Sydney United 58 FC
Sydney FC
 
Australia Cup Round of 16
Sydney United Sports Center
2014-09-23T09:30:00+00:00

Sky Blues win Sydney derby

Sydney United 58 FC 1

Paric 45

Sydney FC 3

Naumoff 23, 60, Abbas 91

Two stunning strikes from teenager Christopher Naumoff has ensured Sydney FC avoided a potential Cup shock with a thrilling 3-1 win over Sydney United 58.

In a cracking Cup tie played in front of more than 8000 fans at the Sydney United Sports Centre, Naumoff stole the show with two incredible goals to send the Sky Blues into the last eight.

The first came midway through the first half as he played a neat one-two with Bernie Ibini before unleashing a rocket from 30 yards out which gave United ‘keeper Anthony Costa no chance.

United almost responded immediately with Ante Tomic crashing a header against the post but the home side got their reward for a competitive first half with an equalizer just before the break.

An embarrassing mis-kick from Sydney FC skipper Nikola Petkovic eventually landed into the path of Stjepan Paric who smashed it in from close range to send the home fans into raptures.

But it would be Sydney FC’s – and in particular Naumoff’s night – when he settled the contest on the hour mark with another howitzer.

Picked out by a lofted Terry Antonis pass, the 19-year-old controlled with one touch then from an acute angle tried an audacious volley which dipped over Costa into the far corner of the net.

With United pushing hard for an equalizer late on, Ali Abbas added a third in stoppage time to put the icing on the cake for Graham Arnold’s side.

Related news