News from midweek was that we were stripped of 3
points for fielding an ineligible player in our win over Wollongong 2 weeks ago,
essentially destroying our season. It seems to have been a real blow to the
morale of the team, a blow that it could not overcome.
So onto our last match of the year, there was really not much to report, you
could sense that all the air had been let out of the season, the players were
flat. That’s not to say that the players didn’t try, but there was a sense of resignation
that there was not much to play for and it was not really a surprise to see us
go down and end the season with a whimper, after it was looking like we had
turned the corner during the last 6 weeks.
Overall for the expectations of Sydney Olympic, the 2016 season has been an
un-mitigated disaster. A failure of epic proportions and most supporters saw it
coming last November.
2013 need not be spoken about at length, but when Lee and Zorbas came in they
had to sift through the rubble yet still we managed 8 wins and comfortably
avoided relegation. In 2014 the team saw steady improvement, 10 wins, a 4th
placed finish and a Grand Final appearance. In 2015 we had 13 wins, another 4th
placed finish but a poor exit in the Finals, in both years we experienced
decent Cup runs.
We have gone backwards in 2016, instability at Board level saw that uncertainty
last the entire 2015 off-season which meant no heed was being paid to the needs
of the team for the up-coming season, as a result we lost the services of 10
players. People like, Troy Danaskos, Petar Markovic, Brendan Hooper, Go Shirai,
Taiga Soeda, Dimitri Hatzimouratis, Scott Balderson, Yianni Spyrakis, James
Andrew and Ryan Keir.
The club responded by signing 3 players, 2 of which Mark CIndric and Chris
Triantis offered very little and did not even last half a season, the 3rd
was Mitchell Stamatellis, who arguably was our player of the year and a welcome
sight back in the Sydney Olympic shirt.
With that many players not being replaced, it wouldn’t take an Einstein to figure
out that we might struggle and struggle we did. We managed to win only 2 of our
first 10 matches and dug a massive hole for ourselves. We did manage to turn the
season around with a couple of good signings during mid-season and through the
emergence of some younger players who all improved as the season progressed,
which was one of the few highlights and positives for this season. But
unfortunately by then it was too late and it left us too much to do to
seriously challenge the top of the ladder. The bungling of yellow cards and not
knowing how many certain players were on only added to the circus that was 2016,
that bungle put the exclamation point on the season.
Sydney Olympic as a Club, should never have been in the position that it found
itself in. We were chasing our tails it seemed during the whole season. I hope
big lessons are learned so that it never happens again.
Of course off the park, big questions still remain in a number of areas and
they will be talked about all off-season.
Ground Situation -
The relationship between Sydney Olympic and the Bulldogs seems to be at an
all-time low, the bullying of the club by the Council backed Bulldogs has led to
the club being frozen out of the entire Belmore Sports Ground precinct. Of
course when the Bulldogs needed Sydney Olympic to claim millions in Council
money they were Sydney Olympic’s best friend, it seems that since now the
Bulldogs have gotten what they wanted, they want to on top of that oust Sydney
Olympic from Belmore entirely. We could be in a situation where we might need
to find an alternate venue for 2017.
There have been no further updates by the Club or Marrickville Council (or
whatever name that Council goes by now) regarding the alleged Tempe project.
With every passing week it seems like this project will go the way of so many
others throughout the years.
Lack of Media -
I’ve been mentioning this for a long time; it is of vital importance for a Club
like Sydney Olympic which finds itself in its current predicament. A
predicament where there is no exposure or coverage of the League that it plays
in, the supposed 2nd tier of Australia. The Club therefore should
take the bull by the horns in this instance and make sure that its website is updated
regularly, make sure places like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are always
active and updated. The Club is failing to adequately inform the members and
supporters on the goings on of the club. This must change.
AGM -
The wait goes on for an Annual General Meeting, it has been a few years since
the last one and we have been assured repeatedly that there will be one before
the end of 2016, we wait with baited breath.
Over the off-season this blog will do its best to inform and update the
Supporters on any news that might be around about the Club.
Monday, 15 August 2016
Monday, 8 August 2016
Sydney Olympic 0-2 Rockdale
Without some of
our more important players we were in neutral territory last night to take on Rockdale,
Football NSW’s favourite team. In a controversial match, we were defeated,
ending our good recent run of form.
We started the match off very sluggishly I thought and it was a very disjointed display from Sydney Olympic throughout that first 45 minutes. As time and again we were repelling Rockdale attacks on our goal. On numerous occasions we were bailed out by the Great Paul Henderson, who pulled off some magnificent saves to keep the score at 0-0. As the First Half progressed we did start to look a bit better out there, we had one fantastic opportunity to score before half-time but we could not capitalise. We were lacking that real cutting edge and we could not break through for a goal. The supporters who had ventured out to Miranda had to settle for a 0-0 score-line at the half-time break.
