Blacktown Spartans stun Sydney United to book Quarter-Final berth
The game finished 1-1, after 90? minutes, though the Spartans took out the match on penalties with Haramis, Stevenson, Macrae and McPherson all converting their spot kicks for the home-side, though only Markovic, Veleski and Tomic scoring for United – Cindric and Strogylos the unlucky two players to miss their attempts
A disjointed effort in attack from Sydney United in the first-half, combined with a heroic defensive effort from Blacktown Spartans, saw United come into the break only one goal up.
The Reds had started strongly with shots from Bosnar and Pavlovic, then in the 9? minute, the ball went down the right-flank and was cut in to Markovic who had a strong shot parried away by goalkeeper Saliadarre – a former United player. The ball headed straight back into the path of Markovic who was fouled as he lined up to shoot a second time. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Jenner lined up to take it. Saliadarre saved the penalty only for the referee ask for it to be retaken for an infringement by the Spartan players. At the second attempt, Jenner made no mistake, going the same way and sliding the ball under the diving goalkeeper.
For Sydney United all seemed to be going to their plan as in the 13? minute a Jenner cross fell to Pavlovic. The away bench were disappointed to see that chance go to waste as he headed the ball just wide of the base of the post. For Pavlovic it would not be his only chance to score in the half as he was denied time and again ? 27? minute, 29?, and 45? minute – by either the defence or the goalkeeper. The most disappointing was the 45? minute effort when two Blacktown defenders tripped up on the ball and it landed in the path of Pavlovic and put him one-on-one with the keeper, though Saliadarre was good enough to parry the ball away from point-blank range.
This was not to say the Spartans were not completely without their own chances. In the 12? minute Iredale?s shot went wide of the post, and Macrae saw his shot easily saved by Akilli in the 28? minute.
In the 36? minute, McPherson was played through by Infanti, but he was dispossessed as he tried to shoot in the area. A lot of Spartan?s play in the first-half had come from Omankoy down the left, and just after the hour he could have put his side on level terms. McPherson had played the ball from the centre of the park out to Macrae on the left and he laid it back to Omankoy who curled the ball wide of the post when it was harder to miss than score.
A minute later at the other end Saliadarre was at it again. This time an Ivo Bosnar free-kick was flicked on by Markovic?s head only for the Spartan custodian to tip over his crossbar.
In the 67? minute, Tomic?s powerful shot along the ground was saved by Saliadarre at full stretch, with the keeper even having enough sense of mind to get up and recover the loose ball.
Over the next period it was Blacktown Spartans who dominated and, on the balance of the second-half, it was really no shock in the 80? minute when Sahni ran down the left and crossed the ball over to Iredale who turned on the ball and easily fired home the equaliser.
Blacktown was now on a roll and a minute later it was only Akilli who denied them a lead for the first time in the match. Right on full time Veleski went down in the area but this time cries for a penalty were waved away by the referee.
In the extra-time period, again United started strongly with both Cindric and Veleski presented opportunities early on.
In the 101? minute Sahni nearly flicked home the ball from a free-kick but Akilli denied him. Then a minute later a Bosnar shot from distance was blocked by a defender, typifying United?s progress during that period of the game.
In the 112? minute McPherson almost put his side in-front but his half volley bounced just over the crossbar. 2? minutes later he had three unmarked on his left but tried to shoot and the ball was collected by Akilli. A minute from time Wilson nearly scored for Blacktown but the space he had in the penalty-area was quickly closed down by the United defence.
Right on full time Zorbas received his marching orders after picking up his second yellow card of the match, both cards for pulling at jumpers.
With the game locked up it went to penalties and Spartans came out in front. Spartan coach Ben de Haan said:
?It was a spirited effort…what more can I say? I got 100% from every single player. This is unbelievable, I could not be happier, this result is all about, and all for, the boys.?
In the other dressing room David Zdrilic was obviously disappointed:
?I am disappointed as we had our chances but did not take them and let them back into the game. It was like the first round all over again although at that time we could turn it around, but not tonight.?
Match Stats
Blacktown Spartans 1 (Iredale 80?)
Sydney United 1 (Jenner 9?)
Blacktown Spartans win 4-3 on penalties
Tuesday 27th May 2010
Francis Park
Crowd: 150 Approx.
Referee: David Morris
Assistant Referees: Greg Clarke and Robert Warry
Blacktown Spartans: 17.Canessa; 14.Cornett (3.Stevenson 24?), 6.Hubbard (10.Sahni 68?) (13.Horner 117?), 16.Infanti (4.Walker 70?), 9.Iredale, 18.Macrae, 11.McPherson, 15.Romero (7.Haramis 90?), 1.Saliadarre, 8.Wilson, 2.Omankoy
Yellow Cards: Hubbard 66? Canessa 108?
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United: 20.Akilli, 11.Thompson (37.Spears 70?), 7.Brodie (22.Zorbas 98?), 4.Cindric, 26.Strogylos, 21.Mitchell (39.Cirjak 98?), 23.Bosnar, 19.Tomic, 14.Markovic, 25.Pavlovic (31.Bajramovic 45?), 45.Jenner (42.Veleski 60?)
Yellow Cards: Tomic 81?, Bajramovic 90?, Spears 108?, Zorbas 118?, 120?
Red Cards: Zorbas 120?
-By Stuart Jones
