The 1997–98 season marked Sydney United's fifteenth campaign in the NSL. Following the departure of head coach Branko Culina to Canberra Cosmos, the club appointed former Socceroo Dave Mitchell as player-coach.
Despite a significant turnover in personnel—losing key players such as Zeljko Kalac (who returned mid-season after a failed move to Portsmouth), David Zdrilic, Ante Milicic, Ante Moric, Mark Babic, Robert Enes, and Krešimir Marušić—United responded by recruiting a number of seasoned professionals, including Robbie Hooker, David Barrett, Abbas Saad, Peter Bennett, and Stuart Munro.
Sydney United began the season strongly, losing just once in their opening sixteen matches. However, a late-season slump—triggered by a spate of injuries and suspensions—saw the team manage only a single win from their final eight games. Despite the downturn, United held on to finish fourth on the league table.
In the finals series, Sydney United faced local rivals Marconi Stallions, but were eliminated after consecutive 1–0 defeats.
Abbas Saad finished as the club's leading goalscorer, netting nine goals across the campaign.
The 1997–98 season was the only NSL campaign in which Sydney United did not host home matches at the Sydney United Sports Centre. Instead, the club played its entire home schedule at Parramatta Stadium, before returning to its traditional home base the following season, and has remained there ever since.
Players
Transfers in
Transfers out
Mid-Season Gains
Competitions
Overview
National Soccer League
League table
Results summary
Matches
Waratah Cup Matches
Statistics
Appearances and goals Players with no appearances not included in the list.
No.Pos.Nat.NameNational Soccer LeagueFinal SeriesWaratah CupTotal1 GK 00004040 2 DF 2312000251 3 DF 2212010251 5 DF 1810000181 6 DF 2511000261 7 DF 2112000231 8 MF 1621000172 9 DF 20000020 10 FW 24920222811 11 FW 1052011136 12 DF 70000070 13 DF 1902000210 14 FW 30000030 15 MF 1812011212 16 MF 00001010 17 MF 2262011257 18 MF 2322031283 19 FW 10002333 20 GK 1100000110 21 DF 70100080 22 FW 922000112 24FW 1110000111 25MF 10001020 26MF 40000040 27FW 1820021203 28MF 2202000240 30GK 1502000170 – MF 00001111
References