A Socceroo and injury hit Sydney FC have twice come from behind to earn a deserved 2-2 draw against league leaders Melbourne Victory with goals from veterans Milos Ninkovic and Bobô.
Sydney FC 2 (Ninkovic 37’, Bobô 81’) drew w. Melbourne Victory FC 2 (Folami 17’, Kruse 78’)
Moments That Mattered:
BUHAGIAR SHOT SAVED – 7’ – Caceres slips in Buhagiar and the striker’s shot is saved by Kelava.
MARGIOTTA CHANCE – 8’ – The frontman blasts a shot over from close in.
BUHAGIAR CHANCE – 14’ – A fabulous ball from Kamsoba puts Buhagiar in behind and his chip floats just wide.
FOLAMI GOAL – 17’ – Victory break and Rojas crosses the ball to Folami who takes a touch and shoots across goal left footed into the far corner.
NINKOVIC GOAL – 37’ – Buhagiar drives to the byline to cross and a ricochet falls to Ninkovic who takes his time to find the corner.
PHENOMENAL HEWARD-BELLE SAVE – 52’ – Nigro’s cross to the back post finds Folami unmarked from three yards and Heward-Belle dives full length to get his hand to it!! Incredible!
KRUSE GOAL 78’ – Folami runs at the Sydney FC defence and slides a cross to the six yard box where Kruse has an easy tap in.
BOBÔ GOAL – 81’ – Caceres’ corner is curled in and Bobô heads it into the far corner.
WOOD SHOT – 85’ – Burgess wins the ball and plays it into Amini who gives it to Wood. He runs towards goal and unleashes a shot which is punched away Kelava.
What They Said: Steve Corica: “I thought we were excellent in the first half, we created some really good chances and Buhagiar could have had a hat-trick.
“I was pleased with the character they’ve shown to come back twice, because it has been tough playing five games in 13 days, and that’s not easy in this climate and with Covid.
“I’m very proud of the performance but a little bit disappointed still because I thought we could have won it.”
Match Report:
Sydney FC have secured a crucial point away to table toppers Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park after Milos Ninkovic and Bobô twice equalized with a goal a-piece.
The Sky Blues created two good early chances with Buhagiar and Kamsoba combining well but it was Victory who took the lead when Folami got free on the left and shot into the far corner.
Ninkovic was on hand to draw the sides level with a cool head to slot the ball home after a deflection had fallen his way from a Buhagiar cross.
Heward-Belle produced a heroic save early in the second half to deny Folami a second goal but he was powerless to prevent Kruse restoring Victory’s advantage 12 minutes from time when the striker nudged home Folami’s cross from close range.
Sydney FC weren’t done yet and Bobô headed home Caceres’ corner to draw the sides level three minutes later.
In a frantic finish both sides went for the win however neither side could finish off their chances and a draw was the end result.
Sydney FC: 20. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 2. James DONACHIE, 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Connor O’TOOLE (22. Max BURGESS 80’), 8. Paulo RETRE (6. Mustafa AMINI 60’), 10. Milos NINKOVIC (9. BOBÔ 70’), 11. Trent BUHAGIAR (33. Pat WOOD 70’), 17. Anthony CACERES, 21. Harry VAN DER SAAG (25. Callum TALBOT 60’), 27. Elvis KAMSOBA, 32. Patrick YAZBEK.
Unused Subs: 30. Adam PAVLESIC, 3. Ben WARLAND.
Yellow Cards: Bobô 94’, Amini 98’.
Red Cards: None.
Melbourne Victory FC: 20. Ivan KELAVA, 2. Jason GERIA, 3. Jason DAVIDSON, 4. Raimon MARCHAN VIDAL (10. Robbie KRUSE 62’), 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 8. Josh BRILLANTE, 9. Francesco MARGIOTTA (18. Nick D’AGOSTINO 70’), 11. Gbenga FOLAMI (26. Lleyton BROOKS 87’), 14. Jay BARNETT, 22. Jake BRIMMER, 23. Marco ROJAS (7. Chris IKONOMIDIS 62’).
Subs: 1. Matt ACTON (GK), 15. Aaron ANDERSON.
Yellow Cards: Kelava 82’.
Red Cards: None
Venue: AAMI Park.
Referee: Alireza Faghani.
