‘This is my payment’: The club great behind Sydney United’s championship

Sydney United have been crowned NPL NSW champions for the first time in six years after upstaging Premiers APIA Leichhardt 3-1 in the Grand Final at Jubilee Stadium.

Michael Krslovic, Leroy Jennings and Gabriel Tilo were on target as United completed a memorable Championship and Waratah Cup double under club great Miro Vlastelica, who finally added the state’s biggest prize to his long history with the club.

United made the breakthrough after 17 minutes when Carlos De Oliveira’s volley crashed against the crossbar and Krslovic reacted quickest to turn home the rebound.

Their advantage was doubled on the half-hour. Mason Wells delivered from a corner and Jennings rose to head home, giving Vlastelica’s side a commanding 2-0 lead over a team that had finished four points above them during the regular season.

APIA needed a response and found one through half-time substitute Jordan Segreto, whose superb long-range volley in the 56th minute brought the Premiers back into the contest.

They went agonisingly close to levelling soon after, with Michael Konestabo unable to convert Presley Ortiz’s dangerous ball across goal.

But Sydney United weathered the pressure before Tilo put the result beyond doubt five minutes into stoppage time, breaking clear and lifting his finish over goalkeeper Oliver Kalac to spark the celebrations.

Krslovic was named player of the match, while the victory gave United their first NPL NSW Championship since 2020 and another trophy in a season already highlighted by their Waratah Cup triumph.

For Vlastelica, it carried even greater significance.

Now in his third stint as Sydney United head coach, he previously guided the club to the 2019 NPL NSW Grand Final before returning in 2022 and masterminding their historic run to the Australia Cup Final — becoming the first NPL club to reach the national decider.

Back at the helm in 2026, the Championship that had previously eluded him finally arrived.

“It’s massive. It’s not for me, it’s all for them,” an emotional Vlastelica said afterwards, pointing towards the Sydney United supporters.

“It’s easy for me to stand here, but it’s what happens behind the scenes.

“You can’t buy this. I don’t take a red cent. I don’t get paid man but this is my payment. This is what I do it for.”

There was another special element to the triumph, with Vlastelica’s son and long-serving Sydney United captain Adrian lifting the trophy alongside him.