Solid Start – Bonnyrigg White Eagles 0-2 Sydney Olympic

I must say, usually when we make the trip out to Bonnyrigg its smack bang in the middle of Winter and it is freezing, so it was a nice change to be drawn against them in a match out there in mid-March. Anyway enough of that, we have started the season off well with a 2-0 victory over Bonnyrigg, a great start to the season and a nice base from which to build from for the rest of the year.

The first 10 or so minutes of the first-half, was as expected right at the start of the season, fairly cagey as both sides were feeling each other out. After this initial settling-in period, we took complete control of the game, dominating possession and creating a plethora of chances. Eventually we capitalised on a chance, as new signing Yu Kuboki was set free on goal, he lobbed the on-rushing Bonnyrigg goalkeeper with the ball nestling in the back of the net to give us a well-deserved 1-0 lead. Just before halftime we doubled our lead and Yu Kuboki got his second of the half, this one a much more easier finish as he was presented with a tap-in, he made no mistake giving us a 2-0 lead at half-time. Truth be told we realistically should have been at least 3 or 4 nil up, but as it was we had to settle for 2-0 and hope we went on with the job in the second-half.

As the saying goes “2-0 is the most dangerous score-line in football” so early in the second-half we started off a bit more cautiously, not wanting to concede a goal and give Bonnyrigg some type of sniff of a come-back. In doing so we seemed to sit back too much and invited pressure. Bonnyrigg had a couple of half chances but luckily they never took full advantage. Midway through the second-half we seemed to switch on again as we got back on the attack and looking for the goal that would kill off the game. We created plenty of openings, but not many clear-cut goal scoring opportunities. The longer it remained 2-0, the belief would remain for Bonnyrigg that they could get something out of the match. In the final stages, Bonnyrigg made one last stand and in doing so gave us an opening to extend our lead, we did have a couple of chances, but neither side would trouble the scoreboard as the score remained 2-0 at the full-time whistle.

It is a good start and as already mentioned a good base from which to build on for the rest of the season. Hendo along with Spyrakis and Stamatellis as CB’s were very solid and rarely troubled. It was a little weird to see Madonis and Angel playing at RB and LB respectively but they did well. The Burgess brothers in the middle with Paul Katsetis were very good. Jinya An and Radovan Pavicevic were busy up front and worked hard as was Yu Kuboki who was rewarded with 2 goals for his efforts.

The boys who came on during the match also did their job and helped bring home the 3 points. Considering Jake de Marigny, Hagi Gligor and Peter Makrillos were all unavailable for the match, that is a lot of quality still to come back into the side. Things are looking promising for 2017.

Kudos to the Club and the lady brought in to do the social media, nothing extraordinary is needed, the line-ups, scores, updates etc. So it was good to see the engagement is there and the pre-game and post-game interviews are much appreciated.

Last week at the Club’s season launch, 3 more Sydney Olympic Legends were added into the Club’s Hall of Fame. They were Abbas Saad, Ante Juric and Grant Lee. Congratulations to all 3 as they all served the Club with distinction, over many years.

Given that the Club is celebrating 60 years in 2017, one of the things I will be bringing up every now and again on this blog, is the idea of a “Sydney Olympic 60 Years Team”. I’m not sure if the Club is aware or has anything planned for this come the end of the season but you would hope they would, as it is a great way to show off the Club’s Great History and it may be something to engage the fans with, even giving them a say on who would make this unbelievable side.

Next week is our first home game of the season and I encourage all Sydney Olympic Supporters to make a little time and come down and support the Club. It will be this Sunday March 19, at Belmore Sports Ground against an improved Wollongong Wolves. Kick-Off is at 3pm.