After 12 weeks, the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition all comes down to this. The Big dance. The decider. The grand final. 

The biggest game of the season has arrived to decide the season’s biggest prize with two fierce rivals in Rockdale Ilinden FC and Sydney United 58 going head to head for championship glory.

Rockdale Ilinden FC have qualified for the club’s first grand final in seven season’s and will look to clinch the championship and premiership double when they take on a United 58 team returning for their second decider in as many seasons.

It was a historic season for Rockdale as they finished the season in first place to end a 51-year wait for a premiership title, while United 58 finished the year in third before stunning second-place Wolves last week to earn their place in the grand final.

Both teams have been in top form for the majority of the 11-week reboot season with each side coming back stronger after the enforced 20 week COVID shutdown.

Neither Rockdale or Sydney United has tasted grand final success this decade with United 58’s last win coming 14 years ago when they defeated Blacktown City in 2006.

For Rockdale, the wait has been even longer with the Ilinden Sports Centre based outfit last winning the championship in 1984.

It has been a very different path to Marconi Stadium for Rockdale and United 58.

Ilinden turned on a masterclass in both attack and defence to easily account for the high-powered offence of Sydney Olympic with a 3-0 drubbing at Ilinden Sports Centre

Goals to Mickey Neill, Tomoki Wada and Jaden Casella was the difference as the Steven Zoric coached outfit carried on from where they left off in the regular season to secure their place in the final.

It was a win which Zoric said was the culmination of a season built on hard work

“The semi-final win against Sydney Olympic was the perfect showcase of what this team can do,” he said.

“Olympic expected us to play it safe and try to stifle their attack but we took the game to them from the opening whistle and showed we can take it to any team in this competition.

“This grand final means everything to this club and I know the boys are ready to give their biggest performance of the year to bring the trophy home.”

United 58 had a more dramatic path with a 3-1 win against Wollongong Wolves in a match which included both team’s playing more than a half of football a man down after an all-in brawl that led to two straight red cards.

As a result the Red’s will be without their superstar striker Patrick Antelmi for Sunday’s clash as he serves his suspension for being sent off.

Coach Anthony Crea praised his side’s resilience after they battled their way to victory despite testing circumstances.

“No matter what was thrown at the boys they had an answer for it. They kept their composure when the pressure was on and found a way to win against tough opposition,” he said.

“Yes, Patrick has been a big part of our attack this season but our success was more than just one player and we will prove that again.

“This group of players know what it takes to win these big games and they’re determined to make the most of their opportunity.”

On the park both teams are bristling with talent.

Rockdale is packed with talent on every line with their team unity and balance across the park one of their biggest strengths.

The Ilinden midfield is the powerhouse which drives the team with Japanese import Tomoki Wada at the centre of everything they do.

Coach Steven Zoric has helped mould the side’s defence into a miserly unit which gives very little away. Captain Daniel Petkovski alongside Banri Kanaizumi marshall the centre of the backline with authority and will be a tough unit to break down.

The transformation of Mickey Neill from defender to goalscoring winger has been another Zoric masterstroke with the talented wide man playing a pivotal role in his side’s attack.

And the ace in the hand is Rockdale’s talismanic striker Alec Urosevski who would have to be the most talented super-sub to play in an NPL NSW grand final. His involvement off the bench could very well decide the match.

United 58 are not short on talent themselves.

The midfield is where the Red’s shine with Yianni Perkatis, Glen Trifiro, Devante Clut and Anthony Tomelic all boasting their own unique skillsets which when combined can dominate the opposition.

Veteran wide man Matt Sim gets better with age and continues to leave defenders struggling to stop his mazy dribbling and savvy runs into the box.

The absence of Antlemi creates the biggest selection headache facing coach Anthony Crea. Who will replace the man responsible for nearly 50 per cent of the team’s goalscoring output in the regular season?

This game presents a number of key matchups which will surely play a big part in deciding who will be triumphant at the final whistle.

Will Rockdale’s lack of big-game experience come back to hurt them against a United 58 team which has been a regular fixture at this point of the season?

Will United 58 suffer the grand final yips yet again or can they end their streak of six defeats from their past six grand final appearances?

Can Anthony Crea find a way to fill the absence of Antelmi and keep the United 58 attack firing on all cylinders?

Rockdale and Sydney United have faced off only one other time this season with the boys from Ilinden fighting back from 2-0 down to snatch a 2-2 draw.

