Sydney United 58 FC Crowned Waratah Cup Champions
A moment of Yutaro Shin magic has guided Sydney United 58 to Waratah Cup Glory.
The Japanese import struck only one minute into the second half to score the only goal in the final between United 58 and Manly United at Lambert Park on Sunday.
It was the second straight Waratah Cup triumph for Mark Rudan’s side after their 2015 victory against Blacktown City.
In what was a hard fought and at times fiery encounter, the Reds showed why they have been the cream of the crop in the PlayStation®4 NPL NSW Men’s competition holding out a dangerous and prolific Manly attack.
Two red cards in the final 25 minutes ensured there would be excitement to the final whistle, but it wouldn’t be enough to stop United 58 from defending its Waratah Cup crown.
A full strength United 58 lined up at the opening whistle with Chris Payne taking his place despite injury concerns during the week.
Manly United’s star signing Shane Cansdell-Sheriff was a late scratching to the disappointment of Manly fans.
While the first few possessions were cagey, United 58 began to impose its influence on the match.
Mark Rudan’s side began to slowly push forward but Manly’s disciplined defence held strong.
An audacious long range shot in the ninth minute from Peter Triantis tested Manly’s goal keeper Dylan Mitchell, but it wasn’t good enough to open the scoring as the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Moments later it was Manly’s turn to record an attempt on goal, when Dom Ferguson headed wide from a dangerous Luke Giverin free-kick.
A curling United 58 corner kick asked questions of the Manly defence in the 15th minute with Tomislav Uskok heading into the side netting.
Manly and Sydney United 58 were trading blows with neither side truly dominating.
The pace of Adam Parkhouse on the Eastern touchline created a pair of chances for the boys from the Northern Beaches.
A pinpoint cross in the 19th minute from Parkhouse caught United 58 on the back foot but striker Richie Cardozo was unable to provide the clinical final touch.
Cardozo volleyed over the bar from 12 yards out only seconds later from another Parkhouse delivery in what was Manly’s best chance so far.
It wasn’t until the 35th minute that Sydney United 58 had their best chance of the half.
Eddy Bosnar out jumped his marker to power a bullet header right at gloveman Mitchell.
The Manly shot stopper could only parry the shot into the path of Chris Payne but the United 58 striker overcooked his shot and blasted it into the stands.
Manly had one last chance before the end of the first half courtesy of Brendan Cholakian.
The Manly captain took a touch on the edge of the penalty area but his volley was too much and it went over the bar as referee Stephen Lucas signalled for half time.
Whatever Rudan said to his United 58 players during the break worked wonders as the Edensor Park team began the second stanza with renewed vigour.
A sluggish response from Manly to United 58’s offensive efforts was a costly error for Paul Dee’s side.
Robbie Mileski found space on the eastern sideline and whipped in a dangerous cross to Panni Nikas. The attacking midfielder went to shoot but feigned allowing Yutaro Shin to smash the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 United 58 lead.
Not long after the restart of play Nick Stavroulakis was given a premature exit from the match when he clashed heads with Pandurevic in a challenge for the ball.
Former Central Coast Mariners midfielder Glen Trifiro was introduced to the match as Stavroulakis was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose.
United 58 had control of proceedings and went close to doubling their lead in the 53rd minute when Uskok’s header was blocked by an alert Mitchell.
Thomas Manos did his best efforts to keep United 58 in the match when he stopped a dipping shot from GIverin.
Manly thought they had equalised in the 67th minute when a scrambling Parkhouse slid in to tap the ball in off a Travis Cooper cross.
However, referee Lucas had already blown for a handball from United 58’s Bosnar so ball was called back.
A moment of utter madness cost Bosnar his place on the field in the 72nd minute when he was awarded a second yellow card and sent off for a rash challenge of Richie Cardozo.
Rudan sent on defender Theo Kofinas for striker Payne with the Red’s coach happy to sit back and defend the one goal lead.
Manly’s extra player advantage didn’t last long with Luke Giverin sent off for a second yellow card in the 74th minute.
Brendan Cholakian battled to get his Manly side back into the match but Sydney United’s suffocating defence proved too much.
Wave after wave of Manly attack could not find an equaliser with Manos and the United defence frustrating their opposition.
The trill of the final whistle confirmed the result with United holding on for victory.
“It is always tough to win back to back titles so i am extremely proud of the players,” Sydney United 58 coach Mark Rudan said.
“We stuck to our game plan, were extremely disciplined and as a result got our just rewards.”
Rudan said he felt his team didn’t do enough in the final third during the opening 45 minutes and he challenged his team at the break to find an extra gear in attack
“We weren’t doing too much wrong in the first half and I just told the boys to tweak some of their movements which helped us score our goal,” he said.
“We have done very well in attack this year and I was confident they had what it took to score.
“The boys showed plenty of resilience late in the game to hold on and I was exceptionally proud of how they hung on for the win.
The former Sydney FC defender is confident his side can continue their success this season.
“There is a real spirit about this team which i have never been apart of before at this club,” he said.
“It’s an intoxicating feeling to be around the boys at training or on match day.
“We have the chance to do something really special this year and today’s win is just one of quite a few happy moments we will experience this season.”
A sombre Paul Dee rued his side’s missed opportunities after the match but said his side would be stronger for the experience.
“There is disappointment obviously but also a level of pride among the squad for what we have achieved this season,” he said.
“The first half was not as free flowing as we would like to play. Maybe it was the occasion but I found took us until the second half to really open up our attack.
“To concede just after halftime was really disappointing because it was just one moment where we dropped our concentration after showing plenty of intent to start the half.”
