Heartbreak for Sydney United 58
It was a heart wrenching end to PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s side Sydney United 58’s run in the Westfield FFA Cup after bowing out in the Round of 16 to a gallant Heidelberg United 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 0-0 in normal time before both teams notched a goal each in extra time.
The game was played at a ferocious pace in front of a healthy 2,500 spectators at Edensor Park as the fans were treated to some pulsating football between the healthy rivalry that exists between NSW and Victorian teams.
With end to end action and chances as well as tough bone crunching tackles that soon followed, the atmosphere was so tense both teams could not be split apart until the second half of extra time when Sean Ellis thought he broke home fan hearts in the 111th minute with a goal that gifted George Katsakis’ men a precious lead.
When everything looked lost for the home side, the former NSL giants resurrected from the dead when substitute Adrian Vranic sent the home fans into raptures with a neat finish in the 119th minute that sent the match into penalties.
It was the Melbournians who held their nerve but were helped when Panny Nikas missed the first spot kick for United 58 before the visitors converted on four occasions going the same way towards Tom Manos’ right before Yianni Fragogiannis had his penalty saved that sent the traveling ‘Bergers’ fans into dream world that all but ended United 58’s run in the Cup.
It was a bittersweet pill to swallow for the home side who battled well and grafted out a number of fantastic opportunities but as has been the story of their season, could not finish. The year has now finished for the Reds who will look towards the new coaching appointment of former Socceroos star Jason Culina as a rebuild towards a bigger and better year in 2018.
Credit to Heidelberg United who held to their game plan and nerves edged them out in the penalties that put through the Quarter-Finals of the Westfield FFA Cup.
There are still four Football NSW teams remaining with all in action next Tuesday.
Blacktown City take on APIA Leichhardt Tigers in an all PS4 NPL NSW Men’s affair at Lilys Football Centre while Hakoah Sydney City East take on Hyundai A-League side Melbourne City featuring Socceroo star Tim Cahill at Leichhardt Oval while finally the Bankstown Berries from the PlayStation4 National Premier Leagues 2 NSW Men’s competition entertain 2016-17 Premiers and Champions Sydney FC at Sydney United Sports Centre.