It was a result which proved vital in their successful premiership title chase, while also scuppering United’ 58’s in the process

United 58 have proven they fear nobody and have the ability to beat anyone on the day. However, will they have enough left in the tank to beat premiers Rockdale Ilinden FC in the biggest match of the season?

Whatever the outcome, one thing for sure is that there will be plenty of foals excitement and entertainment on the menu.

Because when it’s all said and done, only one team can be crowned champion.

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Probable Lineups:

Rockdale Ilinden: Bradasevic, Ahmed, Casella, Gauthier, Kanaizumi, Neill, Petkovski, Savor, Sorge, Stamatellis, Wada

Sydney United 58: Nizic, Bilic, Gonzalez, Fragogiannis, Perkatis, Roberts, Sim, Tomelic, Trifiro, Vlastelica, Macdonald

There is no more time for excuses and no more second chances because It’s finals time in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.

 

The condensed finals schedule this season means there is even more pressure on remaining four sides Sydney United 58, Sydney Olympic, Wollongong Wolves and Rockdale City as they battle for a spot in the grand final and a shot at championship glory.

 

First placed Rockdale Ilinden FC will be gunning for the Premiership and Championship double on Saturday night when they host fourth-placed Sydney Olympic at Ilinden Sports Centre.

 

While on Sunday, second-placed Wollongong Wolves will host third-placed Sydney United 58 at Albert Butler Memorial Park.

 

You can catch both games live on NPL.TV 

 

Rockdale Ilinden FC v Sydney Olympic, 7pm Saturday at linden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden’s time for celebration is over and it is time to get back to business as the newly crowned premiers take on Sydney Olympic at Ilinden Sports Centre this Saturday.

 

The Steven Zoric coached side created history last week as they secured Rockdale’s first Premiership in more than half a century with an exciting 2-1 win against North Shore Mariners to finish the season ahead of second-placed Wollongong on goal difference.

 

It has been an incredible campaign for Rockdale who have finally delivered on their potential after years of falling short. 

 

Zoric has managed to get the most out of his squad and found a consistency which has been lacking in previous seasons.

 

It is the midfield which has been Rockdale’s powerhouse this year with Japanese playmaker Tomoki Wada the fulcrum.

 

Wada is a brilliant box-to-box midfielder who operates the middle of the pitch and is just as capable of scoring goal as he is creating them.

 

Mitchell Stamatellis has also provided much-needed experience and composure

 

Defensively Rockdale has also made a massive jump forward this season with the tandem of Daniel Petkovski and Banri Kanaizumi helping their team finish the campaign with the best defensive record.

 

They will be tested in a big way on Saturday against the high profile Sydney Olympic attack of Charles Lokolingoy, Fabio Ferreira and Adam Parkhouse.

 

Olympic started the season well but have slowed in the lead up to the finals as was evident in their 1-1 draw against Mt Druitt in the final round.

 

The Ante Juric coached side have struggled to get the most out of their highly credentialed squad and will need to rediscover the formula to their early-season success.

 

Experienced NPL NSW Men’s campaigners like Jason Madonis, Thomas Whiteside and Christopher ‘Hagi’ Gligor will need to lead from the front in a season-defining match.

 

Olympic will look to attack early and the question will be if Rockdale is focused on the job at hand or are still celebrating their premiership win.

 

Alec Urosevski has had the pressure of being Rockdale’s primary offensive weapon lifted off his shoulders this season and if he is used as a super-sub like he was last week could be the man to change the game while Amaury Gauthier has also been in lethal form and could pose a huge threat.

 

This match is very even on paper and with a grand final berth on the line, neither side is going to take it easy.

Leading Club Scorers
Rockdale Ilinden: Gauthier 6 goals, Urosevski 4 goals, Wada 4 goals.
Sydney Olympic: Lokolingoy 5 goals, Parkhouse 4 goals, Ferriera 3 goals.

 

Wollongong Wolves v Sydney United 58, 3pm Sunday at Albert Butler Memorial Park

Wollongong Wolves may have narrowly missed out on securing back-to-back premiership, but it means they will be more determined than ever when they host Sydney United 58 for a spot in this season’s grand final.

 

It is the second straight year these two sides have faced off at this stage of the competition with United 58 claiming a shock upset to secure a grand final berth in 2019.

 

Despite a dominant 5-2 win against Manly United in the final round, it wasn’t enough for the Luke WIlkshire coached Wolves to end the season in first place after narrowly falling short on only goal difference.

 

It’s a result which will surely fire-up the South Coast based side and of course Wilkshire going into this crunch clash.

