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Nick Dimovski appointed Sutherland Sharks head coach

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The Sutherland Sharks FC have announced the appointment of Nick Dimovski  as their first grade coach for the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s 2020 season.

This will be Nick’s biggest challenge after putting in the hard yards as a former player, youth coach , 18’s and 20’s coach.

Nick comes to the senior squad with some pedigree having won some silverware throughout the last few years and understands the culture of the club and the importance of having a mixture of experience and youth.

-Sutherland Sharks Press Release

 

Abbas Saad resigns as head coach of Sydney Olympic

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Sydney Olympic Football Club has announced that Abbas Saad has resigned from his position of 1st Grade Men’s Head Coach.

Abbas is Hall of Fame legend of the Club and took over as Head Coach a week prior to the commencement of the 2018 season on his return from Malaysia.

Under his guidance the squad won both a Premiership and Championship in 2018 and this season missed out on a finals spot on goal difference.

“It was an honour to Coach at Olympic, a club I won premierships as a player and now as a coach is something I am very proud of”. Saad commented;

“I feel I have taken this squad as far as I can and I am seeking a new challenge and opportunity in my coaching career. I wish nothing but the best for the players and Club. Saad added.

Sydney Olympic Football Club CEO John Boulous stated.

“Abbas is a popular and engaging figure throughout the Club and its fans and has made a positive difference since returning to the Club, Abbas made an immediate impact on taking over and instilled great belief, confidence and passion throughout the playing group, contributing to their immediate success”.

“Abbas will be missed and we wish him the best of luck for his future endeavours, being a Hall of Fame Legend he will always remain a friend and very welcome at our Club”. Boulous added.

Boulous added – “The Club will commence its search for a new coach immediately and are hopeful to complete this process as soon as possible to continue the appropriate planning for next season”.

Win or bust for Lewis and Blacktown City

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Blacktown City FC skipper Matt Lewis is expecting another tight elimination battle against Sydney United 58 at Lily Holmes Stadium on Wednesday night.

In Round 1 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Finals Series, Mark Crittenden’s men experienced heartbreak in a crushing 5-3 penalty-shootout defeat at the hands of the APIA Leichhardt Tigers.

However their late-season league form earned City third spot and a second chance, which they are eager to make count.

Despite the eventual outcome, Saturday night saw Blacktown produce a spirited performance that presented its fair share of positives for Lewis and his men.

“It was disappointing to lose on penalties,” the defender reflected.

“I felt like we deserved to win that game in normal time after dominating for most of the game.

“Credit to APIA, they defended really well.

“We didn’t finish our chances and penalties are a lottery.

“From our point of view everyone has now forgotten that game, because it is over.

“If we play the way we did on Saturday or against Wollongong towards the end of the season, I’m very confident we can do a job come Wednesday night.”

Wednesday night will not be the first time in recent memory that the two Western Sydney based clubs meet in a high-stakes affair, with City famously triumphing over United 58 back in the 2016 NPL NSW Grand Final.

While he admits it is likely to be far from straightforward, Lewis assured that his youthful Blacktown outfit have what it takes to book a spot in next weekend’s Preliminary Final.

“We’ve played against them many times and their team hasn’t changed too much from year to year.

“We’re very confident for the game and know what to expect from them.

“They probably know what to expect from us too, and we both played 120 minutes on the weekend so it will be pretty even again.”

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

 

Palapanis departs Sutherland Sharks

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The Sutherland Sharks have announced that Terry Palapanis has stepped down as head coach of the senior team after spending a full season with the club.

Palapanis was offered a new deal with the club but has since decided to move on.

The club will announce its next moves for the current vacant head coaching position in due course as the proud Shire outfit continue to build on what was a great season overall having finished fourth on the combined Club Championship tally as well as seeing a number of our players represent both the NSW state and of course the youth national team set-ups.

SSFC is a club that prides itself in developing and nurturing players and understands the importance of recruiting the right person to fit the description in ensuring this continues on with tradition.

-Sutherland Sharks Press Release

Fragogiannis prepares for battle against former club

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Yianni Fragogiannis is looking to lead Sydney United 58 through a do-or-die clash with his former club Blacktown City FC on Wednesday night.

Miro Vlastelica’s outfit edged their way past a stubborn Marconi Stallions side on Saturday, triumphing 2-0 thanks to Patrick Antelmi’s brace in extra time.

They are now preparing for a midweek trip to Lily Holmes Stadium, where they will lock horns with Blacktown City in the Minor Semi Final.

Despite displaying hot-and-cold form throughout the regular season, Fragogiannis is quietly confident his side have what it takes to continue progressing on the road to the Grand Final at Bankwest Stadium on August 31st.

“We’ve had a pretty inconsistent season across the board, but we knew that if we get into the top five, anything after that is a different proposition,” the defender said.

“In the one-off games of finals football, we back ourselves to beat anyone in the competition.

“The game (vs Marconi) probably wasn’t our best performance but I think from the second half and extra time we deserved to win.”

Fragogiannis donned the captain armband on Saturday night, as a member of United 58’s new leadership group established since the mid-season departure of club captain Nick Stavroulakis to APIA Leichhardt.

The defender will line up against a familiar foe on Wednesday night, having made the move from Blacktown to United 58 himself back in 2016.

“I’m a senior player as a part of the Sydney United set-up now,” Fragogiannis said.

“Since the departure of Nick Stavroulakis, the responsibility has been shared by a few of the boys, and I think that’s a good thing.“We are all trying to push on the younger boys and lead by example both on and off the field.

“I had three good years under Critto and only have good things to say about the job that he has done.

“It goes to show this season that everyone wrote them off and they still managed to finish in the top three.

“But we definitely back ourselves to beat anyone on any given day, and that will be the focus come Wednesday night.”

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