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Sim prepared for Wolves battle

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Sydney United 58’s Arjen Robben look-alike Matthew Sim knows what it takes to win crucial deciders as the Reds venture down South where they’ll face the might of the Wollongong Wolves at Albert Butler Memorial Park.

Sim has found his groove in more ways than one during the reboot of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season as he and his fellow teammates set their sights on a Grand Final ticket this Sunday.

“We have played in lots of close games with the Wolves in the past few years, they are a positive team who go on the front foot , but we have been here before so we know what is required.

“They have some obvious threats going forward, but we have the quality to make it difficult for them in that area of the pitch – we too have been solid going forward the other way so its going to be a quality match full of excitement that’s for sure.”

Sydney United 58 temporarily led the NPL NSW Men’s Premiership race during the final round but victory for Rockdale Ilinden all but secured their silverware much to the disappointment of Sim.

“Of course it would have been nice to finish on top and clinch the Premiership, we had a few slips up on the way and we knew it was going to be tight come the end of the season, we didn’t do enough at the end of the day.

“We still have an opportunity to claim some silverware with the Championship Title at stake but it all starts this Sunday as we hope we can get to the big dance first, taking out the Wolves in the process which by no means will be an easy match.”

The year itself has proved to be a healthy challenge for the former A-Leaguer as after the season recommenced once again  following the COVID lockdown, the club also saw a new coach at the helm in Anthony Crea due to Zeljko Kalac signing in Greece following Tony Popovic forming part of the coaching staff at Xanthi FC.

“It has just been positive to be able to get back out there and get some sort of a season in.

“The thought of no football for the whole season would have been devastating for the football community and given the situation in other states, we are very lucky to have been able to play.

“Different teams have taken different approaches but for us just being able to play and enjoy our football again has been great.

“Having Ant (Anthony Crea) and a few others around behind the scenes has been great. Ant has been to the top of the game and seen it all, he knows how to get us ready for the big moments. We have been training for the finals since the end of last year so we are ready to go.”

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.

The mobile apps are available for iOS and Android mobile devices and allow for connectivity to TV’s via Apple TV and Chromecast.

Download the NPL.TV app:

To access the premium digital pass offer, head to the Subscription page on the NPL.TV website.

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.

The mobile apps are available for iOS and Android mobile devices and allow for connectivity to TV’s via Apple TV and Chromecast.

Download the NPL.TV app:

To access the premium digital pass offer, head to the Subscription page on the NPL.TV website.

NPL.TV Launches Mobile Apps Finals Digital Pass

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NPL.TV today announced the release of the its mobile apps and a Premium Finals Series digital pass that will allow subscribers to watch all the action from the NPL NSW & NPL QLD finals in ad free and in 1080p full HD.

NPL.TV subscribers will continue to be able to watch all live and on-demand games in 720p HD at no cost. While Australian based finals series digital pass subscribers will get access to 1080p Full HD content ad free until the end of November for just $20  ($35 for international subscribers)

Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge was looking forward to seeing more live stream NPL football content promoted.

“In what has been a challenging year for football, we are delighted to be able release our mobile apps and the premium digital pass to coincide with what should be an enthralling finals series across both the NSW and QLD NPL Competitions.”

Football NSW Head of Commercial Brian Meinrath echoed Hodge’s sentiments as the strength of NPL football has grown from strength to strength in 2020.

“Week on week NPL.TV continues to build its subscriber base. The launch of the mobile apps and the finals premium digital pass will ensure the growth of the platform will continue throughout the business end of the season.”

The mobile apps are available for iOS and Android mobile devices and allow for connectivity to TV’s via Apple TV and Chromecast.

Download the NPL.TV app:

To access the premium digital pass offer, head to the Subscription page on the NPL.TV website.

NPL.TV FINALS SERIES BROADCASTS:

NPL NSW:3 & 4 October

Semi Finals – Men’s NPL2

Semi Finals – Women’s NPL

Round 10 – Men’s NPL & U20’s

10 & 11 October

Grand Final – Men’ s NPL2, NPL3, NPL 4

Grand Final – Women’s NPL, NPL2

Round 11 – Men’s NPL & U20’s

18 & 19 October

Semi Finals – Men’s NPL & U20’s

25 October

Grand Finals – Men’s NPL & U20’s

 

 NPL QLD:21 & 22 November

Semi Finals – Men’s NPL

Semi Final – Women’s NPL

Semi Finals – Men’s FQPL

28 November

Grand Final – Men’s NPL

Grand Final – Women’s NPL

Grand Final – Men’s FQPL

 

Thomas Fay can only get better

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He stole all the headlines in Sydney FC’s barnstorming 5-0 round nine victory over Mt Druitt Town Rangers last weekend but the scary signs are there that 19-year-old defender Thomas Fay can only get better.

Scoring a memorable hat-trick, his first ever in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition, the former Wakehurst FC junior was elated with how his squad went about their business by not only winning the match, but doing it in style at a cold and windy Popondetta Park in Sydney’s West.

“It was a great win especially coming off the back of some tough results, the boys showed how good we can play and the true potential that we possess.

