Hall of Fame
Arncliffe Aurora Football Club (AAFC), in its relatively short history have produced a number of memorable moments we are all extremely proud to share.
Below is a selection of AAFC finest moments, including stories of our Champion of Champion winners and unique moments that reflect Aurora’s will and drive to dream and achieve big.
Arncliffe Aurora Score Four to Upset Greystanes FC
Arncliffe Aurora were a shining light in the 15 Boys Final, defeating Greystanes FC 4-0. A first half own goal sent Aurora on their way, with Hadi Sleiman, Mohammed Chahine and Ahmed Fadel rounding off the scoring after the break.
Aurora didn’t waste any time, nearly scoring in the opening minute when Ali Mhanna got on the end of Hassan Kassira’s free kick, Alec Jorquera parrying the header to safety. Greystanes also had an early chance, and Abdullah Salim had to be at full stretch to tip an Eden Hawkes free kick onto the crossbar.
Arncliffe were soon back on the front foot, Chahine unlucky on this occasion after pouncing on a loose ball and hitting the post. Then on 19 minutes, they were initially awarded a penalty following a collision between Sleiman and Jorquera, however the decision was reversed after consultation between the referee and his assistant.
It wasn’t long before the Aurora pressure paid off, and a couple of minutes later they were up 1-0. Sleiman’s in swinging corner kick from the right side proved too difficult for the defence to handle, resulting in an own goal.
In the 24th minute, Greystanes attempted to hit back. Jake Tester played a fantastic diagonal ball to release Ethan Alimboyao, but his shot flew over the bar.
As in the first half, Arncliffe had an opportunity right at the start of the second half, but this time they made it count. Sleiman doubled their lead with some individual brilliance, spinning away from a defender and slamming the ball in off the post from outside the area.
Jorquera made a couple of great saves from Mhanna and Kassem Kassem, however the Greystanes goalkeeper would be powerless on 42 minutes, Chahine heading in from point blank range to make it 3-0 after another quality in swinging corner from Sleiman.
Aurora kept pushing, and Sleiman almost doubled his tally in the 51st minute, Jorquera denying him with another sharp save. It was only a matter of time though, and the fourth goal came three minutes later when Chahine’s long shot was parried, Fadel tapping in from the rebound.
Greystanes threatened in brief spells using Alimboyao’s pace, but Arncliffe remained the better side until the end, and could even have extended their lead late on. Jorquera saved well from Salah Farhat, and Andres Felipe Nino Betancur hit the side netting with the last kick of the game.
Match Stats
Arncliffe Aurora 4 (own goal 21’, Hadi Sleiman 36’, Mohammed Chahine 42’, Ahmed Fadel 54’) vs Greystanes FC 0
Arncliffe Aurora: 1. Abdullah SALIM, 6. Andres FELIPE NINO BETANCUR, 11. Ali BAKIR B MOURTADA, 12. Ali RACHID, 14. Ibrahim ELREDA, 15. Ali HAMMOUD, 16. Youssef NASSER, 18. Ali MOURTADA, 20. Ali SAAB, 22. Hadi SLEIMAN, 24. Ahmed FADEL, 30. Hadi SOUMMAKA, 32. Hassan KASSIRA, 37. Ali MHANNA, 41. Mohammed CHAHINE, 48. Kassem KASSEM, 49. Ali CHREIF, 55. Salah FARHAT
Coach: Mohammed KASSIRA Assistant Coach: Talal ARBID
Lake Heights Thwarted By Roaring Aurora
A pair of strikes in the second half has helped Arncliffe Aurora secure the 13 Boys Champions of Champions title as they overcame Lake Heights JFC 2-0 at Valentine Sports Park.
The first chance fell to Jaoudat Fraja for Arncliffe Aurora, from the corner that angled across the area, Fraja connected well with his shot but jammed it wide.
From there, Lake Heights JFC had a pair of chances to open the scoring.
First Koray Gokturk slashed wide in the 10th minute then Tayne Ward forced the Aurora keeper into a fine stop to keep the contest at nil-all headed into half-time.
After the break, Arncliffe were the first to test the keeper. Mahmoud Jomaa hit a fierce effort that needed to be saved by Lake Heights keeper, Elijah Byron.
The opener would come for Aurora, 60 seconds later. Awada made up for his earlier miss, he found enough pace close to the box, fired a low shot that trickled into the net, for 1-0.
Arncliffe Aurora doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when they continued to press, from a scramble in the box. Ali Mourtada was first to react to the loose ball, poked the ball into the net, for a 2-0 lead.
Lake Heights had their fair share of chances to even the contest. Both Gokturk and Bond Stergess scooped efforts wide after Aurora’s opener then Stergess shot safely in the 47th as time became the enemy.
Mitchell Despotovski went the closest for Lake Heights.
He opened up the space well for a shot, arrowed an effort into the bottom corner but for last-ditch defense from Aurora to deny him.
Arncliffe saw out the remaining minutes without incident to be crowned Champions.
Match Stats
Arncliffe Aurora 2 (M Awada ‘33, A Mourtada ‘38) vs Lake Heights JFC 0
Arncliffe Aurora: 1 ARBID Adam 2 MOURTADA Ali 3 SAAD Rabie 4 FARHAT Salah 5 SOUMMAKA Mohamed 6 HIJAZI Rayan 7 SAAB Mohammed 8 AWADA Mohamed 9 JOMAA Mahmoud 10 FARHAT Mohamed 11 REDA Abbas 12 TANANA Haydar 13 KDOUH Hussein 16 SALIM Abdullah 18 FARAJ Jaoudat 19 ALAWIE Ali
Coach: Ali SAAB Assistant Coach: Hassan REDA
http://footballstgeorge.com.au/blog/2018/10/22/champion-of-champions-finals-sgfa-match-reports/2
Aurora Roar to Victory
Arncliffe Aurora FC dug deep in the second half to record a 3 -1 comeback victory and become U15s Boys Puma Champions of Champions
The Aurora side started brighter with the first chance in the sixth minute as Hady Hussein wove his way through the defence but couldn’t find the target with his shot.
