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Post by paoktzi on Aug 9, 2010 12:13:01 GMT 10
Apia 1 - 0 Marconi
Blacktown 1 - 1 Sydney United (5-4 on penalties to blacktown)
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Post by paoktzi on Aug 9, 2010 12:13:29 GMT 10
Parisi magic separates both sides in a thriller
08.08.10 19:44
The man of the moment A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers skipper Franco Parisi in action against the Marconi Stallions on Sunday.
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt and Marconi Stallions played the minor, elimination semi-final at a splendid Leichhardt Oval before a very healthy crowd and, in the end, the home-side prevailed thanks to a piece of Franco Parisi opportunism late in the game.
It’s hard not to admire the workmanship and determination of A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt who started the season poorly but are now coming home with a special wind in their sails.
Perhaps that energy and inspiration is coming directly from their enigmatic Tigers president Tony Raciti who could hardly contain his elation when Parisi scored.
“Our extraordinary run continues and from Round 7 to Round 22, if we were only to count those rounds, we would have finished approximately 12 points in front of any team on the ladder,” he proudly stated.
“It would have been extraordinarily disappointing to have lost here today.
“We said before the game that these are really 50/50 matches and that’s what we saw out there today.
“However, I thought that Marconi’s long ball game was definitely anti-football and I was disappointed with the referee too because Marconi focussed on the man and not the ball.”
If there were smiles all around the dressing rooms of the home-side, then across the corridor in the Marconi Stallions sheds one may have expected a different story. However, despite their elimination at the hands of their historic rivals for season 2010, the mood was upbeat. And it was with good reason.
Marconi had punched above their weight for too long.
A young side, who suffered the stop-start and then stop-again saga of some African imports who never eventuated, the Stallions displayed quality and playing style across the park not often seen from some other teams.
The future of their coach Lee Sterrey is still to be decided but the former national coach of Fiji made it clear that he would love to continue in the role at the club that he considers is his own because of his long association with Marconi as a player, youth coach, assistant coach and two stints as senior coach.
“I thought we had a good season,” he said. “I’ve worked with the youngsters at the club and they have done a tremendous job but I can’t speak highly enough of the core senior group of players because they had led these young players all the way.
“It’s my third stint here as coach if you include youth coaching and I definitely want to stay on.
“It was always going to be difficult when we lost four of our best players, but I certainly want to continue on next year and the rest is up to the club.”
The match itself didn’t really get going until well into the first-half. In the 13’ minute a lovely cross from Nick Rizzo from the left was placed dangerously into the box, but Giorgio Speranza beautifully headed the ball away for the visitors.
This was about as close as it got early on and it was clear that it wouldn’t get any easier. It was a tight affair, one could say in a most understated way.
Both teams were not prepared to concede any space to each other and it was obvious what this game meant to them both: a place in the next round of the finals of the NSW Premier League.
There was a real finals atmosphere in fact about the place from the moment one entered the gates of Leichhardt Oval.
In the 19’ minute Stephen Kayes somehow found some space on the edge of the box, but his shot was well stopped by James Chronopoulos.
In the 30’ minute Franco Parisi created an opening through the middle when he superbly cut a path in the heart of the Marconi midfield and defence but, as he charged towards goal leaving three players fallen in his wake like dominoes, he saw his powerful finish only marginally go wide of the intended target.
Marconi’s reply arrived almost immediately afterwards when Speranza sent in a dangerous cross from the left to Aleksandar Canak who fired his first time volley just over the crossbar.
In the 36’ minute Canak did all the hard work and nicely set up Jared Lum, but the youngster had one too many thoughts about what to do with the ball at his feet and, so when he finally pulled the trigger, his shot was deflected for a corner.
In the 39’ minute Marconi had arguably their best chance of the first stanza of play when Christopher Nunes found Jason Naidovski in the box but Danial Cummins came sliding home with a magnificent tackle to deflect the ball away for a corner.
From the ensuing corner taken by Mitchell Mallia it was Canak who rose above the pack to head the ball just over the crossbar.
Early in the second-half a powerful drive from Parisi from outside the box was well saved once again by Chronopoulos, but then Marconi took control without actually scoring.
In the 57’ minute a powerful shot by Mallia forced Matthew Nash into a brilliant diving save and then a minute later Christopher Nunes set up an unmarked Jason Naidovski who fired over from almost point-blank range.
Lum then set up Naidovski in the 63’ minute but his shot was fortuitously deflected by a defender into the hands of goalkeeper Nash.
In the 68’ minute Nick Rizzo had a diagonal shot that tested Chronopoulos before Parisi sent home the only goal of the game 10’ minutes later when he took advantage of a defensive error and fired a rocket into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
“Franco Paris was outstanding and was definitely a great player for us today,” said Tony Raciti.