 

Wollongong has been a model of consistency for most of the season and it is this which will play a major role if they’re to qualify for the grand final.

 

Defenders Taylor McDonald and Nick Littler have been sound at the back all season for Wollongong setting a brilliant platform for the rest of the side to build from.

 

However, it is the Wolves attack which has been their biggest strength over the second half of the season.

 

Japenese playmaker Takeru Okada has been in scintillating form this campaign providing a playmaking outlet for the side as well as chipping in with a few goals of his own.

 

Marcus Beattie scored a hat-trick in Wollongong’s final game of the regular season and will come into the finals series brimming with confidence.

 

Finally, the pairing of Thomas James and Josh Bingham at the top of the attack gives Wollongong two of the leagues best strikers and is sure to create plenty of headaches for the opposition.

 

That team will be a United 58 outfit who claimed a dominant 4-2 win against APIA in the final round.

 

The Anthony Crea coached side have already claimed a victory on the road against Wollongong this season and will be more than a handful to contain.

 

Boasting a midfield full of skilful scheming playmakers who can cut a defence to pieces with a few passes, United 58 are a side which can win a game in more ways than one.

 

The group of Glen Trifiro, Devante Clut, Mat Sim and Yianni Perkatis are tricky customers who are just as adept at playing through a solid defensive block as they are stinging their opponent on the counter.

 

Leading the charge upfront is prolific marksman Patrick Antelmi.

 

Much has been said about how Antelmi has lifted his game to a new game this season after a stint with A-League outfit Western United.

 

The former Blacktown City star has long been a talented attacking option, but this season he has evolved into a complete forward capable of scoring from any situation.

 

This game has the potential to be a shootout with both sides likely to flex their attacking firepower at every opportunity. 

 

Expect this game to go down to the wire as both Wollongong and United 58 are capable of snaring a late goal or two.

 

There is set to be plenty of fireworks in this one and with a grand final place on the line expect nothing less.

Leading Club Scorers
Wollongong Wolves – Bingham 6 goals, Scott 4 goals, Beattie 4 goals, Okada 4 goals.
Sydney United 58 – Antelmi 9 goals, Sim 4 goals, Clut 3 goals.

The National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership goes on the line with round 11 this weekend set to be a blockbuster few days of state league action.

Rockdale Ilinden, Wollongong Wolves and Sydney Olympic and United 58 are in a four-way battle to finish the rebooted season on top and will leave no stone unturned in their mission to claim the title.

The battle for finals places are equally as tense. Only the top four qualify for the postseason in 2020 instead of the usual top five.

The final place in the finals will come down to a battle between Sydney United 58 and Sydney FC with both sides desperate not to miss out.

Individual honours will also go on the line with United 58’s Patrick Antelmi (9) and Sydney FC’s young gun Patrick Wood (10) in a race for the Golden Boot.

The round 11 action gets underway with a triple-header on Friday night as APIA Leichhardt host Sydney United 58, Marconi is at home against Sydney FC, while Blacktown City take on Western Sydney Wanderers at Lily homes Stadium

Saturday will feature one match with Sydney Olympic heading west to Popondetta Park for a match against Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

Two matches will wrap up the round, the regular season and the premiership race with second-placed Wollongong Wolves facing off against Manly United, while first placed Rockdale hope to make history with a win against North Shore Mariners.

It will be one of the most exciting finishes to a National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season in recent history and not one to be missed.

 

APIA Leichhardt v Sydney United 58, 7:45pm Friday at Lambert Park

Sydney United 58’s slim Premiership title hopes will go down to the wire this Friday night as they travel to Lambert Park to take on APIA Leichhardt

It’s a complicated scenario for United 58, who must win this match and hope the three teams above them on the ladder lose if they are to be crowned premiers.

While they are in with a shot of finishing the season on top, a loss against APIA could also see them crash out of the finals altogether.

This match has plenty riding on it for the boys from Edensor Park.

A dramatic draw against Rockdale last week would’ve been a heartbreaking result for the Anthony Crea coached side but they will be determined to bounce back in this match against the team they faced in last seasons Grand Final.

Patrick Antelmi will be the man United 58 will lean on with the star striker arguably in the best form of his career.

Antelmi has nine goals for the season and trails Sydney FC’s Patrick Wood and his 10 goals in the golden boot race.

Looking to ruin all of United 58’s hopes will be an APIA side focused on ending their difficult season on a high note.

A big loss last week to Blacktown was just another painful defeat in a season of disappointment for the reigning league Champions.