AC United responded two minutes with a diagonal ball to Fadil Easa Hasnawi after he found space but slid his effort wide of the frame.
The Southern Districts side worked themselves into the game with Ashour Chiba’s bended shot almost rippling the net. Next it was the desperation of Hadi Hijazi to sweep away Angelo Garreffa’s shot at the goal-line.
AC finally broke the Arncliffe Aurora resistance as Michael Napoli turned well and shot past Mohammed Rizk for 1-0.
Arncliffe had been used to playing from behind this season and they ramped up the pressure headed into halftime without the profit of a goal. Mohammed Zahr’s 34th minute
free-kick went the closest.
After the break Arncliffe were full of energy and pressing and it brought the reward. Ali Farhat slotted home to level the score at one.
They would take the lead five minutes later when Hady Hussein latched onto a lofted ball to prod it home and make it 2-1 Aurora.
Hasnawi for AC United created a prime opportunity to draw again with his pass to Garreffa which was smothered.
Rizk wasn’t called upon much between the Arncliffe Aurora sticks but in the 57th minute he had a highlight reel save to preserve the lead.
It was celebration time in the 63rd minute for Arncliffe Aurora with Ali Sleiman put a third past Nicholas Mateos to rapturous celebrations in the dugout.
Afterwards Jay Ellis was ecstatic about the result.
“We worked hard all year not thinking about it but to comeback in the second half was something special,” said the Arncliffe Aurora coach.
Match Stats
Arncliffe Aurora 3 (Farhat ’42, H. Hussein ’47 and Sleiman ’63) vs AC United 1 (Napoli ’21)
Arncliffe Aurora: I. SALEH, A. SALEH, Hussein MOURTADA, R. SURJAN, H. HIJAZI, Mohammed ZAHR, H. JOMAA, B. THEPMANY, Ali SLEIMAN, M. ALJAYZANIU, M. RIDA, Hadi HIJAZI, Ali FARHAT, Hady HUSSEIN, A. SENOL and Mohammed RIZK
Coach: Eddie Briscoe
https://footballnsw.com.au/2015/10/18/2015-puma-champion-of-champions-reports/
The St George Football Association team took on PS4 NPL NSW Men’s 1 powerhouse side Rockdale City Suns in a local derby in the 5th round of the Preliminary rounds of the Westfield FFA Cup.
Making the short trip down West Botany Road to a packed house at the Illinden Sports Centre, it was a night the Aurora players would never forget.
Aurora’s coach Mahmoud Farhat said it was a fairytale Cup run that started with an incredible victory over Men’s State League 1 high flyers Gladesville Ryde Magic in Round 3 before a commanding 5-0 win over fellow Association team Hurstville Glory, setting up their dream clash with the Rockdale City Suns.
“We were very excited to get through the first two games and then knowing we were going to play Rockdale City Suns, a big and great club. it was arguably the biggest game in Arncliffe Aurora history.”
Readying yourself for a match like this isn’t easy but Farhat worked hard with his team.
“The boys were pretty excited and ready for a big game, not knowing what was in store for them.”
Cheered on by a boisterous travelling crowd, Aurora fought with all they had against their more fancied opponents.Captain Mahmoud Chahine thought back on that special feeling that he and his players felt.
“It’s a feeling that me and my fellow team mates will never forget, knowing your friends and family are watching spurs you on that bit more. I’ve got to admit our crowd made it a special night for all.”
Coach Farhat believed his team could cause an upset and send shockwaves through the country with a victory.
“It was about performance and us turning up. Knowing Rockdale wasn’t in the best of form, we believed we had a sniff if we were able to get an early goal.
“It’s a cup tie and anything was possible, so we found out.”
Marcelo Abal in the Aurora goal put up a transcending performance, making save after save and keeping the Suns at bay.
In the final minute of extra time it seemed it was all over for the team in yellow and blue and that Aurora’s superman would be beaten with an open goal beckoning for Nikola Taneski.
The heroics of Abal continued as he pulled off an astonishing save from point blank to send the match into penalties.
Farhat was more than impressed with his man between the sticks, commending the performance of the shot stopper.
“He was on fire; nothing was going to get passed him on that night. It was the best performance from a keeper that I’ve ever seen.”
Penalties didn’t go the way of Aurora as their large base of fans watched Suns keeper Tomsilav Arcaba save two spot-kicks that were enough for Rockdale to sneak past.
“Mixed emotions from the boys; being so close to a win against a great side but still a great effort in getting to the penalty shoot-out,” a proud Farhat said.
The Aurora mentor was delighted with what the Westfield FFA Cup offered grassroots clubs like his, giving them an opportunity to show what they can do as well as bringing all competitions together.
“It’s a great competition, it gives lower league teams the opportunity to play and showcase their skills against bigger clubs and for us this has to be one of our greatest achievements that may never be repeated.”
Below is a season of highlights showcasing the heroics of Marcelo Abal on that famous night.
http://footballnsw.com.au/2015/04/24/a-night-arncliffe-aurora-will-always-remember