Header photo by Jaime Castaneda (@jamcas50)
Sydney FC proved they won’t be pushovers in this years National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition claiming the scalp of Hakoah Sydney City East FC at Hensley Athletic Field as new coach Jimmy Van Weeren started off his campaign on the right note.
Goals on either side of half time to Marco Tilio and Jordan Swibel ensured that they came away with the spoils.
For home side Hakoah Sydney City East, it was clear that their combinations haven’t quite yet clicked. Despite this Amaury Gauthier was able to score from the spot.
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The game started off in enthralling fashion with both sides going all out to open the scoring.
Harry Van Der Saag nearly opened the visitors season spectacularly with a long range right footed volley rattling the crossbar after 3 minutes.
It didn’t take long for the home side to respond as Oliver Green saw his left footed volley fly over the crossbar shortly after.
Tilio was causing all types of problems for the home sides defense and his effort off a quick break on 10 mins was saved down low.
Hakoah weren’t so lucky shortly after, with Tilio showing a great turn off pace before being brought down inside the box.
The midfielder converted into the right side netting.
The lead didn’t last long as the home side won a penalty of their own.
Amaury Gauthier caused all sorts of problems as he snuck inside his defender before being brought down. He, just like Tilio stepped up and scored the penalty he won.
Tilio started the second period like the first never ended, the young gun showed some dribbling skills before combining with Lamberton whose shot deflected over the bar.
Hakoah weren’t without their chances at the other end, but weren’t able to get a shot off at the pivotal moment.
Sydney FC once again took the lead with 15 minutes to go and it proved to be the match winner.
A long ball from Swibel who showed composure beyond his years controlling and finishing well.
Victorious Sydney FC coach Jim Van Weeren was pleased his team continued their pre-season form.
“It was a nice reward for the boys who have had a really positive pre-season, we did really well all over the park which is pleasing”.
On man of the match Marco Tilio, “His one of a few special players we have in this environment, he played really well today”.
Hakoah Sydney City East Gavin Rae was frustrated with his team’s start.
“Overall we didn’t do enough to win it, we can play a lot better than that and they snatched a win”.
Match Stats
Hakoah Sydney City East 1 (Amaury Gauthier 22’)
Sydney FC 2 (Marco Tilio 14’, Jordi Swibel 76’)
Sunday 10th March, 2019
Hensley Athletic Field, Eastgardens
Referee: S. Lucas
Assistant Referees: S. Edeling and N. McOrist
Fourth Official: P. Reynolds
Hakoah Sydney City East: 39 Ryan Norval, 2 Connor Shaddock, 3 James Coombes, 5 Steven Katsionis, 6 Dominic Cox, 8 Oliver Green (12 Steven Chester), 9 Shohei Okuno,13 Robert Ezekiel, 17 Harry Jones (10 Nathan Roberts), 24 Amaury Gauthier (7 Addison Sayan), 60 Taka Noji.
Substitutes Not Used: 11 Jack Green, 25 Max Ephraim
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney FC: 1 Thomas Heward-Belle, 2 Daniel Blachura (17 Callum Talbot), 3 Ben Van Meurs, 5 Patrick Scibilio, 6 Harry Van Der Saag, 7 Jerry Skotadis, 8 Joel King, 9 Hamish Lamberton (24 Jake Hollman), 10 Marco Tilio, 13 Jordi Swibel, 18 Benjamin Koop (12 Giuseppe Tilio).
Substitutes Not Used: 20 David Malishev,
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Player Ratings
3- Marco Tilio (SFC)
2- James Coombes (HAK)
1- Harry Van Der Saag (SS)
U20’s Review:
Hakoah Sydney City East 1-1 Sydney FC, at Hensley Athletic Field
Hakoah’s Neil Jablonski can be pleased with a point at home to Sydney FC after a “hectic preseason” which he described as more about recruitment than playing.
The two sides shared goals before halftime, with Jordan Koton netting for the hosts.
After taking a point against a side which only lost last year’s final on penalties, Hakoah will look to build towards a win next week.
