Nikas magic earns Sydney United 58 first win of the season
A magical strike from Panny Nikas helped Sydney United 58 FC to their first win of the 2017 PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season with a 2-1 victory against Sutherland Sharks 2-1.
Goals in either half from Nikas were the difference as Sydney United 58 FC looked more like the side that dominated the 2016 season.
Josh Da Silva gave Sutherland hope in the 62nd minute when he tied the scores up at 1-1, but it was always going to be hard to stop United 58 in front of the vocal home support from the BOKA Stand.
The victory capped off a turbulent week for the Reds on a good note and should hopefully set the tone for a return to winning ways for the remainder of the season.
Under the bright sun at Sydney United Sports Centre, Sutherland’s early intent shone through.
Callum McDonald stooped to meet a Matthew Gordon cross but scooped it over in the bar in the opening stages.
In the 15th minute Takuya Murayama found some space in the box for the Sharks but once again couldn’t direct his header on target.
After a slow start, Sydney United 58 began to dominate possession. Glen Trifiro worked the ball into space before releasing a shot which fell safely into the hands of Sharks custodian Nathan Denham.
The home side found the breakthrough in the 27th minute. Nikas stroked the ball for Yutaro Shin to chase, before he directed the winger’s cross into the net to give his side a1-0 lead.
Energised by the goal, Sydney United 58 piled the pressure on Denham. Trifiro once again was left free by the Sutherland Sharks defence but couldn’t place his shot.
Nikas almost had a second in the first half when he linked well with Matthew Sim, but Sharks’ shot stopper Denham was up to the task. The ‘keeper came out well to ensure the scoreline remained 1-0.
Following an inspired team talk at half-time, the Sharks returned to the pitch with a new-found vigour. Patrick O’Shea worked hard to steal the ball off a defender before he roamed forward and rattled the post with an effort.
The pressure from the Sharks worked in the 62nd minute. Joshua Da Silva found himself free in the box to thump his shot home and level the scores.
Both teams started to push as neither wanted to remain winless for the season. Sim found space in the box for Sydney United 58 but couldn’t place his header, neither could Jeremy Cox for the visitors.
In the end it took something special to secure all three points. Panny Nikas spied Sharks custodian Denham off his line and punished the positioning error with a sublime chip which chipped sailed over the ‘keeper’s head and into the net.
Sydney United 58 saw out the dying embers of the contest to collect their first three points of the 2017 season.
Sydney United 58 midfielder Panni Nikas was delighted to get the better of his old friend Nathan Denham.
"From our six years together, it wasn’t the first time I did that (chip the keeper) to him and he’s getting older so I thought I could get him," said Nikas.
"This victory is a good stepping stone for the season. Our conditioning isn’t where it should be but I’m happy for everyone to get the victory.”
Sutherland Sharks coach Carlos Villazon was delighted with the second half effort albeit not the result.
"In the second half we pushed forward more and the whole game changed. I thought we deserved a little more but that’s football,” he said.
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 FC 2 (Nikas ’27, ’79)
Sutherland Sharks 1 (Da Silva ’62)
Sunday, April 2 2017
Sydney United Sports Centre, Edensor Park
Referee: R. Mattei
Assistant Referee: J. Park & P Teleki
Fourth Official: N McOrist
Sydney United 58: 5. Anthony TOMELIC, 6. Tomislav USKOK, 7. Yutaro SHIN, 8. Matthew SIM, 17. Matthew BILIC, 18. Glen TRIFIRO(PARIC ’88), 20. Peter MARKOVIC, 21. Thomas MANOS, 22. Yianni FRAGIGIANNIS, 23. Panagiotis NIKAS and 32. Nicholas OLSEN(VRANIC ’69)
Substitutes not used: 3. Riley WOODCOCK,, 30. Luke BABIC, 35. Andre SCHROEDER
Yellow cards: Nikas, Uskok, Tomelic
Red cards: nil
Sutherland Sharks FC: 1.Nathan DENHAM, 3.Takuya MURUYAMA, 5.Nick LITTLER, 6.Matthew GORDON, 9.Tomohiro KAJIYAMA, 10.Joshua DA SILVA, 12. Blair BROWN(KAYES ’84), 13. Jeremy COX, 14. Patrick O’SHEA, 19. Callum FITZPATRICK, 25.Wade OOSTENDORP
Substitutes not used: , 21.Niki LOE, 36.Matthew STUART, 7. Jack PRESS, 15. Kevin LOPES
Yellow cards: Fitzpatrick, Oostendorp
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings
3 – Nikas (SU58)
2 – Uskok (SU58)
1 – Bilic (SU58)
-By Justin Davies, Football NSW reporter
