Sydney FC’s relegation woes continue as Wolves produce 5-star performance

Sydney FC’s relegation fears have increased after a heavy 5-1 defeat to hungry Wollongong Wolves at the Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday.

First-half goals from Taki Ofuka and Yagoub Mustafa put an end to FC’s plans before the break as Wolves started like a house on fire.

Things got worse for the home side early in the second half when Lachlan Scott’s header found the net, but Darcy Madden scored an own goal in the closing stages from a Namory Conde cross to reduce the lead to two, but extra strikes from substitutes Jake Trew and Chris McStay made it the final score.

Despite the stakes, Banri Kanazumi headed wide from a corner with three minutes to go and Sebastian Hernandez chipped another wide for the Reds before FC got into their stride. Wataru Kamijo responded with a thundering long-range shot that flew over the bar, forcing Wolves to stay alert, especially when Ayouk Mow tried to catch keeper Vedran Janjetovic off his line but pushed the effort wide.

FC keeper Gus Hoesfloot easily saved a Hernandez shot from the edge of the box and was again able to collect the ball from Ofuka, who perhaps could have made a better pass to the galloping McStay, but neither effort could really trouble the gloveman.

However, Hoesfloot, after an initial parry, was powerless to stop a thumping drive from Ofuka, who had been instrumental in Wolves’ good play, in the 22nd minute, which rippled the back of the net to open the scoring. It had been tough for both sides to create decent scoring chances, but the visitors took them with a mixture of determination, patience and hard work.

Ofuka set up McStay with a good run down the left and passed to the midfielder who caught the ball well and forced Hoefsloot into a stunning save low to his right. It was the best move of the game so far with a super stop at the end.

Janjetovic was brave enough to dive at the feet of Mow on the half hour mark, but Wolves broke immediately and Mustafa was on hand to double the visitors’ lead. Unfortunately, it left the Sky Blues with a familiar feeling this campaign of having to chase the game, which was always going to leave them vulnerable at the back.

Mitchell Glasson curled the ball wide for the home side just before half-time in the hope of sparking a revival, but it was Wollongong who had the lead at the break.

Both managers remained confident in their starting XI for the second half, with no changes being made.

Sydney FC’s misery was compounded when a cross from the left was met by Scott who headed the ball over the keeper with a beautifully cushioned header into the far corner of the net to extend their lead just six minutes after the restart. His night would end prematurely when Jake Trew replaced him with 20 minutes remaining.

Jacob Brazete responded with a quick move to the left and then attempted to return the ball, but the attempt was not powerful enough, allowing Janjetovic to easily collect the ball.

In the 67th minute, Sydney FC’s bench was empty after a mass substitution, with only reserve goalkeeper Daniel Solsky having to sit out the game.

When the game was 3-0 down, it was vital to use all possible tactics to get something out of the game.

Brazete headed home a fouled free kick, putting Madden’s name on paper. The Academy side have struggled to score this season, despite playing some good football. Luckily, substitute Namory Conde saw his shot and cross deflected into the net, thanks to the unlucky Madden, allowing the home side to reduce the difference.

It was a short-lived consolation when McStay fired a shot towards goal, but Hoesfloot parried and looked Trew in the eye. Trew reacted first and fired the ball high into the net, restoring the three-goal lead.

The game went into extra time towards the end when McStay finally found the net. Another great goal to round off a 5-star performance from the visiting Wolves. Coach David Carney commentated.

“Overall I think we deserved to win by so many points,” he said.

“We took our chances, which is good, but we’ve been in good form recently and we’ve played a tough team who are fighting relegation. There are a few players away for them, the young Olyroos and first teamers coming back and I’m sure that will make a difference when they come back.

“You can only win from what’s in front of you and I thought our energy levels were excellent. We survived the expected rush from Sydney and then really got going.

“We were committed and deserved to win the game and I said at half-time that if we picked up the pace we would score more goals. We were first to the second ball and overall I thought we played very well tonight.”

While Sydney FC coach Jimmy van Veeren summed up the performance of his young team.

“Not capitalizing on our opportunities is the story of our season,” he said.

“In the first half we could have scored two or three ourselves, but we couldn’t convert them. In addition, in other areas we are only giving away goals and that is disastrous for us.

“We made the changes from the bench because we had to roll the dice and see if we could change the direction of the game. Also, it was for us to give the young substitutes a chance because, being 3-0 down, they deserved their chance to try and change things for us.

“Tonight’s result is starting to take control away from us and we are in a position where we basically have to play a grand final every game until the end of the season, but we are ready for the fight,” he concluded.

Match statistics

Sydney FC 1 (Darcy Madden 81og’)

Wollongong Wolves 5 (Taki Ofuka 22′, Yagoub Mustafa 33′, Lachlan Scott 51′, Jake Trew 87′, Chris McStay 89′)

Ilinden Sports Center, Rockdale

Friday, 26^e July 2024

Referee: Ivica Covic

Assistants: Emma Kocbek and Anastasia Filacouridis

Fourth Official: Thomas Dale

Sydney FC: 20. Gus Hoefsloot, 4. Joseph Calusic, 6. Dylan Rose (2. Noah Mathie 67′), 7. Jacob Brazete, 17. Ayouk Mow (8. Namory Conde 61′), 19. Mitchell Glasson, 22. Will Kennedy , 24. Wataru Kamijo, 32. Samuel Lancaster (28. Nickolas Alfaro 61′), 33. Mathias Macallister (9. Bailey Callaghan 67′), 34. Blake Bolwell (14. Jared Middleton 61′)

Unused substitutes: 30. Daniel Solsky

Yellow cards: Nickolas Alfaro 67′

Red cards: Zero

Wollongong wolves: 1. Vedran Janjetovic, 2. Harrison Buesnel, 3. Darcy Madden, 5. Banri Kanazumi, 6. Sami Riak, 7. Taki Ofuka, 8. Andre Takami (27. Damon Gray 89′), 10. Yagoub Mustafa, 11. Sebastian Hernandez (25. Alex Masciovecchio 82′), 24. Lachie Scott (9. Jake Trew 71′), 88. Chris McStay

Unused substitutes: 13. Oliver Yates, 15. Dax Kelly, 27. Damon Gray, 29. Ben Giason

Yellow cards: Chris McStay 63′, Darcy Madden 78′

Red cards: Zero

Player Ratings

3 – Taki Ofuka (WW)

2 – Chris McStay (WW)

1 – Yagoub Mustafa (WW)

By NPL NSW Men’s Reporter Micky Brock