Menu
Menu

National Premier Leagues NSW Men's 1

Home of the Men's National Premier League NSW

Former Sydney Olympic star earns Schalke debut

By

In a major boost for our very own National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, former Sydney Olympic defender George Timotheou made his first-grade debut for German Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04 over the weekend.

The 21-year-old, who was snapped up by the German giants in July last year, played a full match in Schalke’s scoreless draw against Stuggart and from all reports had a great debut.

The Canberra born defender has been a regular feature in Schalke’s reserve team and with a number of notable performances, caught the attention of first team coach Huub Stevens who had no hesitation in using Timotheou in the final match of the regular season in Germany.

Timotheou was a formidable force in the NPL NSW Men’s competition under the watchful eye of Sydney Olympic boss Abbas Saad.

His was a huge presence in the Blues back-line. His ability to win any aerial battle as well as his marauding runs were a regular feature that wowed many whilst watching Sydney Olympic during his time at the club.

With Timotheou continunally peaking, it is expected that the defender will hopefully gain more match time in the senior side next season for the German giants whilst gaining the attention of a possible Socceroos call-up from Graham Arnold.

Olympic stunned by clinical Sky Blues

By

It was a hard-fought battle at Belmore Sports Ground on Friday night between Sydney Olympic and Sydney FC, with the young Sky Blues coming away with a shock 3-2 victory over last year’s Premiers and Champions.

Sydney FC were clinical in their execution, with Benjamin Koop, Luke Ivanovic and Joel King all scoring their goals through their fast-paced attack, while Olympic struggled to convert their chances, with Alex Sanchez’s double not enough to match the energetic young Sky Blues.

The first goal came after just ten minutes for the visitors, making the most of a counter attack opportunity.

Olympic skipper Jason Madonis was brought down at half way and while Olympic called for the free kick, Sydney FC kicked into gear on the counter.

Marco Tilio curled an impressive cross into Koop who sent his header powerfully into the back of the net to open scoring.

Sydney Olympic retaliated quickly, equalising just one minute later.

Tom Whiteside sent the ball to Niko Tsattalios who flicked the ball on to Sanchez in a dangerous position.

The Spaniard didn’t hesitate, striking the ball straight past Sydney FC custodian Thomas Howard-Belle to level the game.

Sydney FC took it to two in the 50th minute, with Luke Ivanovic making his way on to the scoreboard.

Ivanovic positioned himself well to receive an overhead ball and strike it into the back of the net.

The visitors found their third in the 55th minute as Hamish Lamberton passed off to King sitting on the 18-yard box, who hit a powerful ball out of reach of Henderson.

Olympic started clawing their way back into the game in the 70th minute, again through Sanchez who netted his ninth for the NPL NSW Men’s campaign.

The hosts dominated the last quarter of the game, creating an abundance of opportunities as they searched for the equaliser.

New recruit Peter Kekeris, signed from the Central Coast Mariners, came close in the 78th minute, curling an impressive shot on target to be saved by Howard-Belle.

They came painfully close in the 81st minute, when Jack Stewart’s shot hit the inside of the crossbar before bouncing on the line and coming back into play.

It was corner after corner for Sydney Olympic as they continued to look for a third right up to the final whistle in what was becoming an increasingly physical game, but the youngsters kept hold of their lead, finishing the game with a 3-2 victory.

Sydney FC coach Jim Van Weeren was impressed with the performance of his young players.

“They [Sydney Olympic] asked a look of good questions from us.

“Fair play to our young boys who came on and stood up and rode the last bit of the game out.

“The boys showed tonight that when they’re on and they can convert their chances then they can win games.”

Olympic coach Abbas Saad was disappointed with the result considered the number of opportunities his team created.

“They had three shots and three goals, we had 30 shots and two goals.

“I’ve never seen anything like it.

“We’ve had a great run in the last month.

“We didn’t play badly today…we’ve just got to convert the chances that we create.”

