Sydney Olympic and Sutherland Sharks draw after late penalty drama

·

Report by Tobias Canning

Sydney Olympic and the Sutherland Sharks left Belmore Sports Ground with a flurry of late goals and shared the spoils in what was a gripping 1-1 draw on a chilly Saturday, June 15.

Teng Kuol scored what appeared to be an electric winner in the 79th minute for Olympic, however, come the 90+7th minute a spot kick was called, and former Olympic player Mitchell Stamatellis sent Noah James the wrong way to rescue a precious point for the Shire based club.

In what was an extremely one-sided first half between Sydney Olympic and the Sutherland Sharks, the visitors spent most of it on the back foot trying to extinguish everything that the Blues threw at them.

In the 6th minute a miss-hit Roy O’Donovan attempt landed inches away from Abraham Majok who raced towards the ball only to miss out on the game’s first chance at goal.

Three minutes later Majok attacked again, as he powerfully shouldered off the opposition defence delivering the ball to Oliver Puflett who conjured up a strong solo run in the box only to run out of space.

Sutherland’s best opportunity of the first half came in the 13th minute as Kotaro Katsuta committed a mazy run from just inside his own halfway line before he gave the ball off to Matthew Moric who was pulled down just before he could unleash his shot.

In the 37th minute, Majok missed arguably the most clear-cut chance of the game as he failed to score in front of a virtually an empty net.

While Sutherland three-minutes from the half-time whistle nearly put one on the board as un unsuspecting Noah James leapt into action as he palmed away Jay McGowan’s lethal low-driving shot.

The second half commenced with a bang via Katsuta. After the ball landed to the Japanese import outside of the box, he levelled his attempt with some ferocity as it flew centre metres over the top of the net.

On the 62nd minute mark Olympic created their first meaningful chance of the second half as with some speed behind him Majok crashed his chance into Sutherland’s stoic defence and Adam Parkhouse saw his follow up attempt bullied away to safety.

Sharks custodian Nenad Vekic continued to keep Sutherland in the match as his outstretched hand kept away a smartly placed O’Donovan shot hot on the heels of Parkhouse’s attempt.

However, come the 79th minute, Olympic finally had their moment of reckoning as Teng Kuol took one touch before he fired the ball into the bottom corner to open the scoring.

Labinot Haliti’s troops they secured the three points but this was to change in the dying stages of the match.

In the 90+7th minute of extra time the game took an unexpected turn as Stamatellis won a penalty in the box and then sent James the wrong way as he claimed a massive point for his relegation threatened side.

Sydney Olympic attacker Michael Vakis relayed his frustrations upon seeing his side lost out on the three points.

“We feel gutted about the result, Vakis told Football NSW.

“Particularly in the second half we were all over them, but that’s been the story of our season so far unfortunately. We shouldn’t have given away a penalty but it’s something we can build on and learn from.”

“On the bright side Teng Kuol was our goal scorer and he’s somebody who has a very bright future in the game. Look at what his brothers have achieved, and he is also somebody who is an absolute pleasure to play with. When he came on he changed the game for us.”

Source: Football NSW

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Fronditha Care staff member tests positive to COVID-19

On Friday, 10 July 2020, a staff member of Fronditha Care's St Albans residential aged care team tested positive for coronavirus.

Meet three ladies who dared to leave Down-Under for Greek island bliss

Christine Murfitt-Varzakakos lives in Aegina, Greece with her husband George, a native of the island who she married in 2019.

Thanasi Kokkinakis writes about Greek bond with Nick Kyrgios: “nothing has changed since we were kids”

Thanasi Kokkinankis published an honest column in Fox Sports about his relationship with Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios will play his first round in the Australian...