Sydney United 58 FC have returned from Lambert Park and its clash with the Tigers empty handed.
United couldn’t overcome a two goal deficit conceded in the first half, especially after playing almost the entire second half a man down.
The visitors had their chances but just could not convert any of them, making the home side’s task of holding on even easier.
Even the reliable Chris Triantis could not find the back of the net in a frustrating match.
In the 18th minute the Tigers made a breakthrough: spotting Nathan Elasi drifting alone near the far post, Franco Parisi hit a cross-field pass which dropped perfectly in front of goal for the winger, who connected with the ball first time to volley past Pasfield.
The opening goal gave way to a flurry of yellow cards, with Marc Warren, Adrian Ucchino and Zuvela all going into the referee’s notebook as the first half wore on.
Ucchino doubled the home side’s advantage in the 37th minute after a slalom run from Parisi down the byline; the midfielder passing across the face of goal to his teammate, who slammed a shot past a defender on the line.
Two goals and a man up, APIA was content in the last 45 minutes to slow the tempo of the game and frustrate a 10 man Sydney United without the ball.
“We had to keep going and improve in the second half,” said United midfielder Panni Nikas.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]”We didn’t think the game was lost at halftime, and if we had a bit more composure it might’ve been different, because we had chances.[/social_quote]
“It’s always difficult playing with 10 men, especially when you’re 2-0 down, but we committed ourselves well and probably played better with 10 than we did with 11.’’
RESULTS ROUND 18:
Manly United 1-2 Blacktown City FC;
Leichhardt Tigers 2-0 Sydney United 58 FC 0;
Bonnyrigg White Eagles 3-1 South Coast Wolves;
Marconi Stallions 0-2 Sydney Olympic FC;
Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans and Rockdale City Suns v Sutherland Sharks were washed out.
