Marconi Stallions and MetroStars have both secured crucial wins on Super Saturday in Round 3 of the 2025 Australian Championship.
Marconi picked up a comfortable victory against fellow New South Wales side Wollongong Wolves, while MetroStars earned their first win of the tournament against a still winless Sydney United.
Marconi Stallions 3-0 Wollongong Wolves
Marconi Stallions have moved to the top of Group B after picking up a dominant, comprehensive win against Wollongong Wolves on Saturday afternoon.
The home side took the lead after a strong opening 14 minutes, with some strong work from Marko Jesic seeing him find William Akio, who calmly slid the ball home.
Marconi could have doubled their lead 20 minutes later, with Akio squaring the ball towards last week’s hat-trick hero Damian Tsekenis on the box, but he was denied by a strong save from Daniel Solsky.
Towards the end of the first half, Wollongong Wolves were arguably lucky to avoid a red card, and appeared to find energy through the decision, as they almost levelled scores, with James Hilton denying Dylan Ryan with a smart stop.
But on the stroke of half-time, Wolves were reduced to 10, with Harrison Buesnel being sent off after a handball in the box.
From 12 yards, Franco Maya stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner, giving his side a formidable lead to take into the second half.
Space was opening up for Marconi on transition in the second half, and in the 67th minute, 17-year-old Noah Anderson scored his first goal in senior football with a powerful strike into the top-left corner.
Despite two sensational goalmouth scrambles on either side of their goal - and other chances - Marconi somehow didn't register any further goals, while Wollongong had a couple of opportunities, which were dealt with by Hilton in goal.
Sydney United 1-2 MetroStars
MetroStars have emerged victorious with an impressive performance away from home at Sydney United Sports Centre, to pick up their first Australian Championship victory.
The hosts began the match strongly and struck the post via Aidan Milicevic as they looked to make amends from last week's 4-0 defeat to APIA Leichhardt.
And in the seventh minute, United took the lead, with Michael Krislovic calmly slotting the ball home while one-on-one after being played in behind by Marco Arambasic.
15 minutes later, MetroStars were denied a surefire equaliser thanks to a fantastic Vedran Janjetovic save, who denied Jake Porter after being found in behind by Thomas Visser.
The remainder of the first 45 followed a consistent pattern - the home side sat deep, with MetroStars dominating possession in their attacking half, but struggling to create any major opportunities to equalise.
But five minutes into the second half, the South Australian Premiers found their goal, with Michael Cittadini converting on the rebound after Janjetovic saved Thomas Visser’s original effort from inside the box.
And in the 56th minute, MetroStars moved ahead, netting a brilliant team goal that finished with Christian Sotira and Visser combining beautifully to see the latter find the back of the net.
The game became more even following the change in leader, but it was MetroStars who created the next major opportunity, with Michael Cittadini striking the post and Visser dragging a golden opportunity wide in back-to-back shots.
MetroStars saw the game out professionally and have now moved to third in Group D, while United sit bottom with just one point from three matches.
