Spartans continue United 58’s woes

SYDNEY United 58’s season continues to spiral out of control with the side succumbing to another shock loss, this time against Blacktown Spartans.

Ben De Haan’s side delivered United their third defeat in a row with a 2-1 victory at Sydney United Football Centre. 
The home side once again failed to hold onto a promising start as two goals in two minutes from the Spartans was enough to secure the unexpected result.
From the opening whistle it didn’t take long for Mark Rudan’s side to show their intent.
A Robbie Mileski through ball in the 11th minute split the Blacktown defence in half to give Dutchman Koen Bosma a simple one on one opportunity.
It was a chance Bosma didn’t waste as he placed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Sydney United 58 tightened its grip on the match after the goal with constant pressure and possession in Blacktown Spartans’ half.
A sprayed shot from Richie Cardozo after 20 minutes was a great chance wasted for United to double their lead. 
Spartans worked hard to tighten up in defence but it remained one way traffic with the home side in complete control.
De Haan would have been pleased his side were only one goal down at the break and only finishing held Sydney United 58 back from finishing the half with a bigger lead.
The home side looked rejuvenated after the break and resumed its strangle hold on the match.
However a moment of Shu Sasaki brilliance ten minutes into the second stanza turned the game on its head.
Receiving the ball on the western side of the park, Sasaki used his combination of speed and skill to beat two defenders and level the scores with a well-placed shot.
The tide had turned and it took the visitors only moments to capitalise.
A tricky back heel into the 18 yard box from Futa Nakamura in the 57th minute was expertly finished by Josh Da Silva to give the visitors a shock lead.
It was panic stations for Sydney United 58 and it was obvious in their play.
Erratic passing and sloppy play crept into the game as the high press of Blacktown Spartans destroyed their opponents’ rhythm.
Da Silva should have had a second goal in the 77th minute when he unleashed a howitzer of a shot from 23 yards out which was denied only by the cross bar.
Rudan called for all out attack as game entered its penultimate stages.
United 58 created a handful of opportunities through sheer desperation alone but they lacked the polish to score.
De Haan praised the resilience of his players and singled out the performances of Nakamura and Sasaki.
“United were all over us in the first half and we did well to keep it all together,” he said.
“We persisted to press high and it eventually paid off for us.
“Both Shu and Futa were outstanding today and have delivered a standard consistently throughout the season.
“It’s a great feeling to notch another win and even more so here as it is a tough place to play.”
A dejected Panny Nikas was a cut up figure at the conclusion of the match but remained positive that the Reds would pick their act up.
“Collectively we must stay together and keep believing in our quality and things will turn around.
“We as a group, with the coaches are working too hard for the loss of points to continue.
“We took a positive turn forward in terms of our quality of football and we will build on it.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 1 (Bosma 11’)
Blacktown Spartans 2 (Sasaki 55’ , Da Silva 57’)
Sunday June 14, 2015
Sydney United Football Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: Adam Kersey (QLD)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Lindsey (QLD) & Mitchell Clark
Fourth Official: Karl Davies
Sydney United 58: Pasfield; Bilic, Bosma (Taneski 60’), Cardozo, Haydar (Giannaros 60’), Mileski, Nikas, Paric, Sherlock, Stamatellis, Triantis (Tomelic 60′)
Substitutes not used: Camera, Babic
Yellow Cards: Triantis 35’ Nikas 49’
Blacktown Spartans: Saliadarre; Da Silva (Quigley 80’), Dukic, Kondek (Mutch 72’), Morton, Nakamura, Sasaki, Tanner, Tomohiro, Tosi, Crighton (Enwiya 90′)
Substitutes not used: Nascimben, Long 
Yellow Cards: Sasaki 87’
Player Ratings
3 – Shu Sasaki (Spartans)
2 – Futa Nakamura (Spartans)
1 – Josh Da Silva (Spartans)