Sydney United 58 FC through to second round of NPL Finals series.
Sydney United Coach Mark Rudan will prepare his squad for a trip to Brisbane next week for the next round of the NPL Finals following a 2-1 win against Canberra FC.
Despite a few lapses in concentration, United put on an impressive display in front of their fans at Sydney United Sports Complex on Sunday.
Looking to use its home ground advantage to full effect, Sydney took the game to Canberra from the opening whistle.
It was a strategy that paid off with the home side taking a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute when Mirjan Pavlovic headed home from close rang off a well-placed Glen Trifiro corner.
The early goal proved to be an eye opener for the visitors as they buckled down in defence.
Canberra Coach Mriro Trninic was left smiling in the 20th minute when a terrible gaffe from new Sydney United Goal Keeper Paul Henderson saw FC back on level pegging.
Henderson, caught on the edge of the 18 yard box after scrambling to clear the ball, was left to watch the ball sail over his head after FC defender Adam Spaleta’s long range effort hit the back of the net.
Locked at 1-1 at half time, Sydney United coach Mark Rudan must have stressed the importance of attack to his his players with the home side racing out of the blocks following the interval.
Canberra did well to weather the early attacking onslaught however it wasn’t enough with Matthew Bilic heading home in the 60th minute to give United a 2-1 lead.
Yet another Sydney United brain snap saw the home side once again making things extra difficult for themselves, this time Daniel Barac sent off for a reckless challenge on Canberra’s Daniel Bennett only moments after they regained the lead.
A late charge from the visitors created a few edge of your seat moments however it was always Sydney United’s match with the home side holding onto its 2-1 lead until the final whistle.
MATCH DETAILS
Sydney United 58 FC 2 (M PAVLOVIC 4′, M BILIC 65′)
Canberra FC 1 (A SPALETA 20′)
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park, NSW
Sunday 29 September 2013
Kick-off: 3:00pm AEST
Sydney United: 1. Paul HENDERSON (GK),3. Benjamin JURMAN, 4. Nathan SHERLOCK, 6. Mitchell STAMATELLIS, 7.Mirjan PAVLOVIC (11. Luka GLAVAS 90’),16. Stejpan PARIC (2. Mitchell SPEER 51’),18. Glen TRIFIRO, 19. Mathew BILIC, 20.Ibrahim HAYDAR, 22. Daniel BARAC, 23.Ante TOMIC (5. Calum O’CONNELL 83’)
Substitutes not used: 8. Yuichi YAMAYUCHI, 30. Jordan JENNINGS (GK)
Canberra FC: 1. Adam PERAKOVIC (gk), 6. Ryan KEIR, 7. Marcin ZYGMUNT, 8. Ian GRAHAM, 10. Alex OLORIEGBE (9. Philippe BERNABO 68’), 11. Ivan PAVLAK (13. Daniel BENNETT 43’), 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matthew GRBESA, 17. Aidan BRUNSKILL, 19. Adam SPALETA, 20. James FIELD
Substitutes not used: 4. Marko VRKIC, 5. Julian BORGNA, 18. Anthony DIMOSKI
Discipline: YELLOW CARDS: ), 14. Josip JADRIC, 16. Matthew GRBESA (Canberra FC)
RED CARDS: 22. Daniel BARAC (Sydney United)
Referee: Steve Lucas
Assistant Referees: Andre Giev & Tom Lee
Fourth Official: Chris Young