This game is a chance for APIA’s big names to make their mark and deliver another savage blow to their rivals.

Look to Franco Parisi, Chris Payne and Sean Symons for a moment of magic.

Sydney United 58 will go into the match as favourites but with so much pressure on them, the question is will they be able to deliver when they need to the most.

 

Marconi Stallions FC v Sydney FC, 7pm Friday at Marconi Stadium

A historic maiden NPL NSW Men’s finals berth is on the line for Sydney FC as they travel to Marconi Stadium on Friday to take on Marconi Stallions.

The Young Sky Blues need to win their match and hope Sydney United 58 lose if they are to qualify for the postseason for the first time.

They come up against a frustrated Marconi side who blew their hopes of a top-four finish last week when they were stunned 3-1 by a well drilled North Shore Mariners outfit.

Sydney also suffered defeat in round 10, going down 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller against Wollongong.

The young Sky Blues have impressed during the rebooted season and have exceeded the expectations of many with their free-scoring style.

Patrick Wood has been the side’s breakout star and leads the golden boot race with ten goals. Expect to see Wood on the scoresheet again this week as he pushes for the scoring title.

Marconi pose a difficult challenge for Sydney and boast one of the best squads in the competition.

However, lapses in concentration have proved very costly for the Stallions

It will be interesting to see if coach Peter Tsekenis names a full-strength squad for this match now that his side is out of contention for the finals.

Marko Jesic has been one of the teams most consistent players so his inclusion would have a big impact on the match.

This game is very evenly matched, but the question is will a Marconi side with little to play for have the drive to challenge a Sydney FC team that still has everything on the line.

It is set to be an intriguing contest.

 

Blacktown City v Western Sydney Wanderers, 7.30pm Friday at Lily Homes Stadium

Derby honours go on the line in round eleven as Blacktown City take on Western Sydney Wanderers at Lily Homes Stadium this Friday.

Blacktown have found their groove in the last month and will be playing for a fourth straight win.

Mark Crittenden’s side struggled for goals for most of the rebooted season but rediscovered the way to goal in a big way in the last few matches scoring 10 goals in their last three games.

Leroy Jennings return to form has been a big part of the form turnaround and he will again be the dangerman for the Seven Hills-based outfit.

They come up against a dogged Wanderers team which has pushed the leagues best teams all season but have struggled get the rewards their efforts have deserved.

The Patrick Zwaanswijk coached team will be out to finish their first season in the NSW top tier with a win.

Rory Jordan was a standout player this season, as was Kosta Grozos and Ali Auglah.

While finals are out of the equation for both teams expect this derby match to be a thrilling contest.

 

Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Sydney Olympic, 7pm Saturday at Popondetta Park

Premiership success goes on the line for Sydney Olympic this Saturday when they travel to Popondetta Park to take on Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

Third-placed Sydney Olympic need to win this match and hope Wolves and Rockdale drop points if they are to lift the title.

The Ante Juric coached side claimed a narrow 1-0 win against Western Sydney Wanderers last week and will need to lift their game if they’re to take home all three points in round 11.

Olympic’s fearsome front three of Charles Lokolingoy, Adam Parkhouse and Fabio Ferreira will lead their side’s charge with a big scoreline very much on the cards in this contest.

Looking to stop them is a Mt Druitt side who have had their moments this season with strong performances but have struggled at the back end of the season losing their last four games without scoring a goal during that stretch.

Coach Franco Cosentino will hope to inspire his troops to a big performance to end the season.

With so much on the line, Olympic will be giving everything to make sure they lift the premiership trophy.

However, the Rangers will be out to deliver one final performance an pull off one of the upsets of the season.

 

Wollongong Wolves v Manly United, 2.30pm at Albert Butler Memorial Park

Wollongong Wolves Premiership defence comes down to their final match of the season as they host Manly United at Albert Butler Memorial Park on Sunday.

The Wolves come into this match in second spot on the ladder but equal on points to first placed Rockdale.

All they need is to better Rockdale’s result and the premiership is theirs.

It may seem simple but the Luke Wilkshire coached side will need to give everything to make an incredible second straight premiership a reality.

After a slow start to the rebooted season, the Wolves have found form when it mattered most.

Goal difference may come into play and it will mean Wollonong’s attack of Thomas James and Josh Bingham will need to deliver.

Bingham has been in great form in recent weeks and will be difficult for Manly to contain.

It has been a mixed season for Manly United who come into this match after a 1-0 win at home against Mt Druitt in Round 10.

