Former NSW Premier League star Joel Chianese came back to haunt Sydney United as Sydney FC defeated the Reds 1-0 at Edensor Park on Wednesday evening played in front of a healthy 2,500 spectators.
Former NSW Premier League star Joel Chianese came back to haunt Sydney United as Sydney FC defeated the Reds 1-0 at Edensor Park on Wednesday evening played in front of a healthy 2,500 spectators.
There was a special incentive for this highly anticipated match as all proceeds went towards the Queensland Flood victims and Rocklea United FC.
The game was also used as preparation for the Sky Blues- Asian Champions League campaign while for United it was a good friendly hit-out prior to the NSW Premier League season commencing on the 26th of March.
It was Chianese who stole the headlines midway through the second half after a defensive mix up saw the 21-year-old plant a perfectly taken low drive into the back of Vedran Janjetovic-s net.
Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka used his two new players in North Queensland Fury-s Dave Williams and Wellington Phoenix-s Andrew Durante as both came on as second half substitutes.
The game was played at a decent pace as both teams went in search for that elusive goal but it was Chianese who raised his profile as the Sydney FC youth star pushed his claims for some game time in the lucrative Asian Champions League with the only goal of the match.
Sydney United-s tenacious midfielder Ivo Bosnar was happy with how the match went and praised his team for what was a strong showing by the Reds.
“We had a real good shape and I believe we did very well as a team.
“We showed Sydney FC that we were tough to break down and that showed with the scoreline.
“We had a few defenders out coming into the match like Damon Collina, Mark Rudan and Milan Bosnar so our work was cut out but I thought the team held their own.”
Melbourne Heart youngster Ante Tomic made an appearance for Sydney United with the Reds hopeful in securing the talented left-sided star for the up and coming NSW Premier League season.
Sydney United-s first NSW Premier League match is at home to Manly United on the 27th of March with kick-off set for 4pm while for Sydney FC, Suwon Samsung Bluewings are their first opponents in the Asian Champions League round 1 clash set for the 2nd of March at the SFS with kick off set for 8pm.
