Sydney United 58 wins historic ninth Waratah Cup title
Sydney United 58’s love affair with the Waratah Cup continued as they beat APIA Leichhardt 3-1 at Valentine Sports Park on Wednesday night, securing an historic ninth win of the competition.
United 58 reigned supreme in a cagey battle with APIA, completing the task of defending the trophy after winning it last year and extending their record as the most successful club in Waratah Cup history.
The defending Cup champions were first to strike as they went ahead in the 15th minute after a perfect combination from wingers Leroy Jennings and Mason Wells, with the former drilling an excellent low ball from the right side across goal towards his teammate for a simple tap-in.
APIA managed to bring it level just before half time in the 44th minute after some lovely quick passing led to Michael Konestabo taking the ball into the box before placing a shot in the bottom left corner.
United 58 came agonisingly close to restoring their lead in the 62nd minute when Michael Krslovic pounced on the ball after a Mason Wells long shot snuck through an APIA defender, though goalkeeper Oliver Kalac managed to make a vital save.
Kalac’s effort proved in vain as United 58 capitalised on the subsequent corner in the 63rd minute, with Farah Koko striking the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1.
APIA right back Cameron Fong tried his luck in the 66th minute with a long-range effort that forced a diving save out of United 58 keeper Adam Pavlesic.
The defending champions came inches away from bagging a remarkable third goal in the 73rd minute when Tomislav Ozanic unleashed a spectacular long-range effort that smacked into the corner where the crossbar and left post meet.
APIA nearly brought the game level in the 84th minute through Jack Stewart, though the winger’s shot was crucially blocked off the line by Liam McGing to preserve United 58’s lead.
Wells put the win beyond doubt in the 86th minute, with the winger meeting the ball at the edge of the box following a corner kick and curling it beautifully into the top left.
United 58 coach Miro Vlastelica could not contain his pride in his team winning the trophy and adding to the decorated and storied history of the club.
“A lot of people don’t realise what went into building Sydney United, to give us what we have today. And now you look at the kids. The future generations are still going to be here and that’s what we want to keep building on,” Vlastelica told Football NSW.
Speaking on the game itself, Vlastelica stressed they showed good energy and composure, though it was their efforts in the final third that separated the two sides.
“I think that the energy we showed, the composure defensively. We were solid, disciplined, and good tactically, In the final third we took our chances, and that was the difference.”
Match Stats
Sydney United 58 3 (Mason Wells 15’, 86’, Farah Koko 63’)
APIA Leichhardt 1 (Michael Konestabo 44’)
Wednesday 1 July
Valentine Sports Park
Referee: Rowan Fisher
Assistant Referees: Isaac Riggs and Daniel Cornofsky
Fourth Official: Hayden Langholz
Sydney United 58: 1. Adam Pavlesic, 3. Bailey Rule, 6. Dylan Rose, 7. Leroy Jennings (44. Farah Koko 56’), 8. Tomoki Wada (35. Tomislav Ozanic 68’), 10. Carlos De Oliveira, 14. Liam McGing, 17. Michael Glassock, 19. Michael Krslovic (4. Adrian Vlastelica 84’), 21. Koya Nakano, 23. Mason Wells
Substitutes Not Used: 9. Kyle Cimenti, 12. Gabriel Tilo, 16. Anthony Krilic, 41. Adrian-Jamie Bazina
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
APIA Leichhardt: 1. Oliver Kalac, 2. Seiya Kambayashi, 8. Michael Konestabo, 9. Presley Ortiz (17. Jordan Segreto 68’), 16. Sean Symons (14. Max Court 75’), 19. Fabian Monge, 21. Michael Kouta, 22. Edward Caspers, 24. Cameron Fong, 25. Kyle Shaw, 30. Alex Denmead (7. Jack Stewart 68’)
Substitutes Not Used: 4. Eijin Kishimoto, 6. Frans Deli, 20. Alexander Parkes, 99. Franco Farinella
Yellow Cards: Fabian Monge 85’
Red Cards: Nil
-By Dimitri Kallos