Youth has been a big focus for the Northern Beaches based outfit this season so expect plenty of young players to be named in Adam Griffiths final team of the season.

Brendan Cholakian is the main man for Manly and their captain will play a big role if they are to snatch an upset.

It all comes down to this match for Wollongong so expect nothing less than a huge performance.

 

Rockdale Ilinden v North Shore Mariners, 3pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden can claim a historic first ever NPL NSW Men’s Premiership title this Sunday when they host North Shore Mariners at Ilinden Sports Centre.

All the Steve Zoric coached side need to do is match Wollongong’s result with a draw or win and the title is theirs.

It has been an incredible season for Rockdale which included a brilliant stretch at the start of the campaign where they went five games without conceding a goal.

The emergence of Tomoki Wada in the middle of the park has also been a major turning point for Rockdale with the Japanese import controlling the midfield and creating numerous chances.

In attack Alec Urosevski has for years been required to carry the responsibility of scoring for Rockdale, but in 2020 that hasn’t been the case with Nikola Taneski and Amaury Gauthier providing plenty of support upfront.

Looking to stop them is a North Shore side which is flying high after a shock 3-1 upset of Marconi in round 10.

The Mariners have flashed moments of brilliance all season but last week they were able to piece it all together in their best performance of the campaign.

Captain Chris Lindsay has put in his claim as the best free-kick taker in the competition with two stunning set-piece goals in as many weeks, while Nelson Pyl’s strike last week was a contender for goal of the season.

Rockdale will be favourites for this match and will leave nothing in the tank as they attempt to secure the premiership.

North Shore will try to be a thorn in their side but a repeat of their round 10 effort will be needed.

This game will likely decide who goes home as premier and is one not to be missed.

The four-team race for the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Premiership could be whittled down to two as Round 10 action takes place this weekend. 

The penultimate round of the regular season features two potential premiership deciders on Sunday as competition leaders Rockdale Ilinden travel to Sydney United 58, while fifth placed Sydney FC play host to second placed Wollongong Wolves.

Nothing less than a win will be an option in what is the closest premiership race in the competition’s recent history with five teams are still in the running to finish the season on top. 

The matches get underway with a triple header on Friday as Manly take on Mt Druitt at Cromer Park, Blacktown are at home against APIA Leichhardt and Marconi battles for a place in the finals against North Shore Mariners.

Finally, Sydney Olympic will take on Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday night as they look to stay in the premiership race.

You won’t want to miss a moment of the action, with every game streamed live on NPL.TV

 

Manly United FC v Mt Druitt Town Rangers, 7.30pm Friday at Cromer Park

Manly United will be determined to claim a win in their last home game of the season when they host Mt Druitt Town Rangers at Cromer Park on Friday night.

The boys from the Northern Beaches fought back to claim a draw against Marconi last week after a sublime finish from Brendan Cholakian.

The emergence of the side’s young players such as Luca Kmet, Marley Peterson, Jordan Devries and James Georgaklis has been a bright spot in what has been a season of mixed results.

Coach Adam Griffiths will be looking for another big performance from his rising stars this week.

They will be up against a Mt Druitt side which was on the wrong side of a 5-0 demolition from Sydney FC last week.

The Franco Cosentino coached side has been a competitive outfit all season and will be looking to take maximum points from their final two games.

Rangers captain Carlos Saliadarre has been a star performer in goals all season and will be called on to lead from the back once again.

It is set to be an open contest and could go down to the wire.

 

Blacktown City v APIA Leichhardt, 7.30pm Friday at Lily Homes Stadium

Blacktown City will be out to make it back to back wins for the first time this season when they host APIA Leichhardt at Lily Homes Stadium on Friday.

It was a massive return to form from City in Round 9 as they stunned premiership hopefuls Sydney United 58 5-1.

Leroy Jennings was the star of the show for the Seven Hills based side scoring a sublime hat trick in the win.

Rhett Desilva was another player who wowed the fans after scoring a thunderous strike from range.

Both players will be ones to watch this week against a leaky APIA defence.

APIA come into the contest after a thrilling 3-2 loss to Rockdale and will be out to finish a season of struggles with a win.

Hardman Paul Galimi marked his return to the starting line-up in style with a goal last week and will be out to build on that performance against Blacktown.

Themba Muata-Marlow was another key defender who has made a recent return to the side and will be needed if APIA are to take home the win.

Both sides have had their struggles during the rebooted season, but this game will be a chance to put a positive spin on what has been a hard campaign for their players and fans alike.

