightly ahead of the young striker and Gobbo was able to gather in the White Eagles goal.
Centre half Matt Jurman made a vital interception two minutes later when Canak pushed the ball inside from the right of the penalty area looking for Younis, but the former Brisbane man was there to clear the danger.
Sydney FC continued to dominate possession and play and on 24 minutes Milos Dimitrijevic struck a thunderous goal bound shot which was closed down at the last minute by the Bonnyrigg defence.
The Sky Blues were almost in front just after the half hour when Gameiro again found space on the left of the box but dragged his left foot shot agonisingly past the post.
Against the run of play Bonnyrigg took the lead in the 36th minute when Canak broke down the Sydney FC left. The linesman’s flag stayed down despite a hint of offside and when the midfielder crossed, Younis was on hand to control and calmly slot past Bouzanis.
That was the last meaningful action of the half with the White Eagles taking the advantage at the break.
Bonnyrigg made a number of second half changes while Sydney FC replaced Triantis and Blackwood at the start of the second half with youngsters Max Burgess and James Andrew.
Bouzanis pulled off a good save early in the half from Edosomwan before Sydney FC finally made the break through.
A left wing corner from Petkovic created a scramble in the Bonnyrigg box and Gameiro was first to pounce and slot the ball beyond Gobbo to make it 1-1.
The White Eagles weren’t put off however and restored their lead within three minutes. A right wing cross to the far post was headed back across the Sky Blues six yard box to Edosomwan who nudged the ball over the line with his head.
The lead didn’t last for long and it was Gameiro again who squared the ledger. Petkovic curled in a dangerous corner, this time from the right, and Gameiro met his pinpoint cross with a firm header from 12 yards to make it 2-2 after 64 minutes.
The striker almost had his hat-trick in the 70th minute when he found space and struck a shot that deflected wide of the post, but he was on hand four minutes later to play his part in the Sky Blues winner.
The Young Socceroos striker headed the ball back across goal from a right wing cross to Max Burgess and the Foxtel National Youth League midfielder controlled the ball on his chest and fired home to win the game for Sydney FC.
Sydney FC 3 (Gameiro 59’, 64’, Burgess 74’ )
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 2 (Younis 36’, Edosomwan 62’)
at Leichhardt Oval
Attendance: 2190
Referee: Kurt Ams
SYDNEY FC: 30. Antony BOUZANIS, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 5. Matt JURMAN, 6. Nikola PETKOVIC (Captain), 7. Corey GAMEIRO (26. Bai ANTONIOU 84’), 8.Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 16. Alex GERSBACH, 17. Terry ANTONIS, 18. Peter TRIANTIS (24. Max BURGESS 45’), 19. Nick CARLE (Nick WARD 60’), 28. George BLACKWOOD (29. James ANDREW 45’).
Subs not used: 1. Ivan NECEVSKI, 20. Vedran JANJETOVIC(GK), 25. George TIMOTHEOU, 27. Dylan CATON, 32. Themba MUATA-MARLOW.
BONNYRIGG WHITE EAGLES: 22. Liam GOBBO, 2. Alex MANSUETO, 4. David VRANKOVIC, 5. Chris TADROSSE, 6. Nikola ZONJIC, 8. Alexander CANAK, 9. Robert YOUNIS, 12. Dylan FOX, 18. Adrian UCCHINO, 19. Aaron PETERSON, 21. Bo HYUN CHUN.
Subs: 20. Tristan PRENDERGAST, 10. Tynan DIAZ, 11. Benjamin SPENCE, 14. Jordan CRIGHTON, 16. Howard FONDYKE, 17. Mitchell OSMOND, 24. Alexander DOYLE, 26. Tarik ERCAN, 27. Harrison FELLER, 30. Nikola KRLJAR, 32. Osadolor EDOSOMWAN, 36. Braedan ROBINS, 37. Carlos ENWIYA, 39. Jayden PRIEST.
