Men’s State League 2 Round 13 Review
Men’s State League 2 round games continued on the weekend after the following week allowed teams to play rescheduled matches that were previously postponed.
Our Match of the Round saw a high-scoring, action-filled game, which was highly anticipated.
This was because Hurstville FC denied competition leaders, Dunbar Rovers a victory for the first time this season the week prior.
Match of the Round
Hurstville FC 4-2 Hurstville City Minotaurs, Saturday 11 July, St George Football Stadium
Hurstville FC have taken their undefeated record to five consecutive matches when they downed the Hurstville City Minotaurs 4-2 in the local derby on Saturday night.
Henry Kamleitner starred for the home side with a hat-trick.
The match began with plenty of energy while both teams looked eager to shift the ball from side to side. Nicholas Kougious and Michael Janov created opportunities for Hurstville FC with the ball while Angelo Vangeas controlled the middle of the field for the Minotaurs in both attack and defence.
Henry Kamleitner’s pace proved too quick for the Minotaurs defence and he was able to get the first shot of the match away in the sixth minute. Fortunately for the Minotaurs, his shot was misdirected and sailed well wide of the mark, which resulted in a goal kick to the visitors.
Hurstville FC’s persistence almost paid off when Kamleitner hit the cross bar from his weaker right foot only five minutes later.
The Minotaurs returned serve though when Leonardo Pinto got their first shot on target with a rocketing half volley in the 15th minute. It however sailed straight into the arms of Hurstville FC goalkeeper, Matthew Mulroney.
The match continued with Hurstville FC dominating chances on goal until they eventually were able to capitalise through Henry Kamleitner in the 33rd minute.
Kamleitner looked the most likely to open proceedings whether it be from his boot or head, with the Minotaurs defence struggling to contain him.
A brilliant ball in from the right by Michael Karagiannis found Kamleitner one-on-one with Minotaurs goalkeeper, Syuzo Tsunoda. Despite defenders converging, Kamleitner was able to stroke the ball into the bottom left corner, first time, to open the scoring for the match and give Hurstville FC a 1-0 advantage.
The Minotaurs created good opportunities in attack through the Pinto brothers and Carlo Musumeci, however, as a team, they lacked the polish required and their last pass often went begging.
Hurstville FC on the other hand looked as though they would pick up their second goal when they hit the cross bar yet again, this time through Michael Janov.
They did just that only moments later when Henry Kamleitner picked up a first half double in the 40th minute through a header. Kamleitner had two attempts on goal after his first header sailed straight up into the air before making contact with it once more to find the back of the net.
The score remained at 2-0 to Hurstville FC at the half.
The Hurstville City Minotaurs came out of the break firing and found success with through balls, while Hurstville FC continued their short ‘one-two’ passing plays to get them in space.
The Minotaurs joined the cross bar challenge when they too hit the top woodwork through Angelo Vagenas. From that play the ball deflected back into the path of Leonardo Pinto whose ball in, ricocheted off a Hurstville FC defender and back into the path of Vagenas.
On his second attempt he was able guide the ball past Mulroney, which brought them back into the match with the score at 2-1 after 65 minutes.
The next ten minutes saw an increase in intensity by the Minotaurs coupled with good fortune.
A handball in the box by Hurstville FC’s Marko Filipovic resulted in a penalty being awarded to the Minotaurs in the 76th minute.
Leandro Pinto stepped up to the plate and calmy slotted the ball into the right side-netting which evened the score at 2-2.
It took only three minutes after the Pinto goal for the home side to regain the lead when substitute, Paul Gagro, found himself on the score sheet courtesy of a Filipovic through ball.
Gagro’s first time finish across the face of goal was a well-earned reward for providing a positive second half impact for Hurstville FC.
They later sealed the win in injury time when Henry Kamleitner picked up his third, after a ball by Gagro found him on the edge of the box. Kamleitner took a touch to get the ball onto his favoured left foot, before finding the top left corner with a brilliantly timed finesse.
Despite an outstretched attempt by Tsunoda, the finish by Kamleitner was top-shelf which capped off an outstanding performance by the right midfielder and overall team performance by Hurstville FC, who are timing their run well with only five rounds left until the finals.
