Olsen Hat-Trick Inspires Ten-Man Sharks To Stunning Comeback Win Over Rockdale
NPL NSW Men's
We produced one of our best performances of the season on Sunday, coming from behind to beat Rockdale Ilinden 3-1 at Ilinden Sports Centre, and doing it with ten men for the final ten minutes made it all the sweeter. The win completes the double over Rockdale this season and pushes us three points clear of them in the race for the top four.
The boys celebrating our 3rd goal - Image: Brett Nielsen Photography
Rockdale started the stronger side and deserved their lead when James Temelkovski finished from close range in the 34th minute after a lovely ball into the box from Moudi Najjar. We'd had our chances before that, with Danijel Nizic called into action a couple of times to keep the scores level, including a brilliant double save to deny Najjar and Brendan Cholakian in quick succession.
We got the goal we needed right before the break. A Diego Bonilla effort struck the arm of Reo Kunimoto in the box, and Nicholas Olsen made no mistake from the penalty spot to level things up at half-time.
Olsen putting away his penalty - Image: Brett Nielsen Photography
The second half was a different story. Five minutes in, Brendan Gan picked out Olsen with a perfectly weighted pass and our striker smashed it into the bottom corner to put us in front. From there we had to dig in, with Brendan Gan and Bonilla both going close with headers as Rockdale threw everything at us chasing an equaliser.
It got tougher in the 80th minute when Gan picked up a second yellow for a foul on the keeper, leaving us to see out the last stretch a man down. Nizic was outstanding again, producing what might be the save of the season to deny Dean Pelekanos' powerful half-volley. Then, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Perez broke clear with support either side and squared for Olsen to complete his hat-trick and put the result beyond doubt.
Nicholas Olsen was the standout on the day with all three goals, but this was a real team effort. Jamie Percevski and Nizic in particular were excellent throughout, and the character shown to hold on with ten men spoke volumes.
Danijel Nizic with an incredible save in the 90th minute - Image: Brett Nielsen Photography
Coach David Perkovic praised the response after a tough first half:
"Rockdale's an absolute top side, in the first half they had the ascendency, but we stayed in the game. The penalty kept us in the game. Second half we were a different side, we were more assertive, we went after the win. Some big character from the players to keep their heads with ten men at the end, really proud of that performance."
Result: Rockdale Ilinden FC 1 – 3 Sutherland Sharks FC
Scorers: Olsen 43', 50', 90+5'
Venue: Ilinden Sports Centre, Rockdale, Sunday 26th July 2026
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