MELBOURNE, October 2026 — South Melbourne won the bonus point in a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw with Sydney United 58 at Lakeside Stadium on Friday night, the clubs’ first meeting in 22 years.
Mason Wells scored from the penalty spot for Sydney United 58 in the first half. Jordan Swibel then equalised from the spot in the 48th minute, the Australian Championship said.
The Round 2 result, and the South Melbourne bonus point that came with it, keeps the reigning champions unbeaten in Group A. South Melbourne also won their opening match against Sutherland Sharks 1–0.
Penalties decide the bonus point
The breakthrough came in the 37th minute, when the referee penalised South Melbourne defender Jacob Eliopoulos for handball. Wells converted the spot kick to put the visitors ahead, according to the competition’s match report.
Early in the second half, Sydney substitute Tomislav Ozanic brought down South Melbourne’s Yuki Uchida inside the penalty area. Swibel stepped up and levelled the scores at 1–1.
Sydney United 58 then had a second goal ruled out for offside in the 75th minute. In the closing stages, South Melbourne substitute Bul Juach fired wide in the 90th minute, so the match went to penalties.
South Melbourne goalkeeper Javier Lopez saved Sydney’s opening penalty. After a missed Sydney attempt later in the shootout, the hosts converted the decisive kick to secure the South Melbourne bonus point, the Australian Championship said.
An old NSL rivalry returns
The two clubs last met 22 years ago, in a rivalry that dates back to the National Soccer League. Greek City Times previewed the old NSL rivalries in this year’s competition in September.
South Melbourne arrived as reigning Australian Championship and Australia Cup winners. Earlier this month, Hellas beat Melbourne Victory 4–3 on penalties in the Australia Cup final.
Sydney United 58, the reigning NPL New South Wales champions and Waratah Cup winners, had also won a shootout against Canberra Croatia in Round 1. In Group A, Canberra Croatia host Sutherland Sharks at Deakin Stadium on Saturday 24 October.
Photo gallery of the event
All photos are copyrighted by Kostas Deves
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