Sydney United create Australian football history
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Sydney United 58 FC have created football history in Australia when they reached the final of the Australia Cup on Sunday.
Sydney United 58, a club formed by Australian Croatians, beat A- League professional side Brisbane Roar 3-2 in extra-time in the semi-final of the Australia Cup to become the first second tier side to ever reach the final.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd of over 12,000, many wearing Croatian checks and waving big Croatian flags, Sydney came from behind twice to record a famous win.
Brisbane Roar opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Riku Danzaki before Matthew Bilic equalised for Sydney. Charlie Austin put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, before Patrick Antelmi levelled with 20 minutes to go.
Glen Trifiro then gave Sydney the win in extra-time with a class finish to send the fans wild. (Highlights below)
View this post on Instagram
Sydney will play the winner of the Oakleigh Cannons and Macarthur semi-final in the final.
Sydney United 58, which plays in the National Premier Leagues New South Wales, was formed as Sydney Croatia back in 1958, by Croatian Australians.
The club was forced to change its name from Sydney Croatia in the 1990s after a decision was made by the federation to ban the use of ethnic name and logos.
Today the club is led by Croatian coach Miro Vlastelica and has a number of players with Croatian heritage in the squad, including two heroes from the semi-final win – goal-scorer Bilic and goalkeeper Danijel Nizic, who saved a penalty.
Highlights from the match below.
