Feature Match of the Week
West Sydney Berries v St George FC
West Sydney Berries may find that Super League is tougher than expected after coming from a goal down to share the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw with St George on Saturday evening.
With the undoubted aim of the club being to gain promotion back to the Premier League this season, the Berries were certainly slow off the mark in this opening fixture.
As early as the third minute, St George had hit the bar after an excellent free kick from Ivo de Jesus cannoned off the woodwork. With the Saints applying early pressure from the kickoff, Simon Verrender, too, also hit the post in what was another escape for the home side.
But the pressure eventually told when St George gained a penalty in the twenty fourth minute following a handball in the area by James Stubbs-Mills. De Jesus coolly, and cleverly, beat Nestor Tsioutas, to give the visitors a deserved lead.
It seemed like St George may have gained a second penalty five minutes later, when Brad Gibson beat the offside trap to cross for Denis Cutura. But Cutura was ultimately carded for diving.
De Jesus and Reuben Lagos were dominant in midfield for the Saints, while the tall Berries striker, James Tsironis was well marked by the Saints defence, particularly Mark Bariamis. It seemed that St George would win this in a canter, such was the dominance in the opening half.
But the second half was to prove differently. Berries coach, Steve Karavatakis clearly had words during the half time break, and the tempo from his side lifted immeasurably.
Stubbs-Mills was just wide, bringing Saints keeper Daniel Nash to life, his first serious activity of the game. Ivan Dariz then hit the bar and the Berries started to get a sniff.
But three chances to St George should have sealed them the game. Cutura forced his way past Louis Duchesne but his shot was saved by Tsioutas, while the Berries keeper also excelled in denying a first time Gibson shot. But perhaps the best chance to double the score fell to Blake Ricciuto, who sent his shot just wide of the post, with only the keeper to beat.
The misses let the Berries off the hook but following the introduction of Kodgo Etonum and Stefan de Jesus, round the hour mark, things started to happen for the home side.
The pace of Etonum caused some worries for the Saints defence, while Maran Amin, wide on the right, also proved a concern for St George.
But it was through the good work of captain, Ante Deur, which set up the Berries’ equaliser. After a tricky run down the left, Deur cut back to the feet of Etonum, who hammered home from right in front.
The Berries’ tails were up and they almost pinched a late winner, but for a fine double save by Nash.
Despite the late point, Berries coach Steve Karavatakis, was far from content.
“I am not satisfied at all with our performance. We started very slowly and St George opened us up. The Saints did play well, and knocked the ball around. They could have finished the game off in the first half. So we certainly have room for improvement”.
Karavatakis agreed that the introduction of the two subs after the hour made a difference.
“Stefan de Jesus and Kodgo Etonum did make a difference. They gave us an option, especially Stefan”.
But the honest coach paid tribute to his opponents.
“They are a tough team and a very good ball playing side. They really deserved the result, although we could have pinched it in the end”.
“We got out of goal”, he finished.
Kory Babington, coach for St George, was also disappointed, though perhaps less so.
“I am happy but disappointed. We could have been a bit more ruthless in the first half, we had plenty of opportunities but the final execution was missing.”
“I feel like it was two points lost but also one point gained, as they could have got the winner late on, especially with their pressure in the last ten minutes.”
Like the Berries, and Steve Karavatakis, Babington is aiming for the top spot.
“Our definate aim is to top the league. Certainly, the talent we have is good enough to win it. The young kids are very perceptive and the older players are very experienced. The balance of age and experience is there, and they all want to play for the club. All I have to do is put my own flavour to the team”.
Match Stats
West Sydney Berries 1 (Kodgo Etonum 76’)
St George 1 (Ivo de Jesus 24’ pen)
12 March 2011
Lidcombe Oval
Referee: Khodr Yagi
Assistants: James Barnes and Adam Coombes
West Sydney Berries: 40. Nestor Tsioutas 3. Louis Duchesne 5. Liam McKenny 6. Nick Tantalos 7. Ivan Dariz 8. Ante Deur (c) 10. James Tsironis 13. Ryan Emerton 15. James Stubbs-Mills (9. Kodgo Etonum 60’) 16. Phil Reilly (12. Stefan de Jesus 65’) 18. Maran Amin (14. Marjan Novotni 89’).
Subs not used: 4. Joe Bruni 22. George Bouropoulos
Yellow cards: James Stubbs-Mills
Coach: Steve Karavatakis
St George: 1. Daniel Nash 2. Michael Smith 4. Daniel Fallico 5. Simon Verrender (c), 6. Reuben Lagos 8. Jason Gonzalez (11. James Kovas 66’) 9. Denis Cutura (7. George Lagoudakis 79’) 14. Mark Bariamis 20. Blake Ricciuto 22. Brad Gibson (40. Jordan Figon) 25. Ivo de Jesus.
Subs not used: 16. Luke Turnbull 21. Diego Arroyo
Yellow cards: Denis Cutura
Coach: Kory Babington
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