Sydney United 58 ready for Adelaide City test
Sydney United Sports Centre will play host to this Sunday’s PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series round 1 knockout match as NSW Premier’s Sydney United 58 tackle South Australia’s best in Adelaide City in what will be an intriguing battle between two former NSL giants.
With their respective leagues all but over for 2016, the PS4 NPL Finals Series gives both clubs one last opportunity to collect some precious silverware, albeit the title of being crowned the Champion State League team in Australia – an accolade Sydney United 58 took out in 2013 in the knockout Cup’s inaugural season.
Both club’s share a rich history and have won a number of pieces of silverware however were dealt with recent blows as the two faced defeats in their respective Grand Finals.
Mark Rudan’s men suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of Blacktown City FC last weekend while Damian Mori’s side lost 1-0 to Campbelltown City.
Either way, this encounter is shaping up to be one of the best yet out of the four PS4 NPL Finals Series ties.
Adelaide City’s ace attacker Nicholas Bucco, the club’s best and fairest and top goalscorer in 2015, is eagerly anticipating this fascinating clash.
“It’s going to be a tough game but all the boys are really looking forward to traveling together to Sydney hoping to get a positive result.
“We’ve had a bit of experience traveling together as a couple of years ago we went to Melbourne and faced the Bentleigh Greens so we are really looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“We know that there is a lot of history between these two teams and we know ourselves that we were two giants of Australian football so there will be a lot at stake but we are in for a good match.”
Asked whether Bucco and his teammates knew much about the Reds, the 26-year-old stated that thanks to social media and the highlights packages online, they’ve seen a bit of Rudan’s men in action.
“A few of the boys have discussed what United 58 are like just looking at clips off the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s YouTube highlights obviously you guys cover your league really well so there’s been a lot of footage to look at in seeing what we will be up against.
“They seem like a well drilled side with a few players that have played in the Hyundai A-League too.
“I know losing a Grand Final like us recently, they’ll be up for it and would want to avenge that defeat.”
Bucco labelled his opponents as the favourites for this tie.
“We as a club think it’s going to be a very tough game for us.
“We are going into this match as the underdogs, with Sydney United 58 being such a big team in NSW and the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s competition being such a strong competition, we know the tough task that’s going to be on hand on Sunday.”
On the coaching front both Rudan and Mori will lock horns as coaches instead of players with the Adelaide City star stating that this will be a perfect chance to see two promising managers go head to head.
“It’s a perfect opportunity for both managers to go toe to toe.
“I understand the two played against each other before on the pitch but both will be wanting to get the win on Sunday.”
Sydney United 58 will be looking for redemption after their painful 3-0 loss to Blacktown City but defender Yianni Fragogiannis, stated to Football NSW that the timing of the PS4 NPL Finals Series has come at an ideal team in lifting the team’s spirits and morale once more.
“After losing the Grand Final last weekend it’s good to be able to play the week after in another important competition otherwise you’d have to wait till next season to make up for the Grand Final loss.
“We’ve got a chance to bounce back and do something special and go all the way and that’s win the PS4 NPL Finals Series.”
Fragogiannis will be weary of their opponents as they too will be up for the task in claiming a vital victory that would be a huge result for the South Australian club.
“Make no mistake Adelaide City will be coming here to play and to win, they’ll definitely be tough opponents and we need to be at our best to progress.
“I’m sure they’ll be up for it and they’ve done their bit in claiming the Premiership so they seem like a pretty good side which we aren’t going to take lightly.
“As a team though, if we focus and play to our strengths, then I am sure we will come up on top at the end of the match.”
Winning the PS4 NPL Finals Series is something Fragogiannis would love to do for the second year running, and after winning it with Blacktown City in 2015, all focus is now on the big match on Sunday to kick start the Reds’ campaign.
“I played in the PS4 NPL Finals Series last year and was lucky enough to have won it with Blacktown City.
“When you take part in this tournament you aren’t just representing your respective club but you are representing your state.
“We want to show to everyone that the PS4 NPL NSW Men’s competition is the best State League in the country and the only way to do that is by winning the PS4 NPL Finals Series.
“That way, people will take notice so we are pushing for a big match on Sunday and are hoping for a big crowd to will us to victory.”
Match Details
Sydney United 58 FC v Adelaide City
Sunday 18 September 2016
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park NSW
Kick-off: 2:00pm AEST
Referee: Ben Abraham
Assistant Referee 1: James Tesoriero
Assistant Referee 2: Scott Edeling
Fourth Official: Adrian Arndt
Ticketing information: Tickets will be available at the venue
Coverage details:
Click here to go to the official match centre
LIVE stream: Watch the LIVE stream at www.nationalpremierleagues.com.au
Twitter handles to follow: @SydUtd58FC @AdelaideCityFC @NPLNSW @FFSANPL
Join in the conversation using the hashtag #SUNvADC
Sydney United 58 FC squad: 2.Kristopher Vlismas, 3.Masato Mochizuki, 4.Eddy Bosnar, 5.Nathan Bertolissio, 6.Chris Payne, 7.Yutaro Shin, 8.Peter Triantis, 10.Robert Mileski, 11.Nikola Taneski, 12.Anthony Vrlic, 13.Daniel Dias, 14.Nicholas Stavroulakis, 15.Jack Stewart, 17.Theo Kofinas, 18.Glen Trifiro, 19.Matthew Bilic, 20.Tomislav Uskok, 21.Thomas Manos (gk), 22.Yianni Fragogiannis, 23.Panagiotis Nikas, 24.Jacob Tratt, 30.Luke Babic (gk)
Head Coach: Mark Rudan
Adelaide City squad: 1.Matthew Moore (gk), 2.Michael Acton, 3.Alex Sunasky, 4.Liam Lawless, 5.Matthew Halliday, 6.Jordan Pudler, 7.Joel Allwright, 8.Paul Blefari, 9.Anthony Costa, 10.Reeve Wijayasekera, 11.Nicholas Bucco, 12.Lewis Farquhar, 13.Daniel Filosi, 14.Gabriel Kolopelnyk, 15.Anthony Babb, 16.Thomas Love, 17.Mamadi Kamara, 18.Bradley Corbo, 20.Luke Ostbye (gk), 22.Ryan Veitch (gk), 23.Christian D’Angelo, 30.Shane Tobias
Head Coach: Damian Mori
-By Mark Stavroulakis
