Jekyll and Hyde – Sydney Olympic 0-2 Sydney United

After an impressive display last Sunday at APIA, expectations were there that we would now kick on from there and keep that same intensity for the rest of the season. Unfortunately it has not worked out that way, as we didn’t perform anywhere near like we did last Sunday, instead we brought out a performance which mirrored our effort from 2 Sunday’s ago. Where we laid down at home against Blacktown City, meaning we have now dished up 2 poor home performances in a row, not good enough in front of the Sydney Olympic Supporters.

The first-half mirrored the effort of our first-half from our last home game, no spark, poor play and constantly inviting the opposition into our own half and to do whatever they wanted in our defensive third, while also giving up several chances. Within the first 5 minutes one of those chances was turned into a goal as a deflected effort from the opposition beat Paul Henderson, we were down 1-0 and looking in all sorts of trouble. We had no real response to what the opposition was throwing at us and we couldn’t muster a decent chance of our own. If not for a shocking penalty miss from the opposition we would have been 2-0 down and deservedly so. Only minutes before half-time, we had one great chance to equalise and put that miserable first-half performance behind us with a great headed chance, unfortunately it was headed over the bar, to the dismay of the Sydney Olympic Supporters. We went to the break 1-0 down.

The second-half saw much of the same although we did start to play a little bit better, there were not many highlights from either side as the match turned into a real midfield battle. Around 20 minutes from the end we had a great chance to level the scores as the ball was flung into the penalty area, the ball subsequently fell onto the chest of one our players (Gligor I think) who had a quick snap volley but it was blocked by the opposition defence. We tried hard to push and get that all-important equaliser, but in doing so we left too much room at the back and the opposition broke away on the counter to score, meaning we were now 2-0 down with around 10 minutes to go. Late on we did manage to find the back of the net but it was controversially ruled out for offside. We tried hard near the end but it was just too little too late, as we went down at home again.

It was a display lacking any real energy and intensity, a match where we created very few chances. Even more worryingly, we are starting to resemble a Jekyll and Hyde team, one week showing up and looking good and committed and the next week looking lethargic and dis-interested in the game altogether, which is something you never want to see from your team.

Also playing long balls to a relatively short and isolated striker when he is up against 2 tall centre-backs was poor and it happened time and time again on Sunday, as he never had anyone anywhere near him to help out.

If that isn’t concerning enough, Max Burgess who has been one of our best players this season did not play, as he has left for Portugal to have some trials over there, once again not great timing but Sydney Olympic’s current status means the Club cannot hold him back. Peter Makrillos saw his first action for 2017 after a long injury lay-off playing around 20 minutes, no news is forth-coming on what the situation is for Jake de Marigny.

It doesn’t matter which board or whichever coach comes in, one thing is for certain with Sydney Olympic over the last few years, that is, no depth and relying on the same 12-13 players to get us through the season and every year we never learn. You don’t do shit in this League without 17-18 players you can rely on and trust every single week. And when the games are coming thick and fast this problem is only magnified.

In terms of the Club Championship, the U20’s got up winning 2-0, thanks to 2 goals from Jinya An, who is making his way back from injury and boy don’t we need him back in first grade quick smart, in the U18’s the score ended in a 2-2 draw.

Our next match is this Wednesday Night, May 10, a Round 6 FFA Cup Qualifier against Parramatta FC at Belmore Sports Ground, Kick-Off is 7.30pm.

Our next match in the League is next Sunday Afternoon, May 14, against Hakoah Sydney City-East at Hensley Athletic Field (Eastgardens), Kick-Off is at 3pm.