“Very little credit though is given to our whole back four and our goalkeeper. They never put a foot wrong all day in what was a flawless performance from the back four.”
Lee Sterrey saw the goal somewhat differently: “The passage of play before the goal was our own fault because it was really the only passage of play where we allowed them to do anything on the ball” he said.
“Our tenacity was really good considering that we had four or five players out again today. I thought we set up the game well and hit them on the counter and on the break.
“We were right in the mix – we were younger and fitter and I would have been happy to go into extra-time and I think we may have run them over.
“However, good luck to them [A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt]. They certainly hurt teams from the midfield forward and good luck to them because they are a good football side.”
Meanwhile, in the Grade 20s division Bankstown City FC defeated Sutherland Sharks 3-1 after scores were locked at 1-1 at full time.
Michael Svircevic opened the scores for Sutherland in the 9’ minute before Cameron White equalised for Bankstown in the 40’ minute.
In the extra period Troy Danaskos scored twice for Bankstown in the 97’ and 106’ minutes of play. The last gaol was beautifully finished after a spectacular through ball.
Match Stats
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers 1 (Franco Parisi 78’)
Marconi Stallions 0
Sunday, 8th August, 2010
Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt
Referee: James Lewis
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Scott Edeling
Fourth Official: Khodr Yaghi
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers: 1.Matthew Nash; 2.Mark Byrnes, 3.John Kelso, 4.Andrew Vitucci (17.Matthew Fsadni 65’), 5.Michael West, 7.Stephen Kayes, 19.Danial Cummins, 8.Anthony Hartshorn, 11.Nick Rizzo, 9.Robert Younis 10.Franco Parisi.
Substitutes Not Used: 13.David D’Apuzzo, 14.Paul O’Grady, 18.Bishara Stephan, 40.Terry Dal Broi
Yellow Cards: Younis 29’, Cummins 54’, Parisi 56’, Fsadni 84’
Red Cards: Nil
Marconi Stallions: 22.James Chronopoulos; 4.Umut Tokdogan (34.Nathan Jagelman 79’), 5.Adel El Jamal (11.Matthew Gordon 88’), 8.Aleksandar Canak, 16.Jason Naidovski (39.Sean O’Connell 79’), 18.Jared Lum, 23.Christopher Nunes, 25.Dominic Trimboli, 26.Nahuel Arrarte, 31.Mitchell Mallia, 42.Giorgio Speranza.
Substitutes Not Used: 21.Jose Bello-Amigo, 14.Daniel Ott.
Yellow Cards: Trimboli 70’, Nunes 76’
Red Cards: Canak 82’
Player Ratings:
3 - Franco Parisi (ALT)
2 - Mark Byrnes (ALT)
1 - Jared Lum (MS)
-By Joe Russo
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Post by paoktzi on Aug 9, 2010 12:13:53 GMT 10
Nine man Blacktown City make Sydney United pay the penalty
08.08.10 20:30
Blacktown City FC celebrate Joel Chianese's strike against Sydney United on Sunday at Lily Homes Stadium (Photo by Damian Briggs)
Blacktown City FC pulled off a victory of gigantic proportion with nine-men against Sydney United to progress to a showdown with Bonnyrigg White Eagles next weekend in a bid to reach the 2010 NSW Premier League grand-final.
Played at a blistering first-half pace, where Blacktown City held a deserved 1-0 lead courtesy of Joel Chianese, the home-side were reduced to ten-men following Matt Pressello’s straight red card early in the second-half.
The numerical advantage allowed the Reds to draw level courtesy of Luka Glavas shortly after, with the scores level after 90’ minutes. Despite going down to nine men at the start of extra-time, Blacktown City FC managed to hold out for the draw and secure a famous victory via the dreaded penalty shootout – veteran Mirko Jurlj exquisitely converting the match winner with the cheekiest of penalties.
Blacktown City came out of the blocks running as Travis Major got down the right-flank to centre into the penalty-area. Mitchell Long’s first-time effort from the edge of the penalty-area was thwarted by some scrambling Sydney United defence.
The home-side’s early pressure was telling as Long picked up a loose ball inside the penalty-area before slotting past Ryan Norval, though the linesman’s flag was quickly raised for offside.
Sydney United’s response arrived in the 10’ minute as Peter Zorbas got forward and released Michael Cindric inside the penalty-area, the Reds defender had his shot well saved by Brodie Crane.
