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Rockdale Ilinden book ticket to 2020 NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final

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Newly crowned 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiers Rockdale Ilinden booked its Grand Final ticket to Marconi Stadium for the ‘Big Dance’ after a devastating display defeating Sydney Olympic 3-0 at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Saturday night.

Steve Zoric’s men brought their season form into the crucial semi-final clash as they proved far too hungry for their opponents whose defensive errors ended up being their downfall.

Rockdale kicked things off with a great opening goal in the 29th minute thanks to a stunning Michael Neil strike. It was some decent build up play from the Ilinden back-line that saw Banri Kanaizumi launch a long ball forward that saw Patrick Savor expertly nod it through to a rampaging Neill who ripped the leather off the ball with a venomous strike sending the home fans into raptures.

Neill then turned the game on its head with two minutes remaining before the break after picking up a loose ball and playing a lovely one-two, was brought down in the box by Olympic’s Jason Madonis.

Referee Katie Patterson had no hesitation but awarded the penalty which was expertly dispatched by Japanese import Tomoki Wada.

It was a hammer blow for the Blues who went into the half knowing they needed a herculean effort in the second to get back into the match.

It wasn’t to be for Ante Juric’s men as it was Game, Set and Match in the 57th minute when young gun Jaden Casella pounced on yet another defensive blunder by Olympic.

Benjamin Van Meurs gave a poor ball away which was picked up by the elusive Amaury Gauthier. The ace marksman slipped Casella through who did well to finish a crafty move and it was then and there the hosts realised they’d be playing at next Sunday’s NPL NSW Men’s Grand Final.

The day’s earlier match in the Grade 20s Semi-Final saw Sydney FC prove too strong for Rockdale Illinden coming home with a 3-1 victory.

A brace from 16-year-old sensation Aiden Mostofi and Anton Milnaric cancelled out Nathan Manno’s goal that sent the Sky Blues into next Sunday’s Grade 20 Grand Final.

Madonis to put friendship aside as Olympic target Premiers scalp

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Sydney Olympic midfielder Jason Madonis will be putting his friendship aside with Rockdale Ilinden’s star player and Baker Alec Urosevski as the Blues go in search of a Grand Final ticket this weekend.

Urosevski has been in scintillating form for the newly crowned 2020 Premiers with Madonis acknowledging the ace marksman’s dangers come Saturday evening when the pair lock horns in their semi-final clash with the winner progressing to this year’s Grand Final.

“Alec and I actually played together at Sydney Olympic 10 years ago and since he moved to Rockdale we’ve played against each other countless times.

“He’s definitely one of their danger men up front so we can’t afford him time and space.

“It’s always a good battle when we play and I’m sure we’ll be trying to one-up each other on Saturday.”

Madonis would love nothing more than to see Olympic knock off Rockdale who clinched their first ever NPL piece of silverware last weekend – The Blues too had a great opportunity in fighting for the Premiership but their 1-1-all draw against the Mt Druitt Town Rangers put an end to their title hopes – It was a game which also saw the Blues stalwart miss a crucial penalty.

“Of course, Sydney Olympic is a club that always has high expectations, and the goal is to win every piece of silverware on offer. We are disappointed we fell short however there is still the Championship trophy to fight for and all of our attention is focused on winning that to cap off a strong season.

“I was obviously gutted with the penalty miss and drawing the game but that’s all part of football.

“I’ve had a good run from the penalty spot and converted all of them in the last three years so this one just wasn’t meant to be. I’ll learn from it and move on.”

Traditionally, matches against Rockdale always prove to be thrilling ones and Saturday evening’s encounter is sure to be just that as the Ilinden Sports Centre will play host to a blockbuster affair.

“Rockdale is a strong team and Ilinden is always a tough place to go. They’ve been consistent all season and won the Premiership for a reason.

“In saying that, I have full belief in my team and I’m confident that if we go there and play to the best of our ability we can win the game and progress to the Grand Final.

“Everyone knows about the rivalry between our two clubs and these games are always the most exciting, I’m really looking forward to it.

“We will go into the game just like every other game, giving 100% and having full confidence and belief that we can win the game.

“Yes there’s a little more pressure being a semi-final, but we’ve been here before and we know what it takes to win big games and qualify for Grand Finals.

“It’s been two-years since we won the Championship and everyone at the club is hungry to do it again.”

Don’t forget you can catch all the drama and excitement of this crucial NPL NSW Men’s Semi-Final clash exclusive only to NPL.TV, download the APP or register online today.

