It was a breakout season for Rockdale Ilinden coach Steven Zoric and his troops as 2020 proved fruitful for the proud club where they clinched a Premiership and finished finalists in the shortened National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competition.
It will be a case of more of the same from as Zoric and co hope to build more momentum with Rockdale unearthing five new faces that will call the Ilinden Sports Centre home in 2021.
Quality former Blacktown City FC midfielder Daniel Araujo will bolster the club’s midfield stocks as will Bai Antoniou who returns to the club following his time with Sydney Olympic in 2020.
Rising sharpshooter James Temelkovski makes the short move from the Sutherland Sharks while Zoric has also welcomed former Northbridge defender Zac Sfiligoi and well-travelled goalkeeper Enol Ordonez Suarez to the club.
Boosting some quality names from its 2020 season, NSW Blues representatives David Bradasevic, Banri Kanaizumi, Tomoki Wada and the ‘Baker’ himself Alec Urosevski have all resigned with Rockdale.
Inspirational club skipper Daniel Petkovski along with familiar faces Micky Neill, Mitchell Stamatellis, Nicola Taneski, Amaury Gauthier, Brayden Sorge, Mo Ahmed, Sam Gulisano, Patrick Savor and Kyle Cimenti have also penned deals with the club.
It’s been an emotional few weeks for Rockdale who tragically lost one of its most loved and adored footballers in Idriss El Hafiane with the club officially stating that the number 12 he so proudly wore will be left vacant in memory and respect for the quality midfielder.
One thing you can be sure of is that the Rockdale boys will be playing with Idriss at every NPL NSW Men’s match in their hearts and thoughts.
Rockdale Illinden kicks off its 2021 NPL NSW Men’s campaign hosting the Wollongong Wolves at the Illinden Sports Centre on Sunday 28th of February at 3pm.
Feature image courtesy of Football NSW
