Socceroo Matthew Spiranovic and our Matildas Emily van Egmond and Teigen Allen showcase the Red & Black’s class across the globe
The weekly segment which takes you through what our players are doing during the Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League and Foxtel National Youth League off-season.
Over in Brazil our Socceroo defender Matthew Spiranovic has had a solid tournament so far in the FIFA World Cup with two impressive performances against Chile and the Netherlands winning him respect around the world. Spira has been solid in defence marking the likes of Robin van Persie while showcasing his strong leadership controlling Australia-s back line and classy technique when going forward.
Over in America-s National Women-s Soccer League, Saturday saw Emily van Egmond continue her brilliant start at the Chicago Red Stars backing up last week-s goal scoring debut with a 21st minute assist. Van Egmond helping spark the Red Stars attack tirelessly throughout the match but unable to find the back of the net herself as the side were held to a 2-2 draw with Sky Blue FC.
Still in the NWSL Thursday night saw van Egmond take on her Western Sydney teammate Teigen Allen as the Red Stars faced up against Western New York Flash. Neither girl was able to fully make an impact as the Western Flash downed the Red Stars 2-0.
Back in Australia with the Men-s NPL1 and Brendan Hooper and James Baldacchinho had two great performances as their sides played out a 1-1 draw in Sydney. After Olympic took an early three minute lead the side continued to dominate for much of the first and second half with Hooper as always a rock at the back for Olympic ensuring every Wolves attack was repelled.
However after a resilient second half performance from James Baldacchinho South Coast were able to crawl back into the encounter and in a moment of brilliance scored the equaliser, ending the match 1-1.
Jake McGing helped his side to a 1-0 upset win over third place Blacktown City. McGing worked tirelessly throughout the entire 90 minutes helping provide the Stallions waves of attack and ultimately seal all three points.
Unfortunately for Shayne D-Cunha his Red & Black teammate-s success was his misery as yet another solid 80 minutes on the park for Blacktown City wasn-t enough to help inspire his side to a goal. The loss to Marconi is a serious setback for D-Cunha and City-s title aspirations.
Over to Rockdale where Sean Symons had a much quieter match than usual, the City Suns- sensational player unable to find himself back in a familiar position on the score sheet in what was undoubtedly a frustrating 1-0 loss to first placed Blacktown Spartans.
In the Men-s NPL U20-s our Blacktown City pairing had a game to remember with Matthew Stewart grabbing a thrilling goal in the side-s 4-0 thumping of Marconi. Stewart waiting on the edge of the box as City took a corner found himself on the receiving end of the clearance, taking one touch and directing a powerful volley perfectly into the top right corner of goals.
Blake Tuxford in goals for City also put in a sound performance combining perfectly with his Wanderers defender to ensure City left the pitch with a clean sheet intact. Tuxford was again dominant aerially eliminating any Marconi threat from set pieces.
Away to the Bonnyrigg White Eagles Mark Cindric enjoyed a game of mixed emotions for Sydney United 58-s U20-s side with Cindric finding himself on the score sheet after weeks of deserved performances only to watch his side go down in a devastating 4-1 loss. The attacking ace was a constant threat down the left wing providing much of United-s attack but unable to combine with his teammates to find the back of the net.
Also involved in a stunning four goal display was Thomas Manos in the Men-s NPL2. Since signing for the Rangers Manos has used his outstanding reflexes and solid distribution to lift the side off the bottom of the NPL2 ladder. This weekend was no exception with Manos again one of Mt. Druitt Town Rangers standout performers. The young keeper was certainly pivotal making two wonderful left handed saves, keeping Fraser Park out of the match in a 4-1 victory.
In the Women-s NPL1 our Red & Black contingent for the Illawarra Stingrays, Jordan Baker and Michelle Carney, were yet again the match winners as Baker added to her ever growing tally for the Stingrays grabbing the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Sydney University.
While Helen Petinos put in an energetic 90 minutes in attack for the Marconi Stallions proving pivotal in keeping their season alive as she helped the Stallions to a 1-1 draw with second placed Manly United.
THIS WEEKEND:
With the Hyundai A-League season completed you can still support your Wanderers as our players star for another week in the National Premier League and across the world.
Matthew Spiranovic will lead Australia-s defensive line in our final World Cup fixture as the Socceroos take on former Champions Spain. After two solid, albeit ultimately disappointing, matches already played out it will be your last chance to catch the Red & Black-s star defender in World Cup action with the match live on SBS from 1:30am Tuesday morning.
Keeping with the overseas theme Teigen Allen and the Western New York Flash will try their luck against the NWSL-s runaway leaders Seattle Reign while Emily van Egmond will look to continue her fantastic start at the Chicago Red Stars with a trip south to face FC Kansas City.
In the Men-s NPL1 Jake McGing will aim to help his side to another crucial victory when Marconi host the Sutherland Sharks. Sutherland sits just two points ahead of Marconi on the table setting up nicely for the 7:30pm clash on Saturday night to be a toughly contested battle.
Also on Saturday night Shayne D-Cunha, Matthew Stewart and Blake Tuxford take to the pitch for Blacktown City against APIA Leichardt. Stewart and Tuxford kick off the action with the U20s from 5:45pm with D-Cunha and the senior squad following at 7:45pm.
Finishing up our Saturday action is Mark Cindric who-s Sydney United 58 travel to Cromer Park in Dee Why where they face last placed Manly United from 5:30pm.
On Sunday Brendan Hooper-s Sydney Olympic will look to make amends for their last minute lapse in concentration when they face a struggling St. George side from 3pm at Jubilee Oval, Korarah.
While the fixture of the round for Wanderers fans sees Sean Symons aim to get back on the score sheet as the Rockdale City Suns travel south to face James Baldacchino and the South Coast Wolves. That match is from 3pm on Sunday at Win Stadium, Wollongong.
Back in Sydney Thomas Manos for NPL2 side the Mt. Druitt Town Rangers travels to Blacktown looking to build on an emphatic 4-1 win when they take on the Hill Brumbies. Given a favourable result for the Rangers the side could potentially leap frog their opponents into the top half of the table. Manos and Mt. Druitt taking to the field at Lily-s Football Centre in Blacktown at 7:30pm Saturday evening.
In the Women-s NPL1 Jordan Baker and Michelle Carney will again light the field on fire when they face their toughest challenge yet with the Illawarra Stingrays pitted against an almighty Macarthur Rams outfit. To catch Baker and Carney as they try to knock off the league leaders head to Collegians Sports Ground in Figtree at 3pm on Sunday.
While the Stingrays play the Rams Jenna Kinglsey and the Blacktown Spartans will take on Northbridge FC with that match taking place at 3pm from Blacktown Football Park.
Finishing up the weekend will be our Marconi Stallion Helen Petinos who plays two fixtures this week. The first sees Petinos take on the North Western Sydney Koalas and Jessica Seaman on Sunday at 3pm from Marconi Stadium in Bossley Park. While for their second fixture on Thursday evening the Stallions travel to Sydney Olympic Park to try and outmuscle FNSW at 7pm.
