Sydney United 58 FC stun Suns at the death to swoop into first place
Sydney United 58 FC scored a dramatic late comeback to secure three-points against Rockdale City Suns and shoot to the top of the League ladder after two rounds of the competition.
A home match, played away from home due to the laying of a new surface at Sydney United Sports Centre, the Reds put together a fine final 25’ minutes to confirm its intention of aiming for the top of the League this season.
Despite the win, the Reds were made to work hard after Luka Glavas’ opening goal was cancelled out by Richard Cardozo and then overwritten by Anthony Perri. Captain Glavas drew the Reds level late on from the penalty-spot before substitute Mirjan Pavlovic sealed the deal in the final minute of regular time.
Following a very warm day in Sydney the afternoon sun set, making conditions perfect for the start of this encounter. The opening exchanges saw a nervy opening spell, where both sides attempted to stamp some sort of authority in the middle of the park.
The Reds created the first chance of note for the evening. Mitchell Stamatellis’ well-played ball down the middle of the park, in the 5’ minute, allowed Chris Triantis to play a neat ‘dummy’ for Glen Trifiro who quickly laid the ball back to the former Sydney Olympic attacking midfielder. Triantis’ subsequent touch was top-notch, however his effort on goal carried a little too much punch, finishing well over Diego Barcena’s crossbar.
The Suns’ Uruguayan goalkeeper had an impressive first period, providing the Rockdale City rearguard with some additional confidence after a number of fine interventions.
Rockdale responded immediately at the other end though Max Burgess first, then Alec Urosevski, failed to move the ball quickly enough on the edge of the penalty-area to unleash a shot on goal.
On 10’ minutes, the Suns should have really taken the lead. Richard Cardozo’s in-swinging free-kick from the right-flank was only partially dealt with by Marko Bozic & Co. The rebound fell invitingly to Urosevski who, from near point-blank range, skied his snap-shot over the crossbar.
Despite Sydney United 58 FC’s best efforts to keep control of the ball in the middle of the park, Rockdale proved to be dangerous again in the 14’ minute. Burgess, again down the left, found some room to deliver a cross into the penalty-area for Cardozo, though Stamatellis managed a last ditch header to deny the striker a first-time volley on goal.
Calum O’Connell looked to get his striker’s in behind the Suns defence moments later, though his neat through ball for Robert Mileski was well read by Barcena who swiftly left his line.
The Reds did get behind the Rockdale City defence in the 18’ minute as Triantis released Mileski out of midfield before the latter played Glavas through on goal. With Barcena beckoning, Glavas took a heavy touch, however the linesman’s flag on the far side was correctly raised to halt the play.
Glavas was not to be denied 1’ minute later as he again got in behind his marker to go clear on goal. With complete ease, and exceptional coolness, Glavas tucked the ball underneath Barcena for the opening goal, much to the delight of the vocal Reds’ supporters.
Even though the Suns fell behind on the scoreboard, Branko Culina’s team continued to press forward and the side well-deserved its equaliser 2’ minutes later.
Paul Kohler’s delivery from the left picked out the head of Cardozo inside the penalty-area; the Suns’ new signing made no mistake in opening his season tally with a powerful finish.
At the other end, Triantis had Barcena at full-stretch from a set-piece. The Reds’ number 10 unleashed a perfectly weighted free-kick around the Suns’ wall, forcing Barcena into a tremendous save down to his left.
Rockdale City’s determination in the middle of the park paid further dividends in the 37’ minute when Perri and Urosevski combined to hit the Suns into the lead. The former played a tantalising through ball to send Urosevski through on goal; the young striker did exceptionally well to beat his marker and round the goalkeeper before appearing to lose his bearings inside the penalty-area.
With the ball still at his feet, Uroseveski crossed for Perri who hit his volley first-time into an open goal.
Sydney United’s response arrived via another set-piece, this time Trifiro forced Barcena into another fine save. The Reds number 18 delivered a sensational curling effort over the wall, denied only by a strong fist from the Suns’ shot-stopper who diverted the ball behind for a corner.
2’ minutes into first-half injury-time, new Suns defender Michael Cindric saw his looping header cleared off the line in his first match of the season – consequently against his former club.
Following the break, Rockdale City very nearly extended its lead. Urosevski used his pace down the right to centre to an unmarked Burgess however the delivery was only just over hit for the left-sided winger Burgess who failed to get a touch on the ball.
Despite Rockdale’s confidence, with the one-goal lead, Sydney United 58 FC continued to press in search of an equaliser. Trifiro went close again with another set-piece from the edge of the penalty-area, this time only just failing to dip the ball enough to hit the target.
Tempers flared just prior to the hour mark as Mileski and Cardozo collided in the middle of the park. The Reds attacking midfielder picked up a yellow card for his efforts as both sets of players vented their frustrations to the referee.
