The Blues prevailed after going into the halftime break down 2-0 down thanks to a brace from Wolves ace Takumi Ofuka.
The second half was the type of half that Sydney Olympic will want to make a blueprint of for the season because of the quality of their play and the superb 4-2 outcome.
Wollongong Wolves had managed to crawl ahead 3-2 thanks to an Andre Takumi strike before Teng Kuol and Roy O’Donovan scored beyond the 90th minute to send the home side into raptures.
When the Wolves sought an on-target shooting, Chris McStay’s corner produced chaos in the goal area. The ball eventually found its way out to Banri Kanaizumi, who shot high and wide.
In the seventh minute, Wollongong regained possession when Noah James expertly deflected an Ofuka shot over the crossbar.
When a corner found Michael Vakis just outside the box, Sydney Olympic responded, but his shot went just over the bar and did not trouble Vedran Janjetovic.
In the 21st minute, Wollongong Wolves took the lead when Sydney Olympic lost the ball in midfield. Ofuka displayed incredible pace on the left flank, outpacing everyone and striking the back of the net with.
In the 29th minute, Olympic attempted to equalise the score as Peter Politis received the ball just outside the area, but his shot on goal lacked true force, forcing Janjetovic to dive low to make the save.
But in the 39th minute, Ofuka on the left gave Wollongong another goal, and he made it look way too simple. He just gracefully manoeuvred around some shoddy defence before hitting the far corner of the net beyond ‘keeper James’ reach with a stunning shot from once again an acute angle.
Coach Labinot Haliti was the first player off the bench and into the dugout as the home team eagerly awaited the halftime break.
And Olympic’s start was far better.
Finally, in the 56th minute, Dylan Ryan’s header off a McStay cross went just wide and into the side netting, giving Wollongong Wolves some confidence.
In the 60th minute, Sydney Olympic levelled the score when a shot by George Antonis was deflected by Janjetovic, who was unlucky to block it. Darcy Burgess then headed in from close range, much to the satisfaction of the home team’s bench.
When Dylan Ryan’s cross was not cleared effectively in the 78th minute, Andre Takami took advantage of the opportunity to give Wollongong the lead once more and make the score 3-2 in favour of the visitors. ‘Keeper James was unable to stop Takumi’s volley.
Captain O’Donovan headed a Parkhouse cross in the 94th minute, and the ball flew directly into the net, leaving the home team’s bench in a state of sheer ecstasy.
Sydney Olympic coach Labinot Haliti expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance after the game.
He remarked, “I believe in everyone on my team, and sometimes, like today, things take a little longer.”
“We proved that we must play the way we do and have confidence in ourselves against a strong, well-coached squad like Wollongong.
“Credit to all the boys today, but we are all ready to fight here at this club. We think it’s football, and we’ll be there on Monday.
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