The start to the Second Half was a slight improvement on how we started the First Half. We were passing and moving the ball more easily and it looked like we were the better side early on in that Second Half. Rockdale were always a threat breaking out from defense but we handled everything they were throwing at us quite easily. The game turned with about 15 minutes to go as we had a player sent off for a second yellow card, from the resulting free-kick we conceded to go 1-0 down. With 10 men we then took the game to Rockdale, we pushed hard to find an equaliser as we created some very good opportunities. It seemed right at the death that the pressure would pay off as we had a 100% penalty waved away by the referee who was doing his best impersonation of a blind person or even worse, purposely did not award the penalty. This seemed to deflate the team as Rockdale then went down the other end to make it 2-0 and it was effectively game over.
The board and the club needs to stop wasting time, money and resources on bringing in unheard of and untested players from God knows where, especially when there are better players running around in the 18s and 20s that could do a better job and for less money.
Once again Sydney Olympic Supporters were subjected to constant provocations and taunts from Rockdale’s barbaric followers, it seems to be getting worse with them every year. What makes it worse is they seem to be protected by the Federation and it seems they are allowed to do whatever it is they want. Sydney Olympic would be wise to in the future make these home matches against these hillbillies closed affairs to all away fans, for the safety of all Sydney Olympic Supporters.
Quickly on the club communications front, despite all the criticism received this year the club seems to have done nothing about it. The club’s Twitter account has been inactive for over a month, updates are very few and far between on Facebook as well and there is not much information available on the club website. If we are not going to publicise ourselves who will? The Greek papers? They’re too busy raving over the exploits of other teams to worry about the club that represents their constituency.
For the Club Championship, in the U20s we won 1-0, but in the U18s the match will be played this midweek. Add in our loss in First Grade and it was not great weekend.
Next Sunday, August 14, is the final round of the regular season against Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park, Rooty Hill, Kickoff is at 3pm.
We started the match off very sluggishly I thought and it was a very disjointed display from Sydney Olympic throughout that first 45 minutes. As time and again we were repelling Rockdale attacks on our goal. On numerous occasions we were bailed out by the Great Paul Henderson, who pulled off some magnificent saves to keep the score at 0-0. As the First Half progressed we did start to look a bit better out there, we had one fantastic opportunity to score before half-time but we could not capitalise. We were lacking that real cutting edge and we could not break through for a goal. The supporters who had ventured out to Miranda had to settle for a 0-0 score-line at the half-time break.
The start to the Second Half was a slight improvement on how we started the First Half. We were passing and moving the ball more easily and it looked like we were the better side early on in that Second Half. Rockdale were always a threat breaking out from defense but we handled everything they were throwing at us quite easily. The game turned with about 15 minutes to go as we had a player sent off for a second yellow card, from the resulting free-kick we conceded to go 1-0 down. With 10 men we then took the game to Rockdale, we pushed hard to find an equaliser as we created some very good opportunities. It seemed right at the death that the pressure would pay off as we had a 100% penalty waved away by the referee who was doing his best impersonation of a blind person or even worse, purposely did not award the penalty. This seemed to deflate the team as Rockdale then went down the other end to make it 2-0 and it was effectively game over.
The board and the club needs to stop wasting time, money and resources on bringing in unheard of and untested players from God knows where, especially when there are better players running around in the 18s and 20s that could do a better job and for less money.
Once again Sydney Olympic Supporters were subjected to constant provocations and taunts from Rockdale’s barbaric followers, it seems to be getting worse with them every year. What makes it worse is they seem to be protected by the Federation and it seems they are allowed to do whatever it is they want. Sydney Olympic would be wise to in the future make these home matches against these hillbillies closed affairs to all away fans, for the safety of all Sydney Olympic Supporters.
Quickly on the club communications front, despite all the criticism received this year the club seems to have done nothing about it. The club’s Twitter account has been inactive for over a month, updates are very few and far between on Facebook as well and there is not much information available on the club website. If we are not going to publicise ourselves who will? The Greek papers? They’re too busy raving over the exploits of other teams to worry about the club that represents their constituency.
For the Club Championship, in the U20s we won 1-0, but in the U18s the match will be played this midweek. Add in our loss in First Grade and it was not great weekend.
Next Sunday, August 14, is the final round of the regular season against Blacktown Spartans at Blacktown Football Park, Rooty Hill, Kickoff is at 3pm.
Monday, 1 August 2016
On a Roll - Wollongong Wolves 1-2 Sydney Olympic
After 3 victories in
succession, we went down to Wollongong hoping to make it 4 in a row. It’s never
easy to play the Wolves down there and given their current predicament in the
League it proved to be again, as Sydney Olympic had to fight hard to come away
with the victory and the all-important 3 points to continue our great late-season
form.
