Blues and Sharks draw blanks
Sydney Olympic and Sutherland Sharks both fought tooth and nail for maximum points on Sunday afternoon at Belmore Sports Ground though despite both sides carving out look-ins on goal, neither managed to breach their opponents goal, instead settling for a share of the spoils in the 0-0 draw.
The two sides met on Wednesday evening in the Waratah Cup quarterfinal encounter at Seymour Shaw, where the Sharks triumphed 4-3, though the goals were not free-flowing this time around.
Luke Grima squandered a golden chance after only 60’’ seconds on the clock. A fabulous, powerful, run by William Angel down the left saw the winger deliver a difficult to deal with cross into the centre. A poor first touch by a Sharks defender played the ball perfectly into the path of Grima who, in fairness was caught unawares, struck his first-time effort wide past Nathan Denham’s right-hand post.
Sutherland’s ball players in the middle of the park looked to get momentum on their own side as Panni Nikas in particular, under the very watchful eye of the Blues’ markers, swiveled his way past two markers before winning his side a free-kick moments later.
Nikas’ 12’ minute set-piece delivery from deep, to the back post, was pin-point though no Sharks player was quick enough to make a last ditch foray to meet the delivery.
The Blues responded with Grima going even closer than his previous attempt. A fine first touch on the edge of the penalty-area, giving him the space to open some space away from his marker, gave the striker a look-in on goal – his fine low-driven effort appeared to have goal written all over it, if not for a fabulous diving save by Denham down to his left.
The home side maintained the pressure in the front third as Angel capitalised on a coughed up ball by Reo Morinaga. The speedy number 11 took the ball wide, and onto his left boot, before drilling a powerful effort into the side netting.
Despite the Blues pressure keeping the ball in the front-third, the Sharks were still a menace on the counterattack. Nick Stavroulakis combined with Morinaga to have the Blues defenders stretching to their left – some scrambling in the end proved enough to thwart any danger from Morinaga’s delivery from the right flank.
On 23’ minutes Matthew Gordon tested Blues goalkeeper Paul Henderson from distance. The low-driven effort carried some power though was no real challenge for Henderson who got down well to claim.
Both sides continued to test each other out in the middle of the park with the two sides boasting two very impressive midfield lines. Stavroulakis and McMaster combined well to provide Nikas with space to move forward for the Sharks, meanwhile the Blues were constantly dangerous with Kingsley Williams and Troy Danaskos feeding Angel on the left, and Grima upfront with some good ball possession.
Right-sided defender Petar Markovic got forward for a Blues corner on 33’ minutes, picking up the scraps following a Sharks attempted clearance before hitting his volley into the arms of Denham – the shot-stopper needed to move quickly to get back on his line and make the save.
Sutherland’s response arrived via a venomous drive by Nathan Elasi on the edge of the penalty-area in the 40’ minute. Following some neat ball movement by Nikas and McMaster, Elasi opened up some space before drilling a shot on target, stinging the palms of Henderson who captured the ball at the second attempt after spilling the initial effort.
The visitors had perhaps its best chance of the opening period dissipate in the final minute of the half. A counterattack, initiated superbly by McMaster, saw Elasi with space out on the right. The winger delivered a fine cross that only just missed the head of striker Brad Boardman, with the ball falling to Gordon at the back post. Gordon’s first touch was a little heavy, and consequently made his shot-turn-cross very difficult to control as the ball finished over the goal line.
Following the re-start, both sides returned to the playing surface with some renewed enthusiasm, both sets of players keen on putting their foot down firmly on the accelerator. Klim Gjorseski, one player in particular looking full of energy with some good ball possession and endless running to get the half off to a good start.
Gjorseski won his side a free-kick on 53’ minutes following a swift counterattack, orchestrated once more by McMaster. Gjorseski used his speed and silky skills to weave his way past his markers before going to ground under the challenge of two Sydney Olympic defenders. The Sharks decision to take a quick free-kick though saw the chance amount to nothing as Henderson claimed the ball calmly to annul any danger.
Sydney Olympic’s response arrived via the feet of Angel who used his pace to cover some ground before cutting in from the left onto his right foot and sending his long-range attempt well over the crossbar.
The Blues’ supporters were on their feet in the 59’ minute as Chris Godoy Bascur showed some exceptional skill to dribble past his marker and create an opening for Grima down the right. Grima, still with a lot of work to do once inside the penalty-area, used his body well to overcome his marker, though his powerful drive on goal was blocked by some desperate Sharks defenders who put their bodies on the line to clear the danger.