 

Marconi Stallions v North Shore Mariners, 8pm Friday at Marconi Stadium

Marconi Stallion’s finals hopes go on the line as they host a gritty North Shore Mariners on Friday night at Marconi Stadium.

The Stallions are two points outside the top five and will need to win at least one of their last two matches if they are going to play in the postseason.

A draw last round against Manly was a frustrating result for the Peter Tsekenis coached side and he will be urging his players to rediscover their scoring touch.

Marko Jesic has been in fine touch upfront for Marconi but he will need support from his teammates if they are to return to their free-scoring ways.

Injuries have plagued Tsekenis’ men but they still have the likes of keeper Nenad Vekic, Anthony Costa, Connor Evans, James Andrew, Anthony Frangie, Martin Fernandez and Nathan Millgate to guide them through to a hopeful Finals Series finish.

Looking to stop them will be a Mariners team who last round held premiership contenders Sydney Olympic to a 1-1 draw.

It was a dogged performance from the Mariners highlighted by a sublime Chris Lindsay free-kick.

The Mariners will be determined to avoid the wooden spoon and will be out to make life difficult for the teams battling at the top end of the table.

Mitchell Smith will lead the team up-front and he will hope to add a couple more goals to his impressive goalscoring tally.

Marconi will be favourites at home but it won’t be easy going against a determined North Shore team.

 

Sydney Olympic v Western Sydney Wanderers, 7pm Saturday at Lambert Park

It’s crunch time for Sydney Olympic in the race for the Premiership as they host Western Sydney Wanderers at Lambert Park on Saturday night.

Olympic sits in fourth place, three points behind ladder leaders Rockdale, and will need to win both of their remaining matches to give them the best shot of finishing the regular season in first place.

A frustrating 1-1 draw against North Shore Mariners last week was a difficult result for Olympic to swallow, but they must bounce back and rediscover their attacking prowess when they take on the Wanderers.

Look to experienced strikers Fabio Ferreira and Charles Lokolingoy to lead the charge as the Ante Juric coached outfit battles to keep their Premiership hopes alive while Hagi Gligor continues to find his old self with some good performances in midfield.

Looking to stop them is a Western Sydney Outfit which has developed a penchant for challenging the competition’s best.

Central defender Tass Mourdoukoutas has held his own against the A-League’s best strikers and will be tasked with marking up against Olympic’s star frontline.

Fellow defender Mohamed Al Taay has also been solid for the Red and Black’s and he will need to be at his best to thwart out any Blues attack.

The Wanderers have some skilful attacking stars of their own in Rory Jordan, Peter Grozos and Ali Auglah.

Olympic will go into the match as favourites but the Wanderers will push them for the full 90 minutes.

 

Sydney United 58 v Rockdale Ilinden, 3pm Sunday at Sydney United Sports Centre

Sydney United Sports Centre will be host to a possible Premiership decider as Sydney United 58 go up against Rockdale Ilinden on Sunday.

United 58 led the competition before a horror 5-1 loss to Blacktown City last round which dropped them down to third on the ladder, two points behind new leaders Rockdale.

It was the first major slip-up in over month for The Reds who had previously seemed unflappable as they headed towards a premiership title.

However, last week’s major slip up means they will need to win on Sunday if they have any chance of finishing the season on top.

Patrick Antelmi continued his brilliant scoring run despite defeat last week and will again be an integral player in United 58’s chances.

Yianni Perkatis is another to keep an eye on as he pulls the strings from midfield.

For Rockdale the match is a chance to stretch their lead at the top of the competition and move one step closer to a historic title.

Their 3-2 win last week against bogey side APIA Leichhardt proved coach Steven Zoric has helped his players take their game to a new level.

Tomoki Wada has etched an important role in the centre of the park for Rockdale and will be the key player for them in this contest.

Alec Urosevski’s late winner after coming on as a substitute was another incredible showing from the talismanic striker, who for years has been the main man at Ilinden Sports Centre.

This game has so much riding on it so expect a finals-like atmosphere on the pitch.

Neither side is going to give any less than their best with a possible premiership on the line.

If you can only catch one game this week – make sure it is this one. You won’t want to miss it.

 

Sydney FC v Wollongong Wolves, 3.45pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre

Premiership hopes go on the line on Sunday as Sydney FC host Wollongong Wolves at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

Fifth placed Sydney FC are four points off the pace and must win their next two games if they are to pull off an incredible premiership run.

