IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 Finals Series Round 3 Preview
Sydney United 58 FC and Rockdale City Suns will be playing for a shot at Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the grand final this season when they meet on Sunday.
Two in-form sides, playing some beautiful football, promise to provide a tremendous afternoon of football at Sydney United Sports Centre this weekend.
Sydney United 58 FC v Rockdale City Suns, Sunday 8th of September, 3:30 pm Sydney United Sports Centre
Last Week:
Sydney United 58 FC 1 Bonnyrigg White Eagles 1 (BWE won 5-3 on penalties)
Sutherland Sharks 1 Rockdale City Suns 2
2013 encounters:
Rd 2: Sydney United 58 FC 3 Rockdale City Suns 2
Rd 13: Rockdale City Suns 2 Sydney United 58 FC 3
It is all or nothing for Sydney United 58 FC and Rockdale City Suns this Sunday afternoon in Edensor Park where the two sides will plead their respective cases for a crack at Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the 2013 grand final.
Both the Reds and Suns have enjoyed marvellous seasons to-date; Mark Rudan’s Reds claimed the Premiership trophy in the final round of the competition, meanwhile Branko Culina’s Suns have gone from strength-to-strength, securing a historic Preliminary Final showdown this weekend.
The Reds start as favourite with the side having already scored two wins over Rockdale City this season, all in the while holding home ground advantage for this live rubber.
Rockdale City Suns, however, will not be overawed by the occasion with the side having already disposed of Sutherland Sharks, at Seymour Shaw, last weekend to win through to this stage.
The Suns will be looking at Paul Reid to lead by example in the middle of the park. The experienced campaigner was brilliant with his ball winning ability, matched equally by his fine distribution and energy in the middle of the park.
The Suns possess a steady backline with the likes of Giorgio Speranza and Takuya Murayama expected to get forward down both flanks. In the front-third, Rockdale City does possess some great firepower with Richard Cardozo well assisted by the likes of Alec Urosevski and Brendan Gan. Last weekend’s hero was Nikola Taneski. The mid-season signing netted both the Suns goals, and more of his fine movement in behind the Reds defenders will be required this weekend if the side is to pull off one of the major upsets of 2013.
The impressive Reds will be expected to wear the Suns down this weekend, and with the calibre of players at the disposal of Mark Rudan, it will take a brave man to bet against the side on Sunday.
One of Rudan’s concerns heading into the encounter will be the unavailability of Ben Jurman who picked up two yellow cards in the loss against Bonnyrigg White Eagles last weekend, though the players at his disposal are more than capable of getting the side through to the grand final.
In the middle of the park we will see a tremendous battle with Glen Trifiro and Robbie Mileski two of the best creative players in the competition.
There is no questioning the prowess of captain Luka Glavas in the front-third. The Sydney United 58 FC striker will carry the front-line again on Sunday with the target man very keen on having another shot at Bonnyrigg this season.
Two sides that have entered the finals race playing some of their best football this season, this weekend’s matchup promises to provide an unforgettable encounter. Both sides’ strengths rest around moving the ball along the ground, and with such an impressive array of talent, on a perfect playing surface, we will certainly be treated to some beautiful football on Sunday.
The winner of this encounter will face up against Bonnyrigg White Eagles in the grand final.
-By Joseph Carlucci
