Marconi, 2:30pm Sunday 14th July 2018 Waratah Cup Final (Blacktown)

The Waratah cup was started in 1957, but at that point it was called the Federation Cup. It was renamed to the Waratah Cup in 1991.

Sydney Croatia made the final for the first time in 1971, losing to Hakoah 3-2. Their next final was in 1974 when they won the tournament for the first time, defeating St George Budapest 1-0 in the final. They made the final again in 1976, the last tournament to be played until 1990, once again losing to Hakoah 3-1. Since the tournament was restarted there was another hiatus between 1998 and 2003. With 5 titles since the tournament was resurrected in 1990, Croatia are now only behind Hakoah in the all time list of winners. This season saw us drawn against St George Budapest in the semi, a game I missed due to work commitments, and saw Croatia win 3-2 after extra time. Marconi overcame Manly United at Hensley in the other semi to set up the final that was to be played out of Blacktown.

The team getting ready to play

Our record against Marconi in recent years has not been good. We have not beaten them since 2016 when we beat them 5-1 in the Waratah cup semi at King Tom. To be fair they spent 2 seasons in the NPL 2 but it still feels like a long time. I was hoping that we could end our problems in front of goal in this game; we have been creating chances but not being able to put the ball in the net. The sun was shining and there was a brisk wind at Lily’s football centre as the teams walked out onto the pitch for the final. The SUS, taking great pleasure in the end of the NCIP, had flags a plenty flying in the breeze. Let’s face it – it was a racist, outdated policy that should never have been put into place in the first place. I find it astounding that a nation built on immigrants would come up with such an absurd idea. But then the FFA is full of great ideas, isn’t it? I liked the banner “time is up - CROATIA is back”. Should we change the name back to Croatia Sydney? Yes, in my opinion. The reason for this is two fold: we should never have been forced to change it in the first place in 1992 by the authorities; secondly I don’t see what benefit changing the name to United has actually had. We are still treated poorly and we all still chant Sydney Croatia at games. Don’t think that it will affect our chances in a national second division, it won’t. And to all those on Facebook who think it’s a bad idea and taking everything back to the old NSL days, so what? The NSL was much more interesting than the sanitised product that you have ended up with. Real football for real supporters.

Flags a plenty!

Anyway, rant over and on to the game. The game kicked off at a pace and Croatia got into their passing game early and should have taken the lead after less than 10 minutes when pressure forced a poor back pass from a Marconi defender that Simonoski intercepted to go one on one with the keeper. Unfortunately, as has been the case lately the keeper pulled off a smart save and the chance went. The game did not slow down and both teams were finding space at a premium. But it was Croatia that were getting behind Marconi and deservedly took the lead just before the half hour. A long cross was falling to Antelmi but he could not bring the ball down, it fell to Simonoski behind him who lashed a shot into the roof of the net to give Croatia the lead. He ran straight to take the adulation of the SUS and the majority of the large crowd was in buoyant mood. Marconi picked up the pace and almost levelled it on 40 mins when a goal bound header was cleared off the line by Bilic. The warning was not heeded though and right on half time Marconi scored. A hopeful cross found its way to an unmarked Jesic at the back who sent a looping header that just evaded Manos to level it up.

Perfect day for it

The second half started in much the same vein as the first with Croatia making all the running, and almost took the lead when Antelmi hit the post from the edge of the area early on. Marconi then nearly caught Croatia on the break, Jesic denied by Manos. Matthew Sim then nearly gave Croatia the lead 20 minutes in when he curled a beauty of a free kick that was somehow clawed away by Vekic in the Marconi goal. Croatia were starting to look a little vulnerable on the break and it was one such break that changed the game. James Andrew was caught by Bilic when flying, and although he never looked like getting to the ball, Bilic had already been booked and was sent off. I thought the first booking was harsh to be honest and the ref seemed to let a lot of Marconi fouls go without a yellow. It meant that Croatia had to play out the game with 10 men.

The game began to get away from Croatia after this as Marconi poured forward in search of the winner. They eventually took the lead with 9 minutes remaining when the unfortunate Vlastelica handled in the area and the ref pointed straight to the spot. Jesic stepped up and made no mistake to make it 2-1. Croatia then threw everything forward to try to save the game, Sim headed over the bar and Vlastelica had a header saved. An argument between the benches exploded at the end just as Croatia were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Tricky Trifiro stepped up and got the ball up and down forcing a fine save from Vekic that could have gone anywhere. Unfortunately it went to safety and the game was up. It was harsh on Croatia who competed well and on another day could have well gone in at half time 2-0 up, as it was they did not and lost 2-1. Marconi just have a sign over us at present and we need to start taking our chances. This Sunday against Franchise FC is just the game to get back on track, so get down to King Tom and support the boys against all that is evil in the game. Sydney Croatia Ole Ole Ole….

Flares after the final