Sydney United 58 remain undefeated in the National Premier Leagues men’s 1 competition after a 1-1 draw against APIA Leichhardt Tigers at Edensor Park on Sunday.
A dire first stanza was quickly forgotten when the tense round 7 affair came to life in the second half after Sydney United 58 took the lead through a great free kick from Chris Triantis.
APIA responded from the spot with Blake Powell slamming the ball into the net after his penalty was initially saved by Jayden Diacono.
The start of the match failed to live up to the high expectations.
Diacono, in goal for United 58 after the late omission of Justin Pasfield, did not look out of place and he came off his line to claim the ball from a Tigers free kick in the 12thminute.
APIA slowly took control of the middle of the park, and forced Diacono into action again within four minutes, as he easily saved two Nathan Elasi shots.
United started pressing their opponents and in turn created chances of their own. After great lead up play by Triantis and Panni Nikas the latter laid off to Stjepan Paric who took a touch before blasting well over the bar.
Sydney United 58 came out from the sheds firing in the second half and hit the back of the net within three minutes thanks to Nikas, only for the goal to be disallowed for an offside call.
The home side would not be denied two minutes later, with a fantastic free kick by Triantis curling over the wall and into the bottom left hand corner to give them the 1-0 lead.
Triantis’ confidence was high after the goal but he could not control his next shot, firing over the bar in the 55th minute.
APIA tried to get back into the game in the 63rd minute with a nice play started by Adrian Ucchino leading to a Powell header flying straight to the chest of Diacono.
The visitors then had a penalty appeal waved away after United right back Daniel Dragicevic looked to have handled the ball in the box.
Sean Symons was left with his head in his hands after his free kicked bounced off the cross bar and out for a goal kick in the 71st minute but it wouldn’t be long before his side equalised from the spot.
Diacono came off his line to punch the ball clear only to take out an oncoming Millgate. The goalkeeper saved the spot kick to his left but the ball fell at the feet of Powell, who slammed it into the net to level the score.
United 58 had a penalty shout of their own turned down in the 85th minute when Robbie Mileski looked to have been brought down but the referee waved it away as the game ended in a stalemate.
Sydney United 58 coach Mark Rudan was positive about the result.
“I thought we definitely had the better of the opportunities particularly in either side of the 18 yard box,” he said.
“I think possession-wise it was quite even, they didn’t really threaten us, we had a young goalkeeper in goals.
“But we came up against a very good opponent and APIA will certainly be up there this year.
“I’m disappointed we didn’t pick up all three points I think we were good enough based on the chances we created.”
ROUND 7 RESULTS:
Blacktown City 1-4 Manly United, at Lilys Football Centre;
South Coast Wolves 3-2 Bonnyrigg White Eagles, at WIN Stadium;
Blacktown Spartans 1-0 Parramatta FC, at Blacktown Football Park;
Sydney Olympic 5-1 Marconi Stallions, at Valentine Sports Park;
Sutherland Sharks 6-2 Rockdale City Suns, at Seymour Shaw Park.
