The Sydney FC NPL side have recorded their first win of the new NPL season with a 2-0 victory over Manly United on Friday night.
The young Sky Blue stars found themselves two up at the break thanks to a brace from Tiago Quintal and were too good for the Northern Beaches side overall to notch their first three points of the season.
With the Isuzu UTE A-League side playing on Saturday night, NPL Head Coach Jimmy van Weeren gave starts to Matty Scarcella (2004 born), Mitch Glasson (2006), Zac De Jesus (2006), Nathan Amanatidis (2006) and Adam Pavlesic (2002) who gained valuable competitive match minutes against a very talented Manly outfit.
Following an early scare with United’s Harry McCarthy striking the crossbar from a tight angle, the Sky Blues built into the contest and were awarded a penalty when Mitch Glasson was quick to pounce on a keeper fumble and upended.
Tiago Quintal (2006 born) stepped up and slotted the penalty confidently into the corner to give his side a deserving lead and they almost had a second when the hosts had a flurry of chances inside the box but Manly got bodies in the way on three seperate occasions.
At the other end, Pavelsic stayed sharp to deny a swift Manly United counter attack with a strong one on one save which helped his side press on for their second which came once again from Quintal.
Glasson broke the offside trap and bearing down on goal, squared the ball back to the on-rushing Quintal who slotted it past Levi Kaye for a two goal lead before the break.
In the second half, Jai Rose (2007 born) had an impressive performance off the bench after playing the full 90 minutes in the U20’s game prior. He controlled the midfield and the Sky Blues could have had more when Jacob Brazete (2006) cut in on his right foot but his effort flashed wide of the up-right.
Van Weeren’s side were defensively resolute with Tyler Williams (2007 born) in the heart of the defence aiding to the second clean sheet from as many matches and ensuring that Sydney FC left with all three points.
“Considering the age of the back four that we had on Friday night, I am very pleased with another clean sheet,” Jimmy van Weeren said.
“Defensively as a collective, everyone put in a good shift and credit to Adam Pavlesic who made a good one on one save.
“Over the 90 minutes we were the dominant team with and without the ball and we created enough chances to win the game comfortably.
“It was good for the A-League boys to get some competitive match minutes under their belt and it can be a challenge considering that they don’t always train with our NPL side but it helps that we align with what the first team are doing,” he concluded.
Next weekend, van Weeren will be back at Rockdale, this time as the away side when they take on newly promoted St George FC.
Sydney FC: 3. Tyler Williams, 4. Joseph Calusic, 5. Richard Nkomo, 8. Lachlan Middleton, 10. Tiago Quintal (35. Jai Rose ’46), 13. Jacob Brazete (14. Jared Middleton ’86), 18. Matthew Scarcella (6. Dylan Rose 46’), 19. Mitchell Glasson (9. Bailey Callaghan ’46), 21. Zachary De Jesus, 28. Nathan Amanatidis (11. Marin France ’46), 30. Adam Pavlesic (GK).
Unused subs: 40. Alexander Zaverdinos.
Yellow cards: Williams ‘33
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