Sydney Olympic on the double – 2011 NSW Premier League Champions
03.10.11 22:15
Action from the 2011 NSW Premier League Grand Final between Sydney Olympic v Sydney United. (Photos by Damian Briggs and Gavin Leung)
A phenomenal 10,000 + supporters turned out for the final weekend of NSW Premier League football for the year as Sydney Olympic secured the double with a fine 2-0 defeat of Sydney United at Belmore Sports Ground.
Played at a fast pace from the opening whistle, the Blues took an early lead via Alex Smith to kick-start celebrations, even though it was the Reds that had the Blues on the back foot immediately following the resumption of play.
In a hard fought midfield battle throughout the second period, the Blues took their best chance of the half via captain Richard Luksic, doubling the side’s lead and securing a second trophy for 2011 for the Blues following the Premiership win.
Blues coach Peter Tsekenis had David Gullo cleared of his ankle injury to take to the field, meanwhile Luksic was played out on the left with Brett Studman teaming up with Ibrahim Haydar in the middle.
Sydney United’s Jean-Paul De Marigny responded with Steve Hayes pulling the strings behind Luka Glavas and Ben Vidaic, meanwhile Mark Rudan and Michael Cindric had control of the backline.
The Reds’ defensive line was breached in only the 2’ minute as Smith converted a fabulous snap-shot effort. Chris Triantis’ corner delivery from the right was partially cleared by the Reds as Smith finished with aplomb past Vedran Janjetovic.
Sydney United’s response arrived 2’ minutes later down the right flank as Glavas’ centre picked out Vidaic, though the striker’s acrobatic effort was poorly executed as Paul Henderson made a routine save.
The Blues shot-stopper was forced into action in the 5’ minute as he made a sensational diving save to deny Mitchell Thompson’s long-range effort.
The resulting corner saw Hayes play a neat ball back into the path of Mark Rudan who saw his close-range header expertly parried by the exceptional reflexes of Henderson.
The Blues put a stop to the Reds dominant spell with some good possession across the middle of the park.
David Gullo, who passed a late fitness test, showed his class with a mazy run down the left-flank. The young winger combined nicely with playmaker Robbie Mileski, though the Blues forward foray was brought to a halt by Rudan.
Sydney United’s philosophy has been one of pure attacking football this season, and Steve Hayes and Ivo Bosnar got the front pairing of Glavas and Vidaic moving on 15’ minutes. Hayes’ wizardry created an opening to feed the ball to Glavas though a scramble inside the Blues’ penalty-area saw the chance amount to nothing.
Glavas attempted to return the favour on 17’ minutes when he beat the offside trap to go clear down the right.
The lanky striker picked his time to play a square ball into the path of Hayes, though the Reds playmaker failed to force Henderson into a save.
The Reds threatened again in the 20’ minute as Thompson picked out Vidaic with a pin-point floated effort. Vidaic showed his athleticism, forcing Henderson into a fine save from his diving header, though the linesman’s flag would have ruled the goal out for offside had the net been ruffled.
On the half hour, Sydney Olympic threatened the Reds goal from distance. Alex Smith’s neat header into the path of Chris Triantis allowed the midfielder time to line up his shot, though from an acute angle, Chris Triantis skewed his effort wide of Janjetovic’s goal.
Talay orchestrated a free-kick for the Reds at the other end, though Thompson’s lay-off for Ivo Bosnar didn’t allow the Sydney United captain enough time to unleash a clean effort on goal as the Blues thwarted the Reds again.
The Premiers looked to hit the Reds on the counterattack in the 35’ minute and Gullo had a ‘half shout’ for a handball inside the penalty-area ignored by the referee. The resulting corner presented Smith with another look-in at the back post. Smith this time blasted his volley over the crossbar.
Peter Triantis displayed his engine capabilities with a tireless performance throughout the 90’ minutes. The young midfielder was immense alongside Phil Makrys in breaking down the Reds forward movements, and equally as impressive on the ball.
Chris Triantis pressed forward down the right-flank for the Blues on 38’ minutes with a bursting run past his marker before his centered attempt was cleared by Michael Cindric.