Match Stats

Sydney Olympic FC 2 (Alex Sanchez 11’, 70’)

Sydney FC 3 (Benjamin Koop 10’, Ivanovic 50’, King 55’)

Friday 17th May, 2019

Belmore Sports Ground

Referee: Craig Fisher

Assistant referees: J. Bell, J. Bitas

Fourth official: R. Mattei

Sydney Olympic FC: 1. Paul Henderson, 2. Thomas Whiteside, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 6. Nikola Kuleski (44. Peter Kekeris), 7. Will Angel, 8. Jason Madonis (17. Jack Stewart), 9. Radovan Pavicevic (22. Michael Gaitatzis,), 11. Jinya An, 12. Zachary Mackenzie, 14. Alex Sanchez, 33. Niko Tsattalios

Substitutes Not Used: 19. Darcy Burgess, 20. Eze Consoni,

Yellow Cards: Jinya An, William Angel, Mitchell Stamatellis

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 1. Thomas Howard-Belle, 3. Benjamin Van Meurs, 5. Patrick Scibilio, 7. Jerry Skotadis, 8. Joel King (14. Thomas Fay), 9. Hamish Lamberton, 10. Marco Tilio, 11. Luke Ivanovic (12. Giuseppe Tilio), 15. Ryan Teague, 16. Paolo Bonanni, 18. Benjamin Koop

Substitutes Not Used: 20. David Malishev, 24. Jake Hollman

Yellow Cards:  Hamish Lamberton, Thomas Howard-Belle

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Joel King (SFC)

2 – Alex Sanchez (SO)

1 – Ryan Teague (SFC)

Written by Madeline Riley

@madelineriley23

 

Sydney Olympic unearthing their very own Dimi Petratos

By

There’s a familiar name with a new face making waves in the National Premier League NSW Men’s this season in the shape of Sydney Olympic FC’s rising star Dimi Petratos.

The 19-year-old burst onto the scene a few weeks ago with a goal on debut against Rockdale City Suns, before backing up his effort a week later at Belmore Sports Ground with a dramatic 87th minute equaliser off the bench in Olympic’s 2-2 draw with Manly United.

The Petratos surname is already well acclaimed in Australian footballing circles with four of Dimi’s cousins currently signed to A-League club Newcastle Jets.

The eldest of the bunch, who shares the name Dimi Petratos, was named in the Socceroos’ 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Historically, Dimi began his career at Sydney Olympic as a 16-year-old, where in 2010 he was teammates with his father Angelo for a season.

Whilst this remarkable pedigree leaves a lot for Petratos to aspire to, the attacking midfielder has treasured his first taste of National Premier League NSW Men’s action.

“It felt good,” the youngster reflected.

“It has all come along pretty quickly.

“I wasn’t expecting to go on that early and before I knew it the goal happened.

“My teammates were all really happy for me.

“It’s been something different. The standard is very high, and the pace is a lot quicker than what I’m used to playing with the Under 20s.”

It has been a campaign of mixed results for Abbas Saad’s men, who sit six points off top in fifth position with ten rounds played.

Petratos is determined to inspire the defending league Champions heading into the business end of the season.

“Winning the double last year, we want to try our hardest to back it up.

“I’m going to try and keep getting onto the pitch for first grade and continue scoring goals to help the team out.

“I’ve been encouraged to just keep doing what I’m doing and more will come.

“This is only just the start.”

Rather than being intimidated, Petratos is harnessing the success of his relatives as fuel to continue driving forward.

“Of course, I look up to them,” he revealed. `

“Playing in the A-League, Dimi is one of the best players in the competition.

“I would say it acts as motivation rather than pressure.

“We know what is expected of us, I just have to keep doing what I do best and see what happens.”

Petratos and Olympic will look to solidify their position in the top five when they host Sydney FC at Belmore Sports Ground on Friday night.

-By Chris Curulli

Points shared at Edensor Park

By

An inspired performance by shot stopper Thomas Manos has helped Sydney United 58 claim a point against rivals Sydney Olympic after a 1-1 draw at Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday.

The talented United 58 goalkeeper made save after save to stop a relentless Olympic attack in a thrilling match between the traditional rivals.

Peter Simonoski’s 60th minute goal saw the home side take the lead early in the second half.

However, Olympic was quick to respond, with Radovan Pavicevic equalising for the visitors in the 63rd minute to finish the game square.

A late flurry from the visitors threatened to pinch all three points but United 58 clung on to secure a hard earned point.

It was a tight first half for both sides as the game travelled from end to end with fans sitting at the edge of their seat hoping that one of their team’s opportunities would make an impact.

Olympic was unlucky not to be on the scoreboard after 55 minutes, coming out firing after the break to create an abundance of opportunities muffled out by some quality goalkeeping from Sydney United 58’s Manos.

Jack Stewart took a shot in the 50th minute which was deflected spectacularly by Manos only to land at the feet of Alex Sanchez.

Sanchez then took the shot, but it was well defended by the home side.

Olympic came back wanting more in the 58th minute with Jinya An intercepting a ball from United 58 to let off a shot, which again was deflected by Manos.