Blacktown City opened the scoring in the 13’ minute with a piece of individual brilliance as the youngster cleverly turned inside the penalty area to carve out the opening. Chianese’s first effort was parried by Norval though the follow up, albeit from a tight angle, was nicely slotted home much to the delight of the home supporters.
On 21’ minutes, Tolgay Ozbey squandered a golden chance when he was sent through on goal. Ozbey, with the goalkeeper beckoning, failed to drive his effort past the Reds shot-stopper – Norval claiming the ball at the second attempt.
Despite the Reds best attempts to get forwarded, Blacktown City continued to dominate with Luke Roodenburg’s exceptional work ethic in the middle of the park paying dividends.
Ozbey beat the offside trap in the 26’ minute, though again failed to double his side’s lead with a wayward strike finishing well over the crossbar.
The Reds created an opening via a set-piece on the half-hour as Mitchell Thompson’s delivery from the left-flank picked out Elsid Barkhousir. The Reds’ striker rose highest inside the penalty-area to get a header on goal, though the effort failed to force Brodie Crane into a save.
Ozbey’s pace got the better of Reds captain Joe Vrkic in the 35’ minute as the League’s top goalscorer got to the byline to cut a fine square ball into the path of Roodenburg. The Blacktown City captain overran his run though, and failed to get an effort on goal.
Thompson’s set-pieces provided the Reds with their only real look-ins, and on 37’ minutes, the midfielder’s delivery nearly picked out Cindric at the back post, though the Blacktown City defenders managed to clear the ball away to safety.
Joel Chianese should have grabbed his second for the afternoon moments prior to the break when Ozbey played a fine square ball into space. The young attacking midfielder, with only the goalkeeper ahead of him, was dragged a little too wide of the goal and failed to get any power behind his shot with Norval saving comfortably.
Sydney United opened second-half proceedings on the front-foot though the Reds were limited to efforts from distance. Barkhousir was sent free down the right-flank in the 48’ minute, though his cross for Glavas was easy pickings for goalkeeper Brodie Crane.
Mitchell Thompson’s free-kick delivery from the left on 50’ minutes found the head of Cindric at the back post, though the Reds central defender failed to hit the target.
Despite Blacktown City seemingly in control, the Reds drew level in the 52’ minutes via Luka Glavas. The lanky striker got in behind the defence to latch onto substitute Steve Hayes’ through ball and finished with aplomb, slotting the ball into the back of Crane’s net.
Blacktown City lifted the intensity after conceding the goal and Ozbey got in behind the Reds defence on 55’ minutes before rounding the goalkeeper. Ozbey took the ball wide of goal, though perfectly drove an effort on target, denied only by Joe Vrkic’s last ditch save on the goal-line.
Ivo Bosnar tried his luck from distance in the 75’ minute, though goalkeeper Brodie Crane was not called upon to make a save.
The home-side’s afternoon took a turn for the worst when they were reduced to ten-men on 77’ minutes. Glavas was played through on goal, though brought to ground by Matt Pressello – the referee left with no chance but to issue the defender a straight red card.
The numerical advantage spurred the Reds on, and following Shane Lyons’ free-kick – saved comfortably by Crane – Barkhousir and then Brodie created half-chances, though the Blacktown City defence stood firm.
Blacktown City nearly found a potential winner 5’ minutes from time as Joel Chianese dribbled his way into the penalty-area. With only the goalkeeper ahead of him, Chianese’s low-driven effort was well-parried by Norval down to his left.
Norval was called upon again moments later, saving a powerful point-blank Ozbey drive.
The Reds continued to walk on a tight rope in the final minutes as Cindric produced a goal-line save to deny Jordan Simpson a certain goal. With Norval beaten by Simpson’s diagonal effort across goal, Cindric remained composed to divert any danger and send the match into extra-time.
The 30’ minutes of extra-time commenced horribly for Blacktown City as goalkeeper Brodie Crane was shown a straight red card for a last man foul outside the penalty-area on Barkhousir. With nine-men on the field, Aytek Genc was forced to sacrifice Travis Major, replaced by reserve goalkeeper Justin Biega. The young shot-stopper made an immediate impact, swiftly clearing his goal-line to thwart another Sydney United counter-attack via the long ball.
Despite the numerical advantage, and the greater share of possession, the Reds failed to carve out an opening in the first period of extra-time. Steve Hayes came closest with a volley from the edge of the penalty-area on 102’ minutes, though Jordan Simpson bravely put his body on the line to thwart any danger.
Luka Glavas slalomed his way down the left-flank before delivering a pin-point cross in to the path of Barkhousir in the 108’ minute, thought the Reds striker uncharacteristically blasted his effort well over the crossbar.
Barkhousir had another chance with 3’ minutes remaining, though his left-foot curler from the edge of the penalty-area was easily saved by Biega.