Match Stats
Hurstville FC 4
Hurstville City Minotaurs 2
St George Football Stadium
Hurstville FC: 99. Matthew Mulroney, 13. Marko Filipovic, 2. James Galic, 6. Andrew Harb, 14. Michael Janov, 11. Henry Kamleitner, 12. Michael Karagiannis, 5. Thomas Kasunic, 15. Nicholas Kougious, 4. Thomas O’Neill, 8. Fouad Umlil
Substitutions: 9. Denis Cutura, 10. Paul Gagro, 17. Mudrek Abaid, 36. Ayman Hill
Yellow Cards: 10. Paul Gagro (80’)
Red Cards: Nil
Hurstville City Minotaurs: 1. Syuzo Tsunoda, 12. Modar Sultan, 17. Angelo Vagenas, 5. Rudy Bilani, 2. Anthony Lazarou, 11. Haisam Morhi, 10. Carlo Musumeci, 8. Leon Sansone, 6. Leandro Pinto, 15. Leonardo Pinto, 9. Paolo Paras
Substitutions: 13. Hezio Silva Neto, 4. Jesse Mantovani, 3. Angus Brown, 20. John Gymellas
Yellow Cards: 17. Angelo Vagenas (65’), 6. Leandro Pinto (75’)
Red Cards: Nil
Rest of the Round
University of NSW 2-2 Dunbar Rovers, Saturday 11 July, David Phillips Field
Dunbar have picked up their second consecutive draw this season after previously having a 100% win record of 11-0 a fortnight ago.
UNSW began the match strongly and opened the scoring 20 minutes into the match through Marcelo Turdera, who made the most of his rare starting opportunity.
The score remained 1-0 at the break but the visitors evened the score at 1-1 and then took the lead, all within the first five minutes of the second half.
Rene Mrva was the first Rover to score courtesy of a Malcolm Miller assist, while John Niyonsaba showed individual brilliance to find the back of the net.
UNSW were resilient and fought back for a draw at the end of the match, when brilliant lead-up play from the middle of the field eventually found Ruben Viglino.
Viglino caressed the ball into the back of the net, which left the score at two-all.
Western Condors FC 4-1 Wagga City Wanderers, Saturday 11 July, Gissing Oval
The Western Condors have picked up a valuable three points on the road when they defeated the Wagga City Wanderers 4-1 on Saturday.
Mauricio Navarrete was a stand out for the Condors with his hat-trick, taking him to out-right leader for goals scored this season on 14.
The visitors got off to the perfect start by scoring two goals in the opening ten minutes of play, firstly to Chris Kartambis and then through Navarrete.
Despite the Wanderers dominating possession for the remainder of the half, the score remained 2-0 to the Condors at the break.
The Condors extended their lead when Navarrete picked up his second on the back of brilliant team play, which stemmed all the way back to the goalkeeper.
Wagga City’s resilience continued however, when they opened their scoring through Scott Dunn.
The hope of a late run was not to be for the hosts after Navarette found the back of the net yet again to pick up his third and extend their lead to three goals, with the final score of 4-1.
Prospect United 0-0 Camden Tigers, Saturday 11 July, William Lawson Park
The middle of the table clash saw Prospect United and the Camden Tigers slog it out for a nil-all draw.
“It was a game of contrasting styles,” said Prospect head coach, Tony Caruso.
“All of our players performed to their ability and did their job.”
Despite a relatively even match, Camden had multiple chances to take the lead within the last 20 minutes, only to be denied by some brilliant saves.
The increased opportunities on goal were attributed mainly by Adam Smutek’s impact off the bench.
Camden head coach, Dean Mackechnie, said “he [Smutek] created all sorts of havoc when he was on.”
The draw has broken Camden’s five-game winning streak, but their consistent brand of football over the last month and a half has wedged a five-point gap between them and Prospect, who continue to fight for a top four position.
FC Gazy Lansvale vs Southern Districts SFA, Sunday 12 July, Progress Park
WASHED OUT
-By Lars Roy, Men’s State League 2 Reporter