Olympic followed with another shot on target, but Manos bounced up to keep the visitors scoreless.

Sydney United 58 opened scoring in the 60th minute, capitalising on a speedy counter attack to make their way on to the scoreboard.

Simonoski used his pace to run in between Olympic’s central defence to collect a huge overhead ball from Tariq Maia and send it out of reach of Olympic custodian Paul Henderson to knock home his sixth for the year.

Sanchez looked to retaliate immediately for Olympic, sending a shot just outside the stick’s moments later.

Thomas Whiteside sent an impressive ball straight to the head of Pavicevic in the 62nd minute, but the attacker’s header couldn’t find the target.

Olympic’s perseverance paid off in the 63rd minute with Sanchez and Pavicevic pairing up to equalise.

Sanchez made a dangerous run and cut the ball back in to Pavicevic who fired into the netting from inside the penalty area.

It was his first for the season.

Both sides were searching for more in the final quarter of the game, with Patrick Antelmi coming close for the hosts late in the game.

Antelmi sent a stunner towards goal in the 85th minute, but Henderson put his skills on display, pulling off a excellent save to keep the game at 1-1.

Sydney United 58 coach Miro Vlastelica said he thought the draw was a “fair result.”

“At the end of the day I think a draw was a fair result,” he said.

“Today was always going to be a test.”

Olympic coach Abbas Saad was pleased with the opportunities his team created in the game

“It was a tough game,” he explained.

“We had some good chances; their keeper was outstanding.”

“Both teams played really well and had a go.

“It was a good game to watch.”

Match Stats

Sydney United 58 1 (Peter Simonoski 60’)

Sydney Olympic FC 1 (Radovan Pavicevic 63’)

Sunday 12th May, 2019

Sydney United Sport Centre

Referee: Craig Fisher

Assistant referees: Scott Edeling, Nathan Wotton

Fourth official: Nicholas Gongolidis

Sydney United 58: 3. Jordan Roberts, 5. Anthony Tomelic, 7. Peter Simonoski, 10. Sebastian Gallego Berriel (12. Liam Rose), 11. Yianni Perkatis, 15. Tariq Maia (9. Patrick Antelmi), 17. Matthew Bilic, 18. Glen Trifiro, 20. Cristian Gonzalez (8. Matthew Sim), 21. Thomas Manos, 22, Yianni Fragogiannis

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Daniel Sadaka, 6. Petar Markovic,

Yellow Cards:  Yianni Fragogiannis, Jordan Roberts

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney Olympic FC: 1. Paul Henderson, 2. Thomas Whiteside, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 7. Will Angel (19. Darcy Burgess), 8. Jason Madonis, 9. Radovan Pavicevic (33. Niko Tsattalios), 10. Harris Gaitatzis (6. Nikola Kuleski), 11. Jinya An, 12. Zachary Mackenzie, 14. Alex Sanchez, 17. Jack Stewart

Substitutes Not Used: 20. Ezequiel Consoni, 25. Dimi Petratos,

Yellow Cards: Radovan Pavicevic

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Thomas Manos (SU)

2 – Alex Sanchez (SO)

1 – Thomas Whiteside (SO)

Written by National Premier Leagues NSW reporter Madeline Riley

@madelineriley23

 

Sanchez stuns Stallions as Olympic power over Marconi

By

An Alejandro Sanchez brace has helped Sydney Olympic put an end to Marconi’s four game unbeaten run with a 3-1 victory at Marconi Stadium on Saturday.

Sanchez was in inspired form for the reigning champions to help Olympic to consecutive wins for only the second time this season.

It appeared as if Marconi were on their way to another high scoring performance when Anthony Frangie gave the home side the lead inside two minutes.

However, Sanchez struck back immediately for Olympic before finding the back of the net again midway through the second half to give his side the lead.

Nikola Kuleski wrapped up the result in the dying stages with a sublime free-kick to condemn Marconi to their first defeat in over a month.

The game got underway to a blistering start when Marconi Stallions took the lead in the 2ndminute.

A delightful ball from Mirijan Pavlovic was played across the face of goal for  Frangie who, from close range, made no mistake.

Sydney Olympic replied instantly when from the kick-off a quick ball was played to the dynamic Sanchez who sprinted away and fired straight into the goal past an outstretched Nenad Vekic.

Two goals in the opening three minutes certainly had whet the appetites of the healthy crowd in the grandstand.

Sanchez then responded with two more chances in the 17th minute.