After a period of frustrating results, the Young Sky Blues returned to form last week with a 5-0 domination of Mt Druitt.

Thomas Fay scored a brilliant hat trick in the win, while Jordi Swibel claimed a brace.

The form of Sydney’s young strikers including current Golden Boot leader Patrick Wood is one of the side’s strengths at this crunch time of the season.

They come up against the second placed Wollongong Wolves who are n a campaign to win the premiership for the second straight year.

A hard fought 1-0 win against Western Sydney last week helped them claim a vital three points and keep the pressure on competition leaders Rockdale Ilinden.

Josh Bingham had made a slow start to his time at the Wolves, but the striker has found form when it matters most as proven by his match winning goal last week.

The pressure will be on him and Thomas James to take the match to the youthful Sydney FC defence.

With so much riding on this game neither side can afford to lose.

It is set to be a blockbuster.

It’s Round 9 in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition and it’s crunch time in the race for the Premiership.

With only three games to play, there are still six teams in contention to finish the rebooted regular season on top making every match a potential premiership decider.

The week’s action gets underway on Friday night with Blacktown City FC hosting competition leaders Sydney United 58.

A triple header will take place on Saturday starting with Marconi Stallions at home against Manly United FC.

Saturday will also feature Sydney Olympic up against North Shore Mariners and Mt Druitt taking on Sydney FC.

Western Sydney Wanderers will travel to take on Wollonong Wolves this Sunday before Rockdale will go head to head with APIA Leichhardt in the final match of the round.

 

Blacktown City FC v Sydney United 58 FC, 7.30 pm Friday at Lily Homes Stadium.

Blacktown City will be out to prove they have turned a corner with victory against league leaders Sydney United 58 on Friday.

It has been a horror campaign for City who linger in second last place, but last week’s win against Manly has given hope they have rediscovered their magic touch.

In that match it was a pair of first half goals courtesy of captain Matt Lewis and striker Suleyman Bangura which was the difference as Blacktown made the most of their fast start to the match.

It will take a similar recipe if City are to pull off an upset this week, with early goals from the attack of Leroy Jennings, Hassan Jalloh and Charles Mendy needed to shake the usually unflappable United 58 defence.

United 58 come into this game in impressive form winning their last four matches to fly to the top of the table.

Striker Patrick Antelmi has proven unstoppable with six goals in only four games.

However, it is United 58’s dynamic midfield of Yianni Perkatis, Matt Sim and Glen Trifiro which has been the real powerhouse behind the club’s recent success.

The trio’s combination to set up Antelmi last week in the 2-1 win against Marconi is the perfect example of how easy they can dismantle a well organised defence.

United 58 will go in to this match as overwhelming favourites, but don’t write off Blacktown as they will be determined to put a spanner in the works of their rival’s premiership aspirations.

 

Marconi Stallions v Manly United FC, 4 pm Saturday at Marconi Stadium

A bounce back win will be on the agenda for Marconi Stallions when they host Manly United at Marconi Stadium on Saturday.

The Stallions went down 2-1 to rivals Sydney United 58 last week which put a big dent in their chase for the premiership.

However, The Peter Tsekenis coached side are only five points behind the ladder leaders and will believe they can win all of their remaining games to snatch an unlikely title triumph.

This game will be all about how fast Marconi can take advantage of a young Manly defence with attackers Anthony Frangie, Marko Jesic and Mitch Mallia key to their success.

Nathan Millgate has been a solid performer in the backline for Marconi in recent weeks and will provide a stable platform for the team to build off.

Their opponents are a Manly United team which has struggled for consistency as demonstrated in last week’s 2-1 defeat against a struggling Blacktown City outfit.

The boys from the Northern Beaches have shown they are capable of bringing it against the league’s best but are equally capable of conceding important goals at the worst possible occasion.

Captain Brendan Cholakian has for many years been one of the most dynamic midfield players in the competition and his recent form has only reinforced that.

He will need to lead from the front if Manly are to cause an upset along with young gun attacker Marley Peterson.

Marconi will be favourites for this clash but their own lapses in concentration this season could open the door for Manly if they are not careful.

 

Sydney Olympic v North Shore Mariners, 7 pm Saturday at Lambert Park

Nothing less than three points will be considered an acceptable result when Sydney Olympic host bottom side North Shore Mariners on Saturday night.

After leading the competition going into last round, Olympic now sits in third spot after a 1-0 defeat against Wollongong Wolves.

The pressure is on coach Ante Juric and his Olympic team to make a statement this round with a big win.

