Newly crowned Premiers Rockdale Ilinden earnt their ticket to the Marconi Stadium grand final this weekend with a tremendous 3-0 victory against Sydney Olympic on Saturday night.
The stage is set for a 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Men's competition grand final with fierce rivals Sydney United 58 where the battle between first against third takes place in the decider.
Rockdale Ilinden booked their grand final ticket with a comprehensive 3-0 win against Sydney Olympic at Ilinden Sports Centre.
Coach Steve Zoric's men brought their season's good form into the crucial semi-final clash as they proved far too clinical for their opponents whose defensive errors ended up being their downfall.
After a testing, early period Rockdale kicked things off with a great opening goal in the 29th minute thanks to a stunning Michael Neil strike.
It was some decent build-up play from the Ilinden back-line that saw Banri Kanaizumi launch a long ball forward that saw Patrick Savor head it through to a rampaging Neill who smashed the ball with a thunderous strike sending the home fans into raptures.
It was Neill again who turned the game on its head with two minutes remaining when before the break after challenging and picking up a loose ball he was brought down in the box by Olympic's Jason Madonis.
Female referee Katie Patterson had no hesitation awarding the penalty which was taken by Japanese import Tomoki Wada.
It was a nasty blow for the team in blue who went into the break knowing they needed a miracle in the second half to get back into the match.
Ante Juric's Olympic team hit the wall in the 57th minute when the young Jaden Casella pounced on another defensive blunder by Olympic when an elusive Amaury Gauthier slipped a ball to Casella who finished them off in the 57th minute.
Rockdale's youth team earlier had a chance in the Grade 20s semi-final which saw the Sydney FC team prove too strong for them losing 3-1.
Rockdale Club President Dennis Loether said this had been a historic period for the club in what has been a year they will never forget.
"To win the minor premiership and qualify for the grand final is very special and we are full of excitement on what should be a cracking game on Sunday."
To win the minor premiership and qualify for the grand final is special
- Dennis Loether
Rockdale Ilinden 3 (Neill 29, Wada 43, Casella 57) - Sydney Olympic 0.
John Veage
Thirty five year photographer for Fairfax -former NSW Chief Photographer for FCN and now Photo Journalist for the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader in southern Sydney.Official photographer for Cycling Australia (20 years) Official photographer for Surf Life Saving Australia (30 years) Founding Life Member of Cronulla Boardriders Club and Life Member of Surfing Sutherland Shire among other things.
Thirty five year photographer for Fairfax -former NSW Chief Photographer for FCN and now Photo Journalist for the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader in southern Sydney.Official photographer for Cycling Australia (20 years) Official photographer for Surf Life Saving Australia (30 years) Founding Life Member of Cronulla Boardriders Club and Life Member of Surfing Sutherland Shire among other things.
