Nizic Shines Again As We Earn A Tough Point On The Road Against Sydney FC
NPL NSW Men's | Round 12
We headed to Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre on Friday night and came away with a hard-earned point, holding Sydney FC to a 0–0 draw in a contest that had far more to it than the scoreline suggests.
Both sides created chances throughout, but the story of the night belonged to the goalkeepers. Danijel Nizic was outstanding for us, producing a string of crucial saves to keep the sheet clean against a Sydney FC side that pushed hard to find a winner on home soil. His opposite number Alexander Zaverdinos was equally impressive, which made for one of the best goalkeeping performances you're likely to see at this level.
Danijel Nizic working hard for his clean sheet - Image Credit: Rob Artola
We weren't without our own moments going forward. Jamie Percevski tested Zaverdinos early after a sharp chip from Lachlan Macdonald found him in behind, and Tye McGowan turned well before forcing a diving parry from the Sydney keeper. Thijs van Amerongen also did his job at the back, clearing an Alfaro free kick in the 17th minute when Sydney were starting to build some pressure.
The second half was equally entertaining. Jordan Perez nearly broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute with a low free kick that slipped under the wall, only for Zaverdinos to react sharply and keep it out. Jacob McLachlan had a real moment in the 80th minute, picking up the ball and driving into the Sydney defence on a surging run, but Zaverdinos stood firm again to deny us.
Jacob McLachlan nearly stealing it at the death - Image Credit: Rob Artola
Nizic was equally busy at the other end, denying substitute Taye Hedley twice in quick succession late on to ensure the points were shared. It was the kind of performance from our keeper that doesn't always make the headlines but absolutely earned us this result.
There was no Perkovic quote to include from the source, but Sydney's Zaverdinos summed up the game well, acknowledging Nizic's quality and noting our performance was "really solid overall in spite of the scoreline."
Our boys in action against Sydney FC - Image Credit: Rob Artola