One-handed Sanchez delivers rare football double for Sydney Olympic

STAR Spanish striker Alejandro Sanchez scored twice and set up another as Sydney Olympic won the National Premier Leagues NSW grand final on Sunday.

Sydney Olympic celebrate their championship. Picture: FNSW

STAR Spanish striker Alejandro Sanchez scored twice and set up another as Sydney Olympic won the National Premier Leagues NSW grand final on Sunday.

Premiers Sydney Olympic outclassed APIA Liechhardt Tigers 3-1 for their first grand double in seven years after Sanchez’s pass to an unmarked Radovan Pavicevic gave Olympic the perfect start in the fourth minute.

Sanchez found space in the south western corner, after a cutting pass from Max Burgess, before delivering a pinpoint ball to Pavicevic who headed home.

Olympic players and team officials with their trophy. Picture: Brendan Esposito

Radovan Pavicevic of Olympic celebrates the opening goal. Picture: Brendan Esposito

The one-handed Sanchez showed why he is such a dangerous player in the league by scoring in the 35th and 75th minutes and was denied another goal thanks to a tremendous save by APIA’s Ivan Necevski.

Sydney Olympic are now going for an unprecedented triple crown, taking on Perth SC in the NPL Finals Series at Lambert Park on Sunday afternoon.

Paul Henderson pushes his team mates during the final. Picture: Brendan Esposito

Tom Whiteside of Olympic in action. Picture: Brendan Esposito

The series brings together the eight teams from across the country who finished top of their respective standings at the end of their regular seasons to determine Australia’s best NPL side.

“This result is like a dream,’ an emotional Olympic coach Abbas Saad said.

Former Socceroo Abbas Saad has an outstanding first year in charge of Sydney Olympic. Picture: Brendan Esposito

“When I joined this team as coach only four days out from the start of the season I could never imagine a result like this.

“This is a great moment for the players and I’m so happy for them.

Alejandro Sanchez Lopez, left, and Joshua Symons tussle for the ball. Picture: Brendan Esposito

“We executed our gameplay to perfection and once we found the early goal we were able to truly take control of the match.

Max Burgess,left, of Olympic competes for possession against Paul Galimi of the APIA. Picture: Brendan Esposito

Alejandro Sanchez celebrates after scoring.

“Everyone played out of their skin and they all deserve their success.”

Veteran custodian Paul Henderson had another outstanding game as the Olympic defence held firm until the 93rd minute when APIA scored a consolation goal through a penalty taken by Themba Muata-Marlow.

Sydney Olympic star Alejandro Sanchez Lopez in pain after being tackled by APIA. Picture: Brendan Esposito

James Demetriou of Sydney Olympic. Picture: Brendan Esposito

APIA’s Tasuku Sekiya caused problems for the Sydney Olympic defence. Picture: Brendan Esposito

This was the second successive grand final loss for APIA.

“Wining the grand final this year was everything the boys were working towards and to lose this game for the second straight year has been very difficult for them,” APIA coach Billy McColl said.

“The boys played very hard but Olympic were the better team.

“We will regroup and shift our focus to our FFA Cup clash against Adelaide United in a few weeks.

“This loss is by no means the end for this team. We can be proud of what we have achieved and come back stronger next year.”