Ozbey strike sinks disappointing Demons
Sydney Olympic started the match on the back foot with superstar goalkeeper Mark Bosnich making a late withdrawal due to a slight hamstring injury, giving young goalkeeper Zain Zanelli the chance to make his debut in first grade.
And, the young goalkeeper was almost embarrassed in the 4? minute as a curling corner by the Demons went over his head and luckily past the far post for a goal kick.
The game then turned into a tight midfield battle with both teams showing early signs of nerves providing a sloppy game on a chilly Saturday night.
Blacktown City were then in great position to take the lead in the 9? minute, however as Luke Casserly pushed up down the right-flank to deliver a pin-point cross to the advancing Akwasi who should have done better to finish off a good chance.
Unfortunately for Sydney Olympic, inspirational captain Peter Zorbas had to be substituted in the 11? minute after being in a rough tackle and coming off second best, with former Sydney FC youth captain Chris Triantis taking his place.
Blacktown continued to pester an unsettled Olympic, working the ball around the park in great fashion, however lacking the final touch needed to take the lead.
Blacktown?s positive midfield work all fell apart in the 34? minute as Sydney Olympic took the lead.
Closing in the Blacktown defence in the left-hand corner, Sydney Olympic top goal scorer Matthew Mayora won the ball and released the ball to Ozbey just before being tackled by a Blacktown defender.
A quick first touch opened up the angle, allowing Ozbey to beautifully strike the ball into the bottom right-hand corner to give Olympic the 1-0 lead.
6? minutes later and Blacktown could have easily equalised however the post denied their chance.
After clearing a Sydney Olympic corner, former Central Coast Mariners youth team player Matt Lewis was released down the left touch line who gave a great through ball to the free Adam Kwasnik.
With Kwasnik running to goal and the Sydney Olympic defence dropping quickly, the A-League striker had no choice but to shoot from outside the box. Unfortunately for the Mariners player, his shot from outside of the boot beat the goalkeeper but struck the outside of the left hand upright and went out for a goal kick.
The second-half began with a change for each side, Akwasi coming off for Brendan Maroney for the Demons and Matthew Mayora succumbing to a corked thigh, making way for Iain Ramsey.
And only 3? minutes in the change for the Demons began working. Great lead up play allowed Adam Kwasnik the chance to put the ball through to Joel Chianese who saw a clever shot go just wide of Zanelli?s right post.
A free-kick awarded to Blacktown again gave them the chance to equalise in the 53? minute, however a poor shot by Luke Casserly saw the chance go begging again.
Sydney Olympic then started playing clever football again getting the better of the midfield battle and creating more chances as the game began opening up.
Sloppy play on the left by Blacktown allowed Tolgay Ozbey to release Iain Ramsey on the left flank. Entering the penalty-area, Ramsey crossed for Ozbey, however Michael Herbet came out well to save the ball and Blacktown.
Blacktown was again awarded a free kick following a sloppy Cindric tackle in the 81? minute. Daniel Wilkinson this time hit the target however went straight down the throat of the waiting Zanelli who was having a great debut in goals for Olympic.
Most of his help however came from the great work of Peter McPherson in the middle for Olympic as he blocked a number of shooting opportunities allowing Zanelli to not be pressured.
In the final minutes of the game both teams had chances to score, however all fell to no avail in some great and disappointing football.
Anthony Hartshorn first won the ball on the left for the Olympic as he put through Tolgay Ozbey on goal.
In a complete change for Ozbey instead of shooting at the last minute he cut the ball back for an oncoming attacker, however Paul Karbon was well back to clear the ball.
From the opposing clearance a great through ball from the back release Tyler Simpson pushing up for the Demons. One-on-one with the goalkeeper, Simpson had the chance to equalise for the Demons however Zanelli came off his line in great fashion, spreading his body well and getting down to deny the defender and keep the result at 1-0 to Olympic.
Following the match, Mattthew Mayora spoke of Sydney Olympic?s injuries:
?We were a bit unlucky with injuries tonight. I got a cork above my knee, Zorby (Perter Zorbas) got injured as well, Mark Bosnich had a twinge in his hamstring and Iain Ramsey was sick all week with the bug so we are happy to get the win tonight. ?We should all be ok for next week and keep aiming for the top five.?
Match Stats
Blacktown City Demons 0
Sydney Olympic 1 (Tolgay Ozbey 34?)
Saturday, 4th of July, 2009
Gabbie Stadium, Seven Hills
Referee: Gerard Parsons
Assistant Referees: Scott Edeling and Matthew Colquhoun
Crowd: 150 Approx.
Blacktown City Demons: 1.Michael Herbet; 2.Tyler Simpson, 3.Paul Karbon, 4.Luka Dukic (Ben Ellis 75′), 5.Daniel Wilkinson, 6.Luke Casserly (C), 8.Chris Bedzo (Gavin Forbes 60′), 17.Joel Chianese, 18.Agyei Akwasi (Brendan Maroney 46′), 19.Adam Kwasnik, 29.Matt Lewis
Substitutions Not Used: 40. Brody Crane, 11. Keiran Paull
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney Olympic: 1.Zain Zanelli; 3.Emmanuel Zunino, 4.Mirko Jurijl, 5.Michael Cindric, 6.Emmanuel Giannaros, 7.Peter McPherson, 10.Anthony Doumanis, 11.Tolgay Ozbey, 15.Matthew Mayora (Iain Ramsay 46′) (Anthony Hartshorn 82′), 19.Ken Chun, 22.Peter Zorbas (C) (Chris Triantis 12′)
Substitutions Not Used: 8. Paul Wither
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
-By Chris Georgakopoulos
