Who Are Sydney United 58 FC?
NPL Queensland Premiers Olympic FC line-up for the most important game in their history this Saturday night when they host NSW NPL Premiers Sydney United 58 FC at Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre in an elimination semi-final.
Unlike their fellow Brisbane-based NPL Queensland rivals, Olympic have never participated in a national finals series before, meaning Olympic will be considered underdogs against one of the National Soccer Leagues most famous clubs.
But who exactly are Sydney United 58 FC? Watch the promotional video below to see both clubs in action and then scroll further down for all the facts on Olympic’s NPL Semi Final opponents.
As the name suggests, Sydney United 58 were founded in in 1958 as part of Sydney Croatia Sports Club in Sydney’s southern suburbs and boast a long history of developing some of Australia’s most outstanding football talent.
The club rose through the ranks to the heights of the National Soccer League in 1984, where they became one of the competition’s most consistent clubs, remaining in the national league until its demise in 2004.
However, despite three league premierships in the NSL, the club never prevailed in the NSL Grand Final – famously falling to Brisbane Strikers in the 1997 decider at the then-named Lang Park.
Following the formation of the A-League in 2005, United returned to the New South Wales league structure where they remained a force known for their stylish football and strong focus on youth development.
Amongst the famous players developed by the club are Tim Cahill, Mark Bosnich, Atti Abonyi, Jim Patikas, Graham Arnold, Zeljko Kalac, Jason Culina, Robbie Slater, Tony Popovic and Ante Milicic.
United took out the NPL NSW Premiership on the final day of the regular season, defeating Blacktown Spartans 3-1, with former Perth Glory and Sydney FC striker Luka Glavas scoring a brace to overtake Socceroo legend Graham Arnold as the club’s leading goal scorer.
United are coached by former A-League player and football media personality Mark Rudan.
Words: Michael Flynn (Football Queensland)
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