Sydney United had a penalty shout of their own ignored by the referee in the 40’ minute as Glavas and Ibrahim Haydar crossed paths. Glavas latched onto Bosnar’s tantalising through pass before the striker went to ground after a contact with the defender – the referee immediately ordered for play to continue.
Following the re-start, Sydney Olympic carved out the opening chance. A sensational goal kick by Henderson picked out Chris Triantis in the attacking third. The Blues number 8 showed his skill and finesse to draw his marker and cut onto his left foot before driving his effort over the crossbar.
The Blues doubled their advantage in the 52’ as captain Richard Luksic made the most of some slack marking at the back post. Gullo’s centre crossed the entire penalty-area and into the path of the tall defender who had the easiest of tasks to head home into an empty net.
Sydney United coach Jean-Paul De Marigny added further firepower to his attacking third with the introduction of Elsid Barkhousir on the hour, though the well marshalled Blues defensive line were unyielding in their performance.
Barkhousir did cause some discomfort for the Blues in the 75’ minute with a powerful attempt from the edge of the penalty-area. The striker did well to create the space for a shot, though dragged his effort wide of the target.
Reds youngster Mitchell Spear’s forward movements down the right-flank in the second-half seemed to gain some momentum for the Reds, though the right-sided defender failed to get any purchase on his cross in the 78’ minute as the Blues defenders thwarted his attempt.
Peter Triantis and Makrys ensured the Reds midfielders failed to see much of the ball in the closing stages as the brick wall created by Studman and Haydar gave the Reds no chance of re-opening the contest.
Following 3’ minutes of injury-time, referee Alex Glasgow called an end to proceedings much to the delight of the Sydney Olympic players and supporters.
Blues coach Peter Tsekenis was ecstatic following the trophy presentation:
“There isn’t much I can say, very happy with the result, even though I don’t think it has actually sunk in yet,” explained Tsekenis.
“We made the grand-final after a great season, and we’ve managed to win it – and I feel we did it very well today with a great performance.
“Sydney United did come at us after conceding the goal, though we knew how to handle it. ‘Hendo’ made a great save and we fought hard, we knew how to suffer in that period, and then went about our game – that is what grand-final football is about at times.
“I don’t think the performance was a polished one, though for a final that is required at times and I am happy with how we performed.
“Grand-finals are won when everyone pulls their weight, and today all the boys did this so the club is very pleased,” concluded Tsekenis.
Out of the opposite dressing rooms, Sydney United’s Jean-Paul De Marigny was visibly disappointed with the final outcome:
“We had a game plan and the boys really put in a big effort today,” commented De Marigny.
“We had some really good spells and we managed to create some chances after conceding the early goal, though their goalkeeper made two fabulous saves.
“The disappointing thing is the way we conceded the goals today, again via set-pieces… both goals.
“The same thing happened two weeks ago, we lost 2-0 here and both the goals arrived via set-pieces, which is extremely disappointing to lose in the same way today,” explained the Reds coach.
“Looking back at the season, we set objectives, we played some good football and made the final – obviously we wanted to win today, though I have to say that I am very proud of the boys and the efforts that have been put in this season,” De Marigny ended.
Peter Triantis’ hard working display earned the youngster the Robbie Slater Medal for man of the match. The midfielder didn’t miss a beat in a tireless showing alongside Phil Makrys for the Blues, a constant menace for the Reds with his clean tackling and ability to break-up Sydney United’s forward movements.