-Sydney FC Press Release
Bonnyrigg to face Sydney FC
Sydney FC could be set to face off against Sky Blue legend Terry McFlynn when they take on his new club, IGA National Premier League NSW Mens 1 club Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Leichhardt Oval on August 6 (kick off 7.30pm).
The Sky Blues fourth match of pre-season will take place ahead of their first ever Westfield FFA Cup game to be played six days later in Ballarat against Melbourne City.
McFlynn, a former Sydney FC captain and now General Manager of Player Welfare at the club said he was looking forward to the challenge of playing against the Sky Blues, if selected.
“I always said I could never line up for another A-League club against Sydney FC but this friendly match will be different,” he said.
“It will be a good experience and probably a one-off for me, if I’m selected by the Bonnyrigg coach Brian Brown that is.
“I’m not sure how the body will cope with two games a week these days,” he joked.
“But seriously this will certainly be another important step forward in pre-season for Sydney FC ahead of another exciting Hyundai A-League season.
“We’ve got a strong squad at Bonnyrigg and I’m sure all of the players are looking forward to playing the big name Hyundai A-League club.”
This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides and will be the Sky Blues first hit out against a team competing in the IGA NSW NPL Men’s 1 division since 2011.
Sydney FC Head Coach Graham Arnold said he was looking forward to the game and believes facing off against third placed Bonnyrigg will prove a tough test for his Sky Blues outfit.
“Bonnyrigg will certainly be looking to prove a point against an A-League side but for us this will be another chance to work on our structures and team play,” said Arnold.
“The players have been first class since I arrived at Sydney FC and I’m happy with the progress we are making but there is still a long way to go.
“We have a talented squad and the effort and commitment shown so far has been good.
“I can already see the boys have the desire to win silverware at the end of the season and it all starts here.”
Bonnyrigg White Eagles Team Manager, George Mandic, was thrilled to be playing the most successful club in the country and believes that it’s going be a fantastic occasion.
“For Bonnyrigg it’s going to be great to play Sydney FC,” he said.
“It’s always good to play A-League sides and it’s good for our boys to get a hit out against a side of Sydney FC’s strength to see what level they’re at.
With plenty of young players harbouring aspirations of competing in the Hyundai A-League, Mandic also feels it’s a good opportunity for his young squad to prove themselves and potentially forge a career at a professional level.
“There’s a few kids that can maybe get noticed in a year or two and get the chance to play A-League in a couple of years,” he said.
“There are also a few former players from the A-League here that will get the chance to prove themselves again.”
Gates at Leichhardt Oval open at 6:30pm on Wednesday, August 6 and tickets can be pre-purchased online (details tbc in Sydney FC eNewsletter), priced at $5 for Members, $10 for adults and $7.50 for concessions and children 12-16 (plus booking fee). Children under 12 are free. Alternatively tickets can also be purchased on the night for $15 for adults and $10 for concessions.
Confirmed Sydney FC Pre-Season Fixtures
Tuesday 22nd July 2014
Sydney FC vs Newcastle United at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (kick off 5.30pm AEST) – Live on Main Event
Saturday 26th July 2014
Sydney FC vs West Ham United at Westpac Stadium, Wellington (kick off 12pm AEST) – Live on Main Event
Wednesday 6th August 2014
Sydney FC vs Bonnyrigg White Eagles at Leichhardt Oval, Sydney (Kick off 7.30pm AEST)
Tuesday 12th August 2014
Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32
Melbourne City vs Sydney FC at Morshead Park, Ballarat (Kick Off 7.30pm AEST)
Sunday 24th August 2014
Northern Fury vs Sydney FC at Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville (Kick off 2pm AEST)
Wednesday 27th August 2014
Sydney FC vs Newcastle Jets at Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville (Kick off 7.30pm AEST)
Saturday 30th August 2014
Sydney FC vs Brisbane Roar at Townsville Sports Reserve, Townsville (Kick off 8pm AEST)
Friday 19th September 2014
Sydney FC vs Wellington Phoenix at WIN Stadium, Wollongong (Kick off 7.30pm AEST)