Sydney United 58 FC’s best efforts arrived via the feet of Triantis and Trifiro in the middle of the park, with the two arguably forging a strong partnership – even at this early stage of the season.
Coach Mark Rudan opted to add Mirjan Pavlovic after the hour mark – replacing a, much quieter than we are used to, Yuchi Yamauchi. The change almost made an immediate effect as Glavas combined with his new strike partner to carve out a fine goal scoring chance. The Reds captain cut back a precise ball from the left byline, picking up Pavlovic who sent his first-time toe-poke inches wide of goal.
Rockdale City looked to put the result beyond the Reds’ reach on 71’ minutes as an Anthony Perri free-kick was floated into the penalty-area. A scramble followed, though the lunging attempt by Adam Casey saw the ball finish over the crossbar.
On 79’ minutes, Brendan Gan created a yard of space to unleash on goal. The former Sydney FC player seemed to have goalkeeper Marko Bozic beaten, though the shot lacked the accuracy to ruffle the back of the net.
The Reds had the chance to draw level in the 81’ minute when referee Mr. James Lewis awarded the ‘home side’ a penalty. Pavlovic’s fine cut-back from the left byline was too much for Askin Oygur; the burly defender fouling the striker and the spot-kick was correctly assigned.
Captain Luka Glavas made no mistake from the spot, sending Marko Bozic the wrong way with a calmly taken penalty.
With the Suns players’ hearts shattered, Sydney United 58 FC managed to find a late dramatic winner for the second consecutive weekend. Daniel Barac’s involvement inside the penalty-area allowed Pavlovic to pick up the loose ball and volley home past Barcena to seal the win.
Following the match, a relieved Mark Rudan was full of praise for the fighting spirit shown by his players:
“That is why I love these guys so much – it is the fighting spirit that they all have and tonight I am very pleased, and proud, of the efforts that all the boys put in to get back into the match and find a late winner,” expressed Rudan.
“Part of the job is to recruit, and I know a lot of these players were offered to other clubs prior to the season starting. I am happy these boys decided to stay and join our club, and it shows that they believe in our goal and what we are looking to achieve.”
Rockdale City Suns striker Richard Cardozo was visibly disappointed following the match:
“Up until the final 20’ minutes I thought we were looking good, we even had chances to bury the game, though we didn’t take those chances and it cost us.
“Up until their second goal, they started to push more though I believe that the goal hurt us. In the build-up to the penalty, there was a handball that should have been awarded in our favour, instead they went forward and won the penalty.
“No doubt about the penalty, it was clear, though we are disappointed not to have taken something from this match.
“Playing under Branko Culina has been great, I have been enjoying it and so have the boys – it is a pity we couldn’t get something tonight, unfortunately.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 3 (Luka Glavas 19’, 82’ (pen), Mirjan Pavlovic 90’ )
Rockdale City Suns 2 (Richard Cardozo 21’, Anthony Perri 37’ )
Sunday 24th March, 2013
Jensen Park, Sefton
Referee: James Lewis
Assistant Referees: Alex Long and Keith Yau
Fourth Official: Nathan Roberts
Sydney United 58 FC: 1.Marko Bozic; 11.Luka Glavas (C), 12.Tomislav Herceg, 9.Robert Mileski, 5.Calum O’Connell, 2.Mitchell Speer, 6.Mitchell Stamatellis, 15.Anthony Tomelic (16.Stepjan Paric 70’), 10.Chris Triantis (22.Daniel Barac 85’), 18.Glen Trifiro, 8.Yuchi Yamauchi (7.Mirjan Pavlovic 62’)
Substitutes Not Used: 41.John Dimitrakas, 23.Ante Tomic
Yellow Cards: Robert Mileski 59’, Calum O’Connell 65’, Mitchell Stamatellis 70’, Stepjan Paric 73’, Daniel Barac 90’+4’
Red Cards: Nil
Rockdale City Suns: 1.Diego Barcena; 10.Richard Cardozo, 5.Brendan Gan, 8.Paul Kohler, 13.Sam Munro, 6.Takuya Murayama, 23.Askin Oygur (20.Roberto Speranza 90’+2’), 16.Anthony Perri (11.David Talevski 83’), 18.Alec Urosevski, 15.Max Burgess (17.Adam Casey 62’), 4.Michael Cindric
Substitutes Not Used: 2.Tom Collins, 22.Aaron Liddell
Yellow Cards: Max Burgess 33’, Askin Oygur 50’, Brendan Gan 75’, 17.Adam Casey 87’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Luka Glavas (SU58FC)
2 – Glen Trifiro (SU58FC)
1 – Diego Barcena (RCS)
-By Joseph Carlucci