Sydney Olympic 2 (Alex Smith 2’, Richard Luksic 52’)
Sydney United 0
Monday 3rd October, 2011
Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore
Referee: Alex Glasgow
Assistant Referees: Lance Greenshields and Adam Coombes
Fourth Official: Kurt Ams
Sydney Olympic: 1.Paul Henderson; 2.Emmanuel Giannaros, 3.Brett Studman, 4.Ibrahim Haydar, 5.Richard Luksic (C), 6.Alex Smith (9.Hussein Akil 80’), 7.Phil Makrys, 8.Chris Triantis, 11.Robbie Mileski (22.Zac Elrich 90’), 16.Peter Triantis, 19.David Gullo (14.Will Angel 65’)
Substitutes Not Used: 18.Jerry Kalouris, 20.Sam Emmanouil
Yellow Cards: Peter Triantis 54’, Phil Makrys 58’, Will Angel 89’
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney United: 1.Vedran Janjetovic; 3.Mitchell Spear, 4.Michael Cindric, 8.Shane Lyons (38.Tomislav Mijic 46’), 10.Steve Hayes, 11.Luka Glavas, 13.Ben Vidaic (18.Daniel Rezo 87’), 15.Ufuk Talay, 19.Mitchell Thompson (9.Elsid Barkhousir 62’), 21.Mark Rudan, 23.Ivo Bosnar (C)
Substitutes Not Used: 14.Petar Markovic, 20.Ryan Norval, 38.Tom Mijic
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Match Stats
By Chris Georges
Shots (on goal)
Sydney Olympic 8 (2)
Sydney United 7 (5)
Corners
Sydney Olympic 5
Sydney United 7
Fouls committed
Sydney Olympic 14
Sydney United 10
Offsides
Sydney Olympic 4
Sydney United 4
Yellow Cards
Sydney Olympic 3 (Peter Triantis 54’, Phil Makrys 59’, Will Angel 89’)
Sydney United 0
Red Cards
Sydney Olympic 0
Sydney United 0
Player Ratings
Sydney Olympic:
1. Paul Henderson – Made two great saves early in the piece and held his own - 8
2. Emmanuel Giannaros – Solid in defence thwarting Luka Glavas twice and dangerous when moving forward 7
3. Brett Studman – As usual solid in defence keeping Luka Glavas to limited chances on goal 7.5
4. Ibrahim Haydar – Did his job by Studman’s side - 7
5. Richard Luksic – Played out of position at left back but proved his experience with a great captain’s performance - 8
6. Alex Smith – Great volleyed goal in the opening minutes and fought hard throughout – 7.5
7. Phil Makrys – Fought hard in first-half but performance dropped in second 6.5
8. Chris Triantis – Quiet for his standards and could have done better with three shots 6.5
11. Robert Mileski – Held ball up well for his midfielders and did well in attack 7
16. Peter Triantis – Did a great job breaking down play and pushing ball through into attack, as well as dropping into defence to clear ball deservingly receiving the Robbie Slater Medal for man of the match - 9
19. David Gullo – Gave Speers the run around in the second half until coming off injured 7
Substitutes
9. Husky Akil – Not enough time on pitch to make impact - 5.5
14. Will Angel – Provided extra pace out wide but did not make a major impact 5.5
20. Sam Emmanouil – n/a
22. Zac Elrich – Came on in dying minutes of the match – 5.5
Sydney United:
1. Vedran Janjetovic – Was disappointing in conceding both goals 6
3. Mitchell Speers – Great tussle with David Gullo not allowing the former Sydney FC youth player to get the better of him 6.5
4. Michael Cindric – Made some mistakes in defence especially from corners leading to goals 5.5
8. Shane Lyons – Well below par only playing first-half, looked to have picked up an injury - 5.5
10. Steve Hayes – United’s best player providing great passes and troubling the Olympic defence - 7
11. Luka Glavas – Gave the Olympic defence problems in first-half but quiet in the second 6.5
13. Ben Vidaic – An overall quiet game for the former A-League player 5.5
15. Ufuk Talay – Solid in middle of the park controlling the play well with Steve Hayes 7
19. Mitchell Thompson – Speed and accuracy made Olympic midfield struggle in first-half 7
21. Mark Rudan – Had a few troubles in defence - 6
23. Ivo Bosnar – Great captain’s performance, ran all day but could not help his side to victory - 6.5
Substitutes
9. Elsid Barkhousir – Made an impact off the bench with his speed but could not bring United back into the match - 5.5
14. Petar Markovic – n/a
18. Daniel Rezo – Came on very late in match – 5.5
20. Ryan Norval – n/a
38. Tomislav Mijic – Did his job against Christ Triantis defending very well in second-half 6
-By Joseph Carlucci