This match is a chance for the attacking trio of Fabio Ferreira, Charles Lokolingoy and Adam Parkhouse to shine.

Standing in their way is a Mariners side which has shown marked improvement as the season has progressed, but still linger at the foot of the table.

The form of Mitchell Smith has been a bright spot this campaign for the Mariners and they will rely on him to add to his goal tally this round.

This match could be a one sided affair but if the Mariners dig in and frustrate Olympic early they could be in with a shot of pulling off one of the upsets of the season.

 

Mt Druitt Town Rangers v Sydney FC, 7 pm Saturday at Popondetta Park

Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be out to end Sydney FC’s finals hopes when the two sides face off this Staurday night at Popondetta Park.

The Rangers are coming off a 1-0 loss to APIA Leichhardt but a return home should be the perfect remedy as they push for a bounce back win.

Club Captain Carlos Saliadarre has been a rock for Mt Druitt in between the posts this season and the club captain will be up for another big game this week.

The possible return of John Roberts, who missed out last week, could be the difference maker for the Rangers with his dynamic play up front likely to test the inexperienced Sydney FC defence.

The Young Sky Blues have hit a few hurdles in recent matches which has seen them drop from first down to sixth on the ladder.

They remain only five points off top spot and will be pushing hard for at least a maiden finals berth.

The combination of Patrick Wood and Antonio Saracino at the top of the attack will be key if Sydney are to take all three points.

Mt Druitt has proven a tough side to beat this season and Sydney FC will need to rediscover their early season magic if they are to take all three points from this contents.

 

Wollongong Wolves v Western Sydney Wanderers, 2.30 pm Sunday at Albert Butler Memorial Park

Wollongong Wolves will be out to keep their premiership defence on track with a win against Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday.

The Wolves knocked off last week’s ladder leaders Sydney Olympic in a hard fought 1-0 victory to keep their title hopes alive and will be determined to keep the winning run going starting with the clash against the Wanderers.

Takeru Okada has quickly become a key cog in the Wolves side with his ability to both score and assist proving invaluable.

His service to strikers Josh Bingham and Thomas James will be imperative in this match and all of Wollongong’s remaining games – James in particular will be hungry to open his goalscoring account after missing from the spot against Olympic last weekend.

Defender Nick Littler should return to the side this week after serving his suspension following his red car in Round 7.

They face off this week against an exciting Western Sydney team which has shown they are more than capable of causing an upset.

Ali Auglah scored a brace last week in a 2-1 win against North Shore Mariners and he will be one to watch this week.

Rory Jordan is another player who has earned plenty of plaudits this season and offers the Wanderers a dynamic option in attack while Dean Pelekanos has been a warrior in midfield winning aerial battles and challenges keeping his team competitive.

Wollongong is arguably the toughest road trip in the competition and the Wolves have had an incredible home record because of this.

Western Sydney have shown they don’t give up and it could be this fighting spirit which helps them snatch an unlikely victory.

 

Rockdale Ilinden v APIA Leichhardt, 3 pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre

Rockdale Ilinden will be determined to put their horror record against APIA Leichhardt to bed when the two sides go head to head at Ilinden Sports Centre on Sunday.

APIA has been a bogey team for Rockdale for the past few seasons, but with a possible premiership on the line the Steven Zoric coached side will be more driven than ever to take all three points.

Rockdale are second on the ladder, only one point behind league leaders Sydney United 58.

Tomoki Wada will be key to victory in this match, with the Japanese import becoming arguably the most important player in Rockdale’s line up.

The dynamic midfielder has shown the full gamut of skills in the centre of the park as well as incredible game IQ as demonstrated with his sensational goal last round as he chipped the keeper from 45 yards out after some brilliant quick thinking.

The strike force of Amaury Gauthier, Alec Urosevski and Nikola Taneski have also been in fine form as have the defensive unit of Michael Neill and Daniel Petkovski.

Looking to stop them will be an APIA side which should be full of confidence after a narrow victory last week.

It has been a difficult season for the reigning champions and with finals all but out of the picture, APIA will be focused on ending their season on a high note.

Chris Payne was a tough customer for the Rangers defence last week and will be looking to test Rockdale’s backline.

He broke the deadlock last Friday and will be hoping to extend his goalscoring run.

The club is hoping to see more of its experienced stars return with Themba Muata-Marlow looking at getting back to the pitch after an injury layoff.

APIA will use their stunning winning record against Rockdale to give themselves a mental edge but they will need more than that if they are to snatch victory on Sunday.