Firstly he blasted the ball from outside the box but it ended up just wide of the target, and then seconds later he displayed his twinkle toes on a dazzling run that nearly had everyone mesmerised bar for a final shot that was blocked rather fortuitously.

In the 21st minute a powerful drive from Will Angel had Marconi custodian Vekic pushing the ball out with his chest.

The Stallions had a chance of their own as the action went up the other end of the field, Brandon Vella fired just wide with a diagonal shot that could have been so much more.

In the 39th minute some excellent defending from Zachary Mackenzie prevented Pavlovic from hitting the target when he beautifully got back to deviate the ball for a corner.

It was to be the last real chance of the eventful first stanza of play.

The second half was also tight but the scoreboard belonged to Sydney Olympic.

Harris Gaitatzis tried his luck from distance and wasn’t too far off with his attempt in the 50th minute which sailed menacingly over the crossbar.

Marconi came close shortly afterwards when a header from Vella found Marko Jesic in a good position but he flicked the ball just over the goal.

Sydney Olympic doubled their lead in the 63rd minute thanks to a stupendous volley from Sanchez who buried the ball into the back of the net.

Vekic was called on to make back to back saves in the 75th minute as he got down to stop Gaitatzis before recovering to deny another dangerous Olympic shot on goal.

However, Olympic were not to be stopped in the 83rd minute when substitute Nikola Kuleski did his best to impersonate Lionel Messi from a free-kick.

It was almost as good as the Barcelona maestro’s goal against Liverpool during the week as the Marconi wall stood no chance such was the accuracy and power of the majestic curling effort.

After the game Sydney Olympic coach Abbas Saad was delighted with the consecutive wins.

“It was a magnificent effort,” he said.

“They are a tough team to beat but you have to bring the right attitude because they are very well coached. You have to run with them, you have to battle with them but we know our football and we have the ammunition to beat any team.”

When asked about Alejandro Sanchez he stated: “Yes, he is special but he is a striker and he is there to score goals.

“You have to credit all the boys because without the other ten players, he is not going to score. They worked hard for him today and they made chances for him today, but I thought defensively we were superb.”

“Marconi coach Peter Tsekenis was frustrated with the performance of his side as they dropped below the top form of recent weeks.

“We weren’t tonight at where we usually set the bar for ourselves,” he said.

“We were below par but we were still in that game. At 1-1 we made an error at the back which let them into the game. The difference was the clinical finishing of one player [Sanchez].

“It doesn’t help to concede like we did after scoring our goal which was a well-taken goal.

“They were very predictable on the other hand; we knew what they were going to do and credit to Sanchez for doing what he did. In the end they got the result and you can’t argue.”

Match Stats

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1 (Frangie 2’)

SYDNEY OLYMPIC: 3 (Sanchez 3’, 63’, Kuleski 83’)

Saturday, 4th May 2019

Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park

Referee: Hassan Jomaa
Assistant Referees: Joon Park, Patrick Teleki

Fourth Official: Ivica Covic

MARCONI STALLIONS: 1.Nenad Vekic, 3.Giorgio Speranza, 4.Roberto Speranza, 7.Sean O’Connell (16.Liam Youlley 68’), 9.Anthony Frangie (28. Martin Fernandez 68’), 10.Marko Jesic, 11.Mitchell Mallia, 13.Yianni Nicolaou, 19.Zach Cairncross, 21.Mirjan Pavlovic, 23.Brandon Vella (20.Richard Cardozo 84’).

Substitutes not used: 2.Nathan Millgate, 17.Kristian Sekutkoski.

Yellow Cards: Vella 14’, R.Speranza 76’, Cairncross 82’

Red Cards: Nil

SYDNEY OLYMPIC: 1.Paul Henderson, 2.Thomas Whiteside, 4.Mitchell Stamatellis, 7.William Angel (6.Nicola Kuleski 71’), 8.Jason Madonis, 9.Radovan Pavicevic (23.Troy Danaskos 88’), 10.Harris Gaitatzis (25.Dimi Petratos 91’), 11.Jinya An, 12.Zachary Mackenzie, 14.Alejandro Sanchez, 17.Jack Stewart.

Substitutes not used: 19.Darcy Burgess, 20.Ezequiel Consoni.

Yellow Cards: Madonis 80’

Red Card: Nil

Player Ratings

3 – Alejandro Sanchez (SO)

2 – Zachary Mackenzie (SO)

1 – Harris Gaitatzis (SO)

By National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s reporter Joe Russo