Sydney United Defeated By Rivals Rockdale

12th April, 2022 by Adrian Talevski

In a game played behind closed doors, Rockdale Ilinden overpowered Sydney United with a 2-0 victory in round 6 of the National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition at Sydney United Sports Centre.

The away side started the game more lively and Alec Urosevski nearly broke the dead lock in the 3rd minute, after intercepting Andrea Agamemnonos’ poor back pass in the box but Danijel Nizic made a tremendous save to palm it out for a corner. 

In the 7th minute, Rockdale scored their first goal through Alex Masciovecchio. 

Urosevski was able to intercept another poor back pass, this time from Yianni Perkatis and managed to run through on goal to get a shot away. 

Urosevski’s shot was deflected off Nizic and United captain Adrian Vlastelica stretched to clear the ball off the line onto the cross bar but unfortunately the ball fell to Masciovecchio in the 6 yard box who scored. 

In the 15th minute, Urosevski was involved in another opportunity for Rockdale but this time made the score sheet to increase Rockdale’s lead to 2-0.

Rockdale was awarded a free-kick just inside their own half and played it long to Masciovecchio who brought it down, and played Urosevski into the box who rifled his shot into the top corner. 

Rockdale continued applying pressure and this pressure proved too much for Agamemnonos in the 22nd minute when Peter kekeris poked the ball away from him towards Urosevski into the box but skyed his shot over the bar. 

7 minutes later, United finally had their best chance of the game after Kyle Cimenti was played through one-on-one with Rockdale’s keeper David Bradasevic but hit the near post. 

After the away sides early dominance the half had no more moments and Rockdale headed into the break 2-0 up over United. 

Just like the first half, Rockdale started off stronger and in the 59th minute, Kekeris was played over the top by Mitchell Stamatellis but Nizic denied the winger’s shot in the box by palming it over the bar. 

In the 67th minute, Rockdale’s defender Daniel Petkovski found himself in a similar position like Kekeris but smashed the ball wide of the goal and missing an opportunity to give Rockdale a 3 goal advantage. 

United thought they were closing the gap on Rockdale’s 2 goal lead when half-time substitute Patrick Antelmi tapped the ball in from Jordan Roberts low cross at the back stick but Antelmi was ruled offside in the 72nd minute. 

United came close again, this time in 79th minute through another United substitute Mihael Marcic. 

Vlastelica played a well weighted over the top ball to Marcic into the box who was able to take a touch over Bradasevic but sent his half-volley shot flying over the goal and crushing United’s last chance to get back in the game. 

With the last chance of the game coming in the 90th minute, Rockdale thought they had their third but Nizic got down low to his left to deny Tomoki Wada. 

The score ended 2-0.

Rockdale’s early dominance proved to be enough to take home the 3 points over Sydney United. 

United looked like they didn’t show up at all in this game and will hopefully come out playing next week at home against Sydney Olympic. 

MATCH STATISTICS 

SYDNEY UNITED 58: 0

ROCKDALE ILIENDON: 2 (Masciovecchio 7’, Urosevski 15’)

@SYDNEY UNITED SPORTS CENTRE 

SUNDAY, 10TH APRIL, 2022

3:00PM KICKOFF 

Sydney United 58 

Coach: Joe Haywood

1. Danijel Nizic, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5. Anthony Tomelic (3. Jordan Roberts 45’), 6. Christopher Payne, 8. Kyle Cimenti, 10. Devante Clut (13. Jordan Ivancic 66’), 11.Yianni Perkatis, 14. Andreas Agamemnonos (21. Mihael Marcic 78’), 15. Tariq Maia (9. Patrick Antelmi 45’), 17. Matthew Billic, 18. Glen Trifiro

Substitutes Not Used: 16. Adrian Knez, 55. Goran Palecek,

Yellow Cards: Agamemnonos 14’, Perkatis 21’, Marcic 84’, Vlastelica 88’

Red Cards: Nil

Rockdale Ilinden: 

Coach: Steve Zoric

1. David Bradasevic, 2. Daniel Petkovski, 3. Lachie Griffiths, 4. Mitchell Stamatellis, 7. Alec Urosevksi (10. Tomoki Wada 72’), 11. Peter Kekeris, 14. Brayden Sorge, 19. Patrick Savor (6. Daniel Araujo 65’), 23. Jaden Casella, 25. Alex Masciovecchio (9. Bai Antoniou 63’), 88. Chris McStay

Substitutes Not Used: 5. William Mutch, 8. Nicola Kuleski 20. Matthew Marrum, 70. James Ryan

Yellow Cards: Nil

Red Cards: Nil

Referee: Adrian Arndt

Assistant Referees: Joon Park and Samuel Quinn

Fourth Official: Ayad Naji