Olympic thwart Manly at Cromer
A second half goal from Sydney Olympic FC substitute Yu Kuboki was enough to beat Manly United 1-0 during their PlayStation®4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s clash on Friday night at Cromer Park.
In a high-quality encounter, the 90 minutes had a finals feel to it, despite being round six of the National Premier Leagues NSW men’s one competition.
Kuboki’s 61st minute strike was the difference as Olympic maintained its unbeaten run while handing Manly their first defeat for the season.
The visitors started the stronger of the two squads, with Olympic midfielder Max Burgess the standout.
After just 2 minutes the away side almost took the lead.
Some neat interplay saw the ball fall at the feet of Hagi Gligor, who rushed his effort, volleying well over the crossbar.
With 8 minutes on the clock United woke from their slumber.
Brendan Cholakian fed Sasa Macura, who beat his marker but was only able to produce a tame shot which Paul Henderson dealt with comfortably.
Gligor should have scored for Olympic on 24 minutes.
Max Burgess found the attacking midfielder from the left flank after a pinpoint cross, but Gligor’s header trickled well wide of the goal.
With half an hour played United created another decent chance.
Nikola Taneski volleyed into the path of Dejan Pandurevic, who saw his effort smothered by an alert Henderson.
Moments later Henderson showed why he is regarded by many as the best shot stopper in the competition.
United wingback Sam Wilson burst into the area and looked a certainty to score, only to be denied by the veteran gloveman at the near post.
Olympic coach Jaime Monroy didn’t hide his intention at the break, introducing Kuboki into the fray for Paul Katsetis.
On 47 minutes United hit the woodwork.
A Jamie Lobb free kick fell at the feet of Nikola Taneski, who connected with venom, only to see his effort crash out for a goal kick.
With 58 minutes played Olympic should have scored.
A driving run from Jason Madonis looked promising, but the industrial midfielder was unable to trouble Dylan Mitchell from distance.
Minutes later Olympic did find the back of the net.
A defensive error from Manly was pounced upon by Monroy’s men, with Kuboki the goal scorer on 61 minutes.
He couldn’t miss from six yards, and the Japanese import looks quite the player, tormenting the Manly defence until the final whistle.
Manly’s Dejan Pandurevic climbed high to meet a Taneski cross on 69 minutes, but his header looped over the crossbar.
United boss Warren Grieve then introduced Dom Ferguson and Daniel Saric with 75 minutes gone as they chased the game.
Kuboki had a chance to seal the three points when he charged towards goal after 82 minutes.
United defender Travis Oughtred scrambled brilliantly inside the six-yard box, eventually clearing the ball to safety.
Speaking after the final whistle, United midfielder Scott Balderson drew plenty of positives from the game.
"Frustrating result, I thought we could have won,” he said.
"They (Olympic) were well drilled, it was one of those ones which could have gone either way.
"We will cop it on the chin and move on.
"I also thought the atmosphere was outstanding, we love playing at home in front of a big crowd and look forward to Rockdale next Sunday at Cromer."
Olympic captain Yianni Spyrakis was delighted, with the result seeing the Belmore boys still unbeaten after six rounds.
"It was a tough battle, it always is when you play Manly,” he said.
"We defended really well and were quality with the ball at our feet.
"Now we just have to keep building each week."
Match Stats
Manly United 0
Sydney Olympic FC 1 (Yu Kuboki 61′)
Cromer Park
Friday April 14, 2017
Referee: Stephen Lucas
Assistant referees: Andreas Lyndon, Sarah Ho
Fourth official: Michael Herro
Manly United: 1. Dylan MITCHELL, 3. Jamie LOBB, 4. Travis OUGHTRED, 8. Sasa MACURA, 10. Brendan CHOLAKIAN,(6.Dom FERGUSON 75′) 11. Nikola TANESKI, 12. Leigh EGGER, (19.Daniel SARIC 75′) 13. Scott BALDERSON, (16.Sipan BERTI 62′) 14.Dejan PANDUREVIC, 17. Sam WILSON, 21. Joseph FOX
Substitutes not used: 20.Shaun CATLIN, 15.Hamish GALBRAITH
Yellow cards: Balderson 50′, Lobb 66′
Red cards: Nil
Sydney Olympic FC: 1.Paul HENDERSON, 7.Will ANGEL, 19.Darcy BURGESS, (4.Thomas WHITESIDE 81′) 14.Max BURGESS, 24. Christopher GLIGOR, 99.Paul KATSETIS,(12.Yu KUBOKI 46′) 8.Jason MADONIS, 9.Radovan PAVICEVIC, (Mark RODIC 90′) 5.Yianni SPYRAKIS, 6.Mitchell STAMATELLIS, 33.Nikolas TSATTALIOS
Substitutes not used: 20.Esequeil CONSONI, 23.Tass MOURDOUKOUTAS
Yellow cards: Madonis 56′
Red cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3 – Max Burgess (SO)
2 – Paul Henderson (SO)
1 – Travis Oughtred (MU)