Sydney Olympic went close again 4’ minutes later, this time Grima was the provider. The number 9’s exquisite chip pass into the path of Zak Elrich gave the young Blues’ midfielder the chance to shoot from inside the penalty-area. Elrich’s attempt packed a mighty punch, though the ball failed to dip enough instead finishing over the crossbar.
The Blues supporters’ hearts were in their mouths on 68’ minutes as Bradley Treloar uncharacteristically handballed on the edge of the penalty-area. Nikas stepped up to take the free-kick, curling his effort over the wall though failing, only just, to get enough bend on the attempt as the ball skimmed the top of the crossbar.
On 75’ minutes, Moustakas rose highest to head Nikas’ corner delivery from the right. The youngster’s attempt was destined for the top corner if not for a goal line save by a Blues defender.
The Sharks final onslaught was made all the more difficult when Jamie McMaster was shown, somewhat unluckily, his second yellow card of the afternoon, bringing to end his more than positive contribution.
The numerical advantage saw the Blues players find an extra stride in their step as Angel looked to capitalise with his pace down the left, denied only by some exceptionally well organised defending.
Angel was heavily involved, unleashing a shot on goal, in the 84’ minute that saw a scramble ensued inside the penalty-area. Elrich was in the thick of the action though the youngster couldn’t get a touch to divert the ball into the goal as the Sharks defenders cleared the ball away to safety.
At the other end, Sutherland substitute Nik Tsattalios very nearly found the break through himself as he tried his luck from distance in the 87’ minute. The Sharks’ number 33 hit his effort with power, though failed to hit the target as Henderson watched the ball finish wide of his goal.
Sydney Olympic substitute James Demetriou had the last say in the 92’ minute as he was played through behind the Sharks defence. From an acute angle Demetriou attempted to blast his effort on goal, however the ball finishing well over Denham’s crossbar.
Sydney Olympic coach Grant Lee was pleased with his side’s efforts against the highly rated Sharks:
“If you consider that this Sutherland side has been together for a few years now, and they are sitting amongst the top-two on the ladder, I guess the result today was a positive one for us,” explained Lee.
“I thought we were good value today, we created a number of chances, held some good possession and limited them in-terms of chances.
“I do feel we had a bit more than them today, and maybe should have taken the win, though it is an important point for us that keeps us amongst the top-five,” Lee ended.
Sutherland Sharks coach Robbie Stanton believed the result was a fair on at the end of the 90’ minutes:
“Sydney Olympic is a really well organised side, they made it difficult for us and they are coming off a few good weeks,” Stanton said.
“I didn’t think we were great today, though I don’t think either side created clear chances to be honest.
“I am pleased that we remained well organised, especially after going down a man, so in all it is an important point for us, irrespective of Bonnyrigg’s loss at Blacktown Spartans last night,” concluded Stanton.
Match Stats
Sydney Olympic 0
Sutherland Sharks 0
Sunday 9th of June, 2013
Belmore Sports Ground
Referee: Tim McGilchrist
Assistant Referees: Glen Peterkin and Byron Jaye
Fourth Official: Benjamin Abrahim
Sydney Olympic: 1.Paul Henderson (C); 5.Bradley Treloar, 6.Marton Vass, 8.Kingsley Williams, 9.Luke Grima (21.James Demetriou 77’), 11.William Angel, 12.Troy Danaskos, 14.Petar Markovic, 15.Zakeriya Elrich, 19.Christopher Godoy Bascur, 22.Amaury Gauthier
Substitutes Not Used: 23.Luke Kairies, 46.Michael Cindric, 29.Brayden Sorge
Yellow Cards: William Angel 39’
Red Cards: Nil
Sutherland Sharks: 1.Nathan Denham; 2.Nicholas Littler, 6.Matthew Gordon, 7.Nathan Elasi, 9.Brad Boardman (33.Nik Tsattalios 60’), 10.Jamie McMaster, 13.Reo Morinaga, 14.Nick Stavroulakis (C), 15.Perry Moustakas, 17.Klim Gjorseski, 23.Panni Nikas
Substitutes Not Used: 22.Andrew Depta, 3.Michael Stuart, 4.James McKenzie, 19.Chris Naumoff
Yellow Cards: Jamie McMaster 48’, 79’, Perry Moustakas 85’
Red Cards: Jamie McMaster 79’
-By Joseph Carlucci