“On a personal note, I was stoked to get 3 goals too and most importantly win the game. I quite enjoyed the opportunity to play more forward which I’m quite comfortable with as I play a lot of my game in the attacking third from left back.”

Fay brought back the years he once played as a number ten before switching his position to left back but his attacking ability was there for all to be seen as he played an integral role in the Sky Blues’ big win.

It’s been a solid year for Fay and his teammates, backing up from a successful National Youth League campaign, Sydney FC have been one of the success stories in the rebooted NPL NSW Men’s competition.

The likes of names such as current Golden Boot leader Patrick Wood, Antonio Saracino, Callum Talbot, Levi Kaye, Patrick Yazbek, Scott Browning, Thomas Main as well as Benjamin Koop, Jake Hollman and Jordi Swibel have all proven to be quote a handful for rival NPL NSW Men’s opposition.

“The season so far has obviously been a bit crazy, but I think everyone has been buzzing to get back into it after COVID.

“We have come into the season off a successful NYL campaign and had some quality results before the break.

“We all worked very hard during the time off and pushed ourselves so when we came back we were ready to go and this has slowly shown, we have really enjoyed playing in the top flight in NSW.

“On a personal level, I have just been working hard on and off the field to get better each week and like most young players, I’m working towards making the step up into the senior A-League environment.

“I just want to focus on consistently performing well for the remainder of the season and hopefully through to the finals.”

Currently sitting in fifth position a point outside the top four, Fay knows this Sunday’s massive blockbuster round ten clash against the highly fancied and 2019 Premiers Wollongong Wolves at the Illinden Sports Centre is a must win if they have any chance of playing finals football for the first time in its NPL NSW Men’s history.

“Wollongong Wolves this Sunday will be a good contest; they have some quality players on their roster and we need to be on our game to ensure we achieve a positive result.

“It’s a must win for us to have a shot at making our first ever NPL NSW Men’s top tier finals series which is very important to us so the boys will be ready to go.”

Sydney FC’s young and ambitious coach Jimmy Van Weeren is no stranger to the former Australian youth international’s ability.

Fay stated to Football NSW that he and the boys have really enjoyed his coaching methods and are hoping to repay him with a finals series finish.

“Jimmy has been great, he pushes us everyday at training to continue to work harder along with the other coaching staff.

“I have been coached by Jimmy for a while now since I was quite young, and he has helped me grow as a player.

“Jimmy’s put a lot of trust in us to perform each week, especially with some of the younger boys coming in the squad and its up to us as players to repay him for his faith which we all want to do.”

Bingham keeps the Wolves howling

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It may have been a gritty victory but striker Josh Bingham’s sole goal in the Wollongong Wolves’ Round Nine 1-0 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers at Albert Butler Memorial Park on Sunday has once again given the 2019 Premiers hopes of clinching back to back titles.

The 25-year-old former Oak Flats Falcons junior notched up his second goal of the season and one that could prove pivotal after round 11 concludes heading into the Finals Series.

“It was nice to score in what was an important game for us.

“We didn’t play our best football, but to still get the three points and have a big game defensively was a real positive and something we’ll take moving forward with two matches remaining.

“It’s been an exciting season, with some added challenges with the shorter format. You definitely have to go out each week and put your best foot forward because you can’t afford to look back and have missed opportunities for points and that was certainly put to the test against a hungry Wanderers outfit on Sunday.”

Injuries to key personnel have affected Luke Wilkshire’s squad during the rebooted season with the likes of Bul Juach, skipper James Stojcevski, Harry Callahan, Lachlan Scott and Darcey Madden to name a few, that have tested the Wolves playing group.

“We’ve been very unlucky with injuries and have lost some important players in key positions.

“But I think it speaks volumes of the squad we have that players have been able to step in and do a fantastic job and keep the team moving forward.”

One such player that not just the club but the entire National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition was happy to see again was none other than 2019 Golden Boot and Player of the Year Award winner Thomas James.

After spending an uneventful time with A-League outfit Perth Glory, Bingham was delighted to see the Englishman doing his thing for the club at the business end of the NPL NSW Men’s season.
“It’s been great having TJ out there, he’s a top-quality player and can create something out of nothing which is a huge asset, especially coming to the tail end of the season.”

Bingham and co will be on their guard this Sunday evening as the Wolves travel to Rockdale where they will face a tricky Sydney FC outfit who are also battling for a Finals Series finish.

“We know the quality that they have and are expecting nothing less than a tough game against the Sky Blues.

“We have to treat every game now like a final and we’ll be doing just that and are confident we can beat anyone if we play to our potential.

“Playing finals football and winning silverware is something we’re hungry for. With the teams so close at the top, we know we just have to control what we can and win the games ahead of us.”

Bingham heaped praise on coach Luke Wilkshire as he stated to Football NSW how much he has learned during his time at the South Coast club.

“It’s been great learning and playing under Luke. He’s got such a strong winning mentality and that’s evident in the team he’s put together over the last couple of years and the results that have come with it.

“It’s a top group of people in and around the team and I’m happy to be a part of it.”