As in recent weeks we started the match off well and quickly got on top. We controlled the match for large portions of that First Half and created the majority of the chances. 20 minutes into the match and the pressure told, Hagi Gligor finishing off well from a nice cross from Jack Green to put us 1-0 up. After the opening goal we continued to dominate proceedings. Mitch Stamatellis had a chance to double our lead but his header smacked against the crossbar. Just before half-time we would grab our second, which again came through Hagi Gligor to get his First Half double. We had a few other chances throughout the First Half but we could not take advantage. Wollongong Wolves had a couple of half chances throughout the First Half but never really looked like scoring, at half-time we were the dominant team and went to the sheds leading 2-0.
As if realising the gravity of their current predicament, Wollongong came out hard in the Second Half in a bid to get back into the match. Within the first 5 minutes of the Second Half they had already pulled a goal back, via the penalty spot. The next 40 minutes would turn out to be some nail-biting stuff as Wollongong searched for another goal and us trying to hold on. Paul Henderson had another great match between the sticks as he made crucial saves down the stretch. Of course with Wollongong pushing hard looking for the equaliser it gave us a couple of opportunities to hit them on the break, all of which came to no avail. With time ticking down Wollongong gave it one last shot but our defense held firm and the relief was clear for all to see as the referee blew for full-time to give us a 2-1 victory, our fourth on the trot.
It was the classic “game of two halves” as the momentum swung from Sydney Olympic in the First Half to Wollongong Wolves in the Second Half, but we were good enough to hold on and bank another important 3 points. A Finals berth is within our reach, something that most would have though impossible earlier in the season. Well done to everybody on our recent form.
For the Club Championship, in the U18s we lost 4-0 and in the U20s we won 2-1. Combined with our 2-1 victory in First Grade this secured us 18 points towards the Club Championship. It’s been a big change from 6-8 weeks ago, where it looked like we would be involved in a relegation battle to now being comfortably inside the top half of the Club Championship.
Next weekend, Sunday August 7, is our last home game of the year, it will be a big day, so hopefully plenty of Sydney Olympic Supporters come down and support the club and help continue our late season form.
In what we hope will be an annual thing at every last home match of the season, the Sydney Olympic old boys will play against a team of NSL all-stars at 2pm, prior to the First Grade match.
There will be plenty of other things happening at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday as the club will unveil its new logo for 2017 and beyond. Check the clubs website and official channels for further details.
First Grade Kickoff at Belmore Sports Ground for the match against Rockdale is 3pm.
As in recent weeks we started the match off well and quickly got on top. We controlled the match for large portions of that First Half and created the majority of the chances. 20 minutes into the match and the pressure told, Hagi Gligor finishing off well from a nice cross from Jack Green to put us 1-0 up. After the opening goal we continued to dominate proceedings. Mitch Stamatellis had a chance to double our lead but his header smacked against the crossbar. Just before half-time we would grab our second, which again came through Hagi Gligor to get his First Half double. We had a few other chances throughout the First Half but we could not take advantage. Wollongong Wolves had a couple of half chances throughout the First Half but never really looked like scoring, at half-time we were the dominant team and went to the sheds leading 2-0.
As if realising the gravity of their current predicament, Wollongong came out hard in the Second Half in a bid to get back into the match. Within the first 5 minutes of the Second Half they had already pulled a goal back, via the penalty spot. The next 40 minutes would turn out to be some nail-biting stuff as Wollongong searched for another goal and us trying to hold on. Paul Henderson had another great match between the sticks as he made crucial saves down the stretch. Of course with Wollongong pushing hard looking for the equaliser it gave us a couple of opportunities to hit them on the break, all of which came to no avail. With time ticking down Wollongong gave it one last shot but our defense held firm and the relief was clear for all to see as the referee blew for full-time to give us a 2-1 victory, our fourth on the trot.
It was the classic “game of two halves” as the momentum swung from Sydney Olympic in the First Half to Wollongong Wolves in the Second Half, but we were good enough to hold on and bank another important 3 points. A Finals berth is within our reach, something that most would have though impossible earlier in the season. Well done to everybody on our recent form.
For the Club Championship, in the U18s we lost 4-0 and in the U20s we won 2-1. Combined with our 2-1 victory in First Grade this secured us 18 points towards the Club Championship. It’s been a big change from 6-8 weeks ago, where it looked like we would be involved in a relegation battle to now being comfortably inside the top half of the Club Championship.
Next weekend, Sunday August 7, is our last home game of the year, it will be a big day, so hopefully plenty of Sydney Olympic Supporters come down and support the club and help continue our late season form.
In what we hope will be an annual thing at every last home match of the season, the Sydney Olympic old boys will play against a team of NSL all-stars at 2pm, prior to the First Grade match.
There will be plenty of other things happening at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday as the club will unveil its new logo for 2017 and beyond. Check the clubs website and official channels for further details.
First Grade Kickoff at Belmore Sports Ground for the match against Rockdale is 3pm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)