Okubo the hero as Spirit outgun Sydney FC NPL Men's NSW

NWS Spirit FC opened their National Premier League Men’s NSW season account in the best possible fashion with a late winner thanks to new signing Yu Okubo giving them a 3-2 victory over Sydney FC at Christie Park on Saturday evening.

The hosts started both halves the better scoring in the opening three minutes of each stanza. Firstly through Michael Konestabo, then through Takumi Ofuka before a late Yu Okubo winner gave them the three points

While Sydney FC had their best period in the final 15 minutes of the first half scoring through Alen Harbas and Mathias Macallister.

In a reverse to this same fixture in round one last season, NWS Spirit were the side that took control of the fixture early. The hosts opened their account inside three minutes.

Corey Kavanagh worked the ball inside from the left before finding Konestabo who finished well seeing his shot rise from the top of the box into the bottom left corner inside three minutes.

The hosts created further chances in the opening quarter hour one of which saw a lovely left to right move with new recruit Ofuka sliding past his marker and cutting it back to Konestabo whose effort was blocked on it’s path towards goal

However the momentum in the game changed after that with Jimmy Van Weeran’s troops taking the ascendancy.

Their first goal coming through Alen Harbas in the 42nd minute, Harbas controlling a long diagonal ball from Joe Lacey with a good first touch before placing it past the keeper.

The Sky Blues soon completed the first half turnaround minutes later. Another quality assist from Lacey who found Matias Macalister who produced a neat headed finish past Christopher Marques.

That lead did not last long before Spirit found an equaliser, Ofuka marking his club debut with a goal. Ofuka was allowed plenty of time just outside the area from a cleared free-kick before producing a powerful finish in the 47th minute.

Both sides then had a chance to go ahead after the hour. Yu Okubo hooking his shot under pressure past the left post before a cleared corner gave the visitors a chance at the other end. Jay Maltz’s shot then took a deflection just wide of the top left corner in the 74th minute.

And just as it was looking like it would finish level, Spirit found a way to take the three points. A late corner from the left wing fell to Okubo at the back post who finished with aplomb.

NWS Spirit FC head coach David Perkovic was ecstatic with the three opening points.

“Obviously we were ecstatic that we picked up our first three points at home. The guys showed plenty of character, we were on the front foot the whole second half and executed in front of goal.

In contrast, Sydney FC coach Jimmy Van Weeran was disappointed that their first half efforts went unrewarded.

“For large parts of the first half we were the better team, the second half they were more aggressive and we didn’t do well enough to play through it then to concede two set pieces was disappointing.

“Preseason has been good but it’s another thing to have the right mentality in competition games like tonight and we have to be better there.”

Match Stats

NWS Spirit 3 (Konestabo 3’, Ofuka 48’, Okubo 90+1’)

Sydney FC 2 (Harbas 42’, Macallister 44’)

Saturday 8th February, 2025

Christie Park, Macquarie Park

Referee: Hayden Longholz

Assistant Referees: Lindsay Edmonds & Alana Zic

Fourth Official: Declan Woods

NWS Spirit: 1. Christopher Marques, 3. Kyah Williams (5. Jordan Perez 45’), 4. Bradie Smith, 6. Corey Kavanagh (23. Lincoln Gilmour 86’), 7. Frankie Ljucovic, 8. Grant Cornwell, 9. Yu Okubo, 10. Michael Konestabo (14. Marco Arambasic 87’), 13. Simon Nicholas, 19. Zayne Ahluwalia (2. Anthony Younis 71’), 22. Takumi Ofuka.

Substitutes Not Used: 15. Jamie Percevski, 51. Christophe Chen

Yellow Cards: Younis 86’, Nicholas 89’’

Red Cards: Nil

Sydney FC: 40. Alexander Zaverdinos, 5. Corey Cronin, 6. Tyler Williams, 8. Reef Farias (7. Nickolas Alfaro 90+2), 9. Mathias Macallister (22. Junior Conde 83’), 10. Taye Hedley (19. Jay Maltz 71’), 14. Jared Middleton, 18. Alen Harbas, 25. Noah Mathie, 27. Lachlan Middleton (26. Dylan Rose 71’), 29. Joe Lacey,

Substitutes Not Used: 1. Jacob Cremen-Cowan,, 4. Joseph Calusic

Yellow Cards: Harbas 34’, Williams 55’, L.Middleton 60’

Red Cards: Nil

Player Ratings

3- Takumi Ofuka (NWS)

2- Joe Lacey (SYD)

1- Grant Cornwell (NWS)

By Justin Smith