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Rescheduled fixture announced for Sydney Olympic v Sydney FC

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The National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s round 2 postponed fixture between Sydney Olympic and Sydney FC has been rescheduled to be played on Wednesday 19th of August at Lambert Park with kick-off set for 7:45pm.

In accordance with Section 2 Art. 30e on page 18 of the 2020 Competition Regulations, the match will commence from the 50th minute with the score at 0-0 using the same team sheet and no alterations can be made to the playing roster and only players already listed on the team sheet can take part in this fixture.

 

Sorras rises to the Challenge

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Sydney Olympic’s promising young goalkeeper Nick Sorras had a dream debut for the club when the Blues defeated arch-rivals Sydney United 58 last Sunday in the opening round of the rebooted National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season.

The 22-year-old former Australian youth international has made it a point of his to make that number one jersey his own, and with keeping his first clean sheet of the season as well as making a string of great saves at Edensor Park, he has started on the right foot.

“It was great to get off to a winning start and of course pick up the clean sheet as well.

“The boys all worked hard during pre-season, so it was great to hit the ground running.

“Everyone at the club has been extremely welcoming. I came into the squad knowing a few of the boys previously so it made it easy to fit right in.”

One familiar NPL NSW Men’s figure keeping Sorras on his toes is former Blues number one and Olympic icon and now Goalkeeper coach Paul Henderson.

“Having a goalkeeping coach of Paul’s calibre has been fantastic.

“He’s constantly helping me improve with feedback and instilling his knowledge and experience of playing at the highest levels of the game in me.

“We work hard every time we step out onto the pitch and Hendo has become a great mentor for me.”

Olympic and newly appointed coach Ante Juric have stated their intentions of winning as many matches as possible this year with Sorras further indicating the club’s seriousness in doing well during this rebooted season.

“With the squad that we have we know that anything is possible really.

“Everyone is on the same page and we are working hard to achieve the objectives we have set as a team.

“Personally, take each game one at a time and give my very best each week.”

The Personal Trainer will be taking on a familiar side this Sunday as Olympic face a red-hot Sydney FC outfit at Lambert Park.

Sorras spent some time at the Sky Blues and knows that his side are in for a tough match against some of the best young talents in Australia with the game set to be streamed live and exclusive only on NPL.TV at 5pm.

“The team and myself will be treating the game just like any other.

“It will be good to see a few old faces from my time at the club, but all concentration and focus will be on the match itself.

“We know we will be in for a good match come Sunday as they’ve come from a good win against the Wanderers.”

Nick’s not the first Sorras to have worn the famous Sydney Olympic jersey.

His father George, a quality defender, wore the Blue and White jersey proudly during the National Soccer League days.

Young Nick is hoping he too can follow in the footsteps of his father, making a name for himself at the club.

“My father is happy to see me progressing.

“I’m extremely proud to play for a club like Sydney Olympic and look forward to playing as many games for the club as possible.”

 

Coaching changes at Sydney Olympic

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National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s side Sydney Olympic have appointed its Technical Director Ante Juric as the head coach of the senior side after the club were unable to reach a mutual agreement around a revised contract with Terry Palapanis of his role for the varied competition commencing in August.

Palapanis commenced in the role of Men’s 1st Grade Coach and Senior Technical Director for the 2020 season which was suspended by Football NSW due to COVID – 19 after Round 3 of the regular season. Terry will continue in the role of Senior Technical Director to support the preparation of the Senior program and will continue to report to the CEO and Club Board.

The decision has meant that Club Technical Director and former Sydney Olympic player Ante Juric will assume the coaching role for the 1st grade team for the 11-round competition.

”While disappointed we were unable to reach an agreement with Terry, for this revised competition around the 1st Grade Coaching component of his role, we are lucky to have a coach of Ante’s experience on staff at the Club and he is able to step into the role immediately to take the squad,” said Sydney Olympic CEO John Boulos.

Players were offered a reduced salary for the 2020 season and were fully accepting of the rationale behind this revised offer to support the Club’s participation in the competition.

“We are very lucky that our players appreciate the financial impact from decreased funding and sponsorship on the Club due to COVID-19. Our playing groups, men and women have all been willing to accept revised terms in their agreements to ensure we put the Club at the forefront of all decisions and are able to participate in the proposed competition”. Boulous said.

In squad news for the revised competition, the club has lost Spaniard Raul Beneit Romero who returned back to Spain while the competition was suspended and keeper Anthony Bouzanis who decided to not continue with the Club.

Returning to the Club is former Sydney FC defender Ben Van Muers who after signing with the Club in the off-season, accepted a professional contract offer in Hong Kong.

Also returning is young attacker Alexander Lopez who left just prior to the season start for a trial opportunity in Uruguay.