Men’s State League 2 Round 15 Review
Round 15 saw high-scoring games from all over the fields, bar our Match of the Round.
It was the most closely contested of the five, which produced a 1-0 grind-out to the Western Condors.
Both University of NSW and the Western Condors had a lot to play for, but in the end, the little magician Maurcio Navarrete got the job done for his team.
Match of the Round
Western Condors 1-0 University of NSW, Saturday 25 July, David Phillips Field
The Western Condors have stolen victory in the dying moments against University of NSW (UNSW), in a match that highlighted missed opportunities from both sides.
UNSW started the stronger of the two and found themselves in good field position early. Simon Hinde and Marcelo Turdera formed an effective combination on the left-hand side for the hosts. Hinde provided a flurry of crosses into the box that were calmly diffused by the Condors defence.
Where the Condors looked most dangerous was on the counter attack. Mauricio Navarette found himself in space on multiple occasions but UNSW’s defence ensured he would be denied any chance of an early goal.
Both goalkeepers had minimal challenges as both teams resorted to long-ranged attempts in the hope of scoring a speculator.
The first real chance of the day however went to UNSW in the 15th minute. A brilliantly chipped through-ball by Dean Zouroudis found Marcelo Turdera just right of the goals. Turdera took a touch and connected with the ball sweetly, only for it to sail across the face of goal and just wide of the left post.
Turdera had another opportunity to open the scoring only minutes later, after a brilliant ball into the box by Tom Cook found the striker unmarked. Unfortunately for UNSW, his headed attempt sailed over the crossbar.
It was clear that the Condors wanted to pick up the pace of the game in order to spark a momentum shift, which was precisely what they did.
A quickly taken free-kick put them in a great opportunity to score through Cristian Leiva Martinez but a well-executed slide tackle by UNSW defender, Julien Tellier denied the visitors a shot on goal.
Their persistence paid off and as a result, the Condors found themselves creating more chances as the game went on. A mistake at the back from Tellier put Mauricio Navarrete in on goal but his miss-kick saw the ball sky well over the crossbar.
Similarly to UNSW, the Condors also had an unchallenged headed attempt on goal but like Marcelo Turdera, Chris Kartambis could not direct the ball on target. As a result, the score remained nil-all at the break.
The second half began physical by both teams. UNSW received their fouls in attacking field position, but on each occasion the free kick attempt hit the wall, ricocheting away from danger.
UNSW adopted a more open brand of attacking football, which resulted in counter attacks led by Marcelo Turdera.
Turdera had three good runs in space, but on each occasion, stumbled over the ball at the vital moment, which lost all momentum gained.
For the Condors, Mauricio Navarrete grew in confidence when he sliced through the midfield and got a left foot shot away that just faded away from goal.
Tension grew as the match reached its end. It was clear both teams were desperate for the ball and fifty-fifty challenges resulted in injuries to key players for both sides.
Tempers flared between Dean Zouroudis and Roberto Sanchez after a foul was given, resulting in a caution to both players.
UNSW came inches away from scoring when a ball in from the right resulted in Marcelo Turdera’s shot being deflected by the Condors defence, which hit the left hand post and trickled away from goal.
The Condors showed their composure however, when a shift movement, which began in the midfield by Roberto Sanches found Mauricio Navarrete down the right wing. Navarrete cut in and penetrated the UNSW defence with his speed before finding the bottom right corner for a cool and collected, 90th minute finish.
Despite putting their formation up, the Condors were able to grind out a much-needed win, which sees them only one win out of the top four.
Match Stats
Western Condors 1
University of NSW 0
David Phillips Field
Referee: Mr. Darren Richards
Assistant Referees: Mr. Jen Kuan and Mr. Wayne Crabb
Western Condors: 30. Rodrigo Galliano, 6. Raul Carrizo (21. Jordan Ruzic), 5. Joel Dunajcik, 17. Chris Kartambis, 12. Cristian Leiva Martinez (7. Alex Hezari), 18. Luke Mesiti, 11. Mauricio Navarrete, 14. Matthew Putanac (33. Brandon Ortigoza), 8. Roberto Sanchez, 4. Ivan Sanhueza, 22. Giuseppe Zampogna
Substitutions not used: 1. Anthony Vrinat, 26. Nicolas Valenzuela
Yellow Cards: 18. Luke Mesiti, 21. Jordan Ruzic, 8. Roberto Sanchez
Red Cards: Nil
University of NSW: 6, Florim Binakaj (21. Owen Steer), 2. Tom Cook, 8. Simon Hinde (18. Victor Cares) (16. Daniel Kennedy), 17. Michal Lalik, 20. Ivan Lloret, 12. Kevin Ribardière, 14. Julien Tellier, 9. Marcelo Turdera, 11. Ruben Viglino, 10. Dean Zouroudis, 7. Samuel Zouroudis
Substitutions not used: 1. Matthew Porch, 5. Mate Balazs
Yellow Cards: 17. Michal Lalik
Red Cards: Nil
Rest of the Round
Hurstville FC 4-0 Wagga City Wanderers, Saturday 25 July, Gissing Oval
Hurstville FC have maintained their superb month of form by picking up their fifth win in a row on Saturday.
It was a dominating performance by Zagreb with Denis Cutura leading the way for his side through his double, which takes his impressive tally to 12 goals for the season.
Paul Gagro and Michael Karagiannis also found the back of the net. With that 4-0 victory, their for and against extends to an impressive 31-12.
Prospect United 4-3 Southern Districts SFA, Saturday 25 July, William Lawson Park
Prospect United have picked up a much-needed three points when they defeated Southern Districts in a see-sawing affair.
The highlight of the day went to Southern Districts Jason Garrido whose bomb from 40 metres out found the top left corner.
The Prospect score sheet saw Joshua Viera with two, Abanoub Mickael and Benjamin Lam.
For Southern Districts, Leigh Gunn, Gordan Opacic and Jason Garrido also found the back of the net.
Dunbar Rovers 5-0 Camden Tigers, Saturday 25 July, Ron Dine Reserve
The Dunbar Rovers have found themselves back in the winning circle with their thumping 5-0 performance away.
The game was reduced to ten per side after both teams had a player sent off.
Despite only leading 1-0 at half time, Dunbar turned it on in the last 15 minutes to score the remaining four goals and finish comprehensive winners.
Craig Mooney picked up a double while Malcolm Miller, René Mrva and Andrew Doddy scored as well.
FC Gazy Lansvale 5-1 Hurstville City Minotaurs, Sunday July, Progress Park
FC Gazy Lansvale have picked up their biggest win of the season when they defeated the Hurstville City Minotaurs in a bottom of the table clash.
Although it has no bearing on the competition, FC Gazy Lansvale have registered only their second win of the season and now have bragging rights over the Minotaurs by leapfrogging them on the table from ninth place to eighth.
Anthony Lazarou picked up his second goal in consecutive weeks but it was not enough to muster a second half come back for the visitors.
Next week FC Gazy Lansvale will have another good opportunity to pick up the three points when they make the trip inland to Wagga Wagga, while the Minotaurs will play University of NSW who too, are coming off a loss.
-By Lars Roy, Men’s State League 2 Reporter
