SOFC defeated Division 1 side, Schofield Scorpions 5-1 on Saturday at Hills Sports High School; in what was the ‘Blues’ first hit-out since winning the NSW Premier League Championship trophy.
 
The ‘Blues’ maintained their notorious, attacking minded style of play and dominated their unsuspecting opposition from the opening minutes of the game.  Despite a lack of match fitness, Sydney Olympic FC managed to impress and their ball work and positioning throughout the encounter was sharp and often magical.
 
New recruits Aman Hadid and Marco Sama made an immediate impression and formed a great and effective combination up front. In the early minutes of the game, Hadid provided Sama with an attempted assist, however Sama’s attempt at goal deflected off an opposing defender and travelled wide for a corner.
 
Minutes later Hadid was sent clear on goal but was taken down questionably by a Schofield defender, a foul was not given and play soon continued. Manny Giannaros and Will Angel dominated the right flank causing endless trouble for the Scorpions. The towering right back, caught the Schofield goalkeeper, Waz, by surprise and unleashed a thunderous effort, which struck the post.
 
 Soon after, Brett Studman was on the receiving end of a David Gullo corner kick and delivered his header into the back of the net. Celebrations were halted as the referee disallowed the goal due to a suspected push in the back.
 
 Nevertheless, Olympic continued to press their opposition and the 2011 Under 20’s Golden Boot Marco Sama almost capitalized once again for the ‘Blues’ but sent his effort inches over the cross bar. Minutes later and on the opposing end of the football pitch, the Scorpions netted a goal and despite being metres offside, the goal continued to stand, to the disappointment of the Olympic supporters who were in attendance.
 
Olympic came out firing after the disappointing call and soon equalized from the penalty spot as the pacey Will Angel was brought down in the penalty box. Sydney Olympic FC captain, Phil Makrys stepped up to the spot and delivered his strike effortlessly with ease.
 
Tensions began to rise on the pitch, as a Schofield defender was given a red card for an altercation with Studman in the opposition’s penalty box. Like a wolf that stalks its prey, Olympic capitalized on their opposition’s disadvantage and enhanced their lead, after Marco Sama slotted away an easy tap in enabling the ‘Blues’ to enter the half time break with a 2-1 lead.
 
Trialists Sam Awad, Joel Wood, Junior and Kiji replaced Hadid, Sama, Makrys and Angel at half time. Whilst Troy Danaskos was also given some game time in the second stanza, replacing David Gullo. Wood made an impact instantaneously and almost extended Olympics’ lead, on two separate occasions but Schofield goalkeeper, Waz, pulled off two extraordinary saves to thwart his efforts.
 
 Japanese trialist Kiji also made his appearance known and timed his run efficiently to slot away a third goal for the ‘Blues’. The goals did not end there and despite pulling off two extraordinary saves which denied Joel Wood, the Schofield shot-stopper, was unable to prevent Sydney Olympic FC trialist Junior from getting on the score sheet. Junior capitalized on a well-executed Manny Giannaros cross and half-volleyed the ball inside the near post, extending Olympics’ lead to 4-1.
 
 Tsekenis made a further two substitutions and provided two Reserve Grade players, Stevan Ilic and Brendan Hooper with an opportunity to impress. In a confusing sequence of events, it appeared that the referee accidentally called full time, despite having more than 5 minutes of play remaining.
 
 Both teams returned to the field and Olympic continued to dominate throughout the remaining minutes of the game, with Stevan Ilic also adding his name to the score sheet, with an unstoppable and classy finish before the full time whistle was sound.
 
 The Olympic Ultras elected defender Manny Giannaros, who dominated the right flank as ‘man of the match’ after a tireless performance.
 
 “I was happy with my performance especially with it being the first game of the pre-season”, Giannaros said.
 
 “With the majority of the players members of last years squad it felt like we were just picking up from where we left off, which in turn allowed me to play my normal attacking minded game“.
 
 "Judging by the pre-season we have had to date and what I saw in Saturday’s game, I believe that we will be fielding a very strong squad and I personally believe that anything short of a top three finish would be a disappointment”, he added.
 
 “Although it is only early days the new additions to the squad seem to be fitting in nicely and with a few more games, I believe the team will begin to gel more cohesively”, Giannaros concluded.