Following the match, Blacktown City FC coach Aytek Genc expressed his satisfaction with the efforts of his players:
“I am extremely happy with my boys for the heart and commitment they all showed out there this afternoon.
“Going down to ten-men is always tough, though to then go to nine and continue fighting until the end is just remarkable, and I am really happy with each and every player.
“We’ve had players out for suspension and injury recently, and now we’ll be without Matty (Pressello) and Brodie (Crane), though we will certainly draw a lot of confidence from this hard fought victory.
“I do have to say though, that we still created chances, and really should have put away at least one of them, though we got through and that was our objective.”
Questioned about Mirko Jurlj’s exquisite penalty, the Blacktown City FC boss was well aware of his defender’s intention:
“It takes a lot of courage to attempt a penalty like that one, I knew he was going to go for it, and he pulled it off… so we are all very happy, obviously,” ended Genc.
Sydney United boss David Zdrilic remained positive despite the loss:
“We are disappointed of course, having played a poor first-half, and then not able to kill them off in the second with the extra man – and then of course they went down to nine men.
“We didn’t move the ball around quick enough, though it is difficult to break down a team that sets up to defend at the back… perhaps it would have been better had they not lost the two players, we may have produced a different result.
“The boys will be pumped for the match next weekend, especially having lost in this way tonight, so we will certainly be prepared for a big match at our home ground.
“A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers have been one of the form sides in recent weeks, and we will need to perform to get through and have a shot at reaching the grand-final,” Zdrilic ended.
Penalty shoot-out sequence:
Joe Vrkic (Sydney United) – goal – bottom left-hand corner.
Tolgay Ozbey (Blacktown City FC) – goal - top left-hand corner, in off the underside of the crossbar
Luka Glavas (Sydney United) – goal – bottom right-hand corner
Jordan Simpson (Blacktown City FC) – top right-hand corner
Shane Lyons (Sydney United) – saved – Biega down to his left.
Luke Roodenburg (Blacktown City FC) – goal – down the middle of the goal
Damon Collina (Sydney United) – goal – top left-hand corner
Ante Deur (Blacktown City FC) – goal – bottom left-hand corner, goalkeeper Norval got a hand to the ball.
Todd Brodie (Sydney United ) – goal – bottom right-hand corner.
Mirko Jurlj (Blacktown City FC) – goal – exquisite chip down the middle of the goal.
In the Grade-20 division, Sydney United progressed to a meeting with Blacktown City FC next weekend following a 1-0 defeat of Sydney Olympic. Luke Gearin’s unfortunate own goal in the 19’ minute was enough for the Reds to secure the win in a hard fought battle. The loss for the Blues sets up a showdown with the winner of the elimination semi-final, Bankstown City following the Lions extra-time defeat of Sutherland Sharks.
Match Stats
Blacktown City FC 1 (Joel Chianese 13’ )
Sydney United 1 (Luka Glavas 52’ )
Blacktown City FC 5-4 victors on penalties.
Sunday, 8th August, 2010
Lily Homes Stadium, Seven Hills
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Assistant Referees: Steven Nguyen and Adam Coombes
Fourth Official: Adam Weir
Crowd: 700 Approx.
Blacktown City FC: 1.Brodie Crane; 2.Tyler Simpson, 4.Mirko Jurilj, 23.Luke Austin, 6.Matt Pressello, 7.Luke Roodenberg (C), 9.Kain Rastall (10.Jordan Simpson 68’), 11.Mitchell Long, 17.Joel Chianese (16.Ante Deur 111’), 18.Travis Major (40.Justin Biega 92’), 19.Tolgay Ozbey
Substitutes Not Used: 8.Chris Bedzo, 12.Bernie Ibini
Yellow Cards: Tyler Simpson 30’, Jordan Simpson 71’
Red Cards: Matt Pressello 77’, Brodie Crane 92’
Sydney United: 1.Ryan Norval; 4.Michael Cindric, 5.Damon Collina, 6.Joe Vrkic (C), 8.Shane Lyons, 14.Petar Markovic (10.Steve Hayes 46’), 23.Ivo Bosnar, 22.Peter Zorbas (21.Sean Mitchell 91’), 19.Mitchell Thompson (7.Todd Brodie 74’), 16.Elsid Barkhousir, 11.Luka Glavas
Substitutes Not Used: 28.Mitchell Spears, 30.Cem Akilli
Yellow Cards: Ivo Bosnar 54’
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings:
3 – Mirko Jurlj (BCFC)
2 – Luka Glavas (SU)
1 – Justin Biega (BCFC)
-By Joseph Carlucci
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