Dee said the disallowed goal and red card killed all momentum for his side.
“We thought they could’ve been a big momentum shift but a little moment of madness and we were back to square one.,” he said.
“It wasn’t a turning point for the match but it certainly made it that extra bit harder for us to comeback.
“This result isn’t the end for us. We now move our focus to the league and build on what has been a strong season so far.”
Match Stats
Manly United: 0
Sydney United 58: 1 (Shin 46’)
Sunday, July 10 2016
Lambert Park, Leichhardt
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields & Kearney Robinson
Fourth Official: Ben Abrahams
Manly United FC: 1. Dylan MITCHELL, 2. Kieren PUALL (23. Hamish GALBRAITH 90’) 3. Jamie LOBB, 4. Travis OUGHTRED, 5. Rhys WILLIAMS (18. Daniel BRAGG 77’), 8. Dom Ferguson (21. Joseph FOX 88’) , 9. RIchie CARDOZO, 10. Brendan CHOLAKIAN, 11. Adam PARKHOUSE, 14. Dejan PANDUREVIC (7. Travis COOPER 68’), 22. Luke GIVERIN
Substitutes not used: 20. Shaun CATLIN
Yellow Cards: 22. Luke GIVERIN 43’ 77’, Rhys WILLIAMS 53’
Red Cards: Giverin 77’
Sydney United 58: 21 Thomas MANOS, 3. Musato MOCHIZUKI, 4. Eddy BOSNAR, 6. Chris PAYNE (17. Theo KOFINAS 75’), 7. Yutaro SHIN (11. Nikola Taneski 90’), , 8. Peter TRIANTIS, 10. Robert MILESKI (33. Nathan Sherlock 87’), 14. Nick STAVROULAKIS (18. Glen Trifiro 50’), 20. Tomislav USKOK, 23. Panni NIKAS, 24. Jacob Tratt.
Substitutes: 2. Kris VLISMAS
Yellow Cards: 6. Chris PAYNE 41’ Nicholas STAVROULAKIS 50’, Eddy BOSNAR 70’, 74’ Panni NIKAS 90’
Red Cards: Eddy BOSNAR 74’
Player Ratings
Manly United
Dylan Mitchell 7.5
Played well when under pressure and was generally able to deflect away most of Sydney United’s dangerous chances with some good reaction saves.
Kieran Paull 6
Worked hard on the left side of the field but didn’t get the opportunities to show his full range of skills.
Jamie Lobb 7
Tried hard in defence and generally didn’t put a foot wrong. Held his position well and marshalled the players around him.
Rhys Williams 7.5
A dangerous provider on the left and hardly put a foot wrong all afternoon. A late replacement into the starting line-up who certainly deserved his place.
Dom Ferguson 6
A fairly quiet game but did have some chances to show his wares. Generally was a player that Manly could count on throughout the game.
Richie Cardozo 6
Managed to avoid defenders and create space but was just off target with some vital chances. A little quiet by his standards and didn’t get great service from teammates.
Brendan Cholakian 8
Was a true leader of his team from the front. Chased the ball down well and was involved all over the pitch for his side. An impressive display indeed in a losing side.
Adam Parkhouse 8
A very fast and elusive player down the left and the provider of some dangerous crosses. Seemed to be the go-to player for his team down the left and was a threat for most of the game. A good and creative display from a player that never stopped trying.
Dejan Pandurevic 6
Reliable but couldn’t quite get there with some chances. Was replaced midway through the second half. Fairly quiet by his usual high standards.
Luke Giverin 6.5
Proved to be dangerous at set pieces but not given much space. When he did break free he was one of his side’s most dangerous until he received his second yellow card.
Travis Oughtred 6.5
Good in defence and reliable for his team. He was always there for Manly United in a compact display.
Sydney United 58
Thomas Manos 8
Solid and confident between the sticks with some great saves. He got down well to balls and played out nicely when required.
Masato Mochizuki 6.5
A busy player who got in the way of opposition players when required and ran himself into the ground in a good effort.
Eddy Bosnar 6
Confident distribution from the back and was even dangerous in attack until he received his second yellow card in the second half.
Chris Payne 6
Fought well up front but did spray the odd chance when chances were few and far in the game. Received the first yellow card of the game out of sheer frustration.
Yutaro Shin 6.5
Ran more miles than most and was able to take advantage of opportunities including securing the first goal. A workhorse in the true sense of the word.
Peter Triantis 7.5
Tried to find the net several times and was involved in most midfield action for his team. A solid performance from a player who worked very hard for the full game.
Robbie Mileski 7
Played with flair and led his team well. There wasn’t much that he did wrong and was always there or thereabouts for Sydney United.
Nick Stavroulakis 7.5
A tireless player who always looked good on the ball. He didn’t leave anything on the pitch such was his commitment to the cause and his bravery. Left the game after a head knock early in the second half.
Tomislav Uskok 8.5
Marshalled troops well at the back and looked dangerous at set-pieces going forward on several occasions. Accurate passing and confident on the ball in what was an impressive performance indeed.
Panagiotis Nikas 7
Fast and reliable for most of the game but was not given much space at times by the tight Manly opposition. Hit the crossbar in the second half with a great chance.
Jacob Tratt 7
Held his line at the back and always seemed to be in the best position to cut out dangerous Manly balls. An impressive player that knew where to be for his side.
Glen Trifiro 6
An early second half replacement for Nick Stavroulakis. Played some nice passes to teammates but didn’t have the full gamut of opportunities thanks to tight Manly marking.
-By Joe Russo
