Summary
Sydney FC 4 (Bobô 17’, 58’, 86’, Mierzejewski 25’) def. Wellington Phoenix 1 (Kaluderovic 40’)
A hat-trick from Brazilian marquee striker Bobô ensured Sydney FC made it seven wins in a row in resounding 4-1 win against Wellington Phoenix tonight.
Bobô opened the scoring and set up a second for Adrian Mierzejewski to give the Sky Blues a 2-1 half time lead.
Sydney FC created the clearest chances in the second half and the clinical Brazilian struck twice more to complete a ‘perfect hat-trick’ to send Graham Arnold’s side five points clear at the top of the ladder.
Bobô moves into second on the Sky Blues all-time goalscoring list ahead of Alessandro Del Piero and behind Alex Brosque. He is also only the 4th player to score a hat-trick for Sydney FC.
Sydney FC will now look to finish off an amazing 2017 at ‘Fortress Allianz’, hosting Perth on Saturday 30th of December.
What They Said – Graham Arnold
“We started the game very well, getting two goals early can sometimes give you a false sense of security and you get a little bit sloppy. I thought we were a little sloppy at times giving away the goal we did just before half time. But to come here and win 4-1 away from home, with the travel, I have to go home happy.
“Everything we do is preparing to win, every day we go to training and the aim is to win. We train the boys hard and make sure they are ready to win the game. Sometimes this year we haven’t played that great but have still found a way to win and that’s important.
“Ninko is still my favourite player in the A-League, he’s been out for three or four weeks with a calf injury and came on last week and had 25 minutes and today had 65 minutes so he’s getting back.
“I can’t wait for those two (Ninkovic & Adrian) to spend some more time on the pitch together because they’ve only played in spasms together.”
Goals
17’ GOAL BOBÔ – Adrian plays a delicate ball in behind for an overlapping Zullo on the left hand side. An outstretched Bobo gave the keeper no chance, meeting Zullo’s pinpoint cross for the opener.
25’ FIRST TIME VOLLEY MIERZEJEWSKI – Zullo plays Bobo in behind to create a three v two scenario. Another great cross sees the Brazilian turn provider for Adrian who makes no mistake with a first-time volley at the back post.
40’ GOAL KALUDEROVIC – Galloway’s cross finds the Phoenix striker at the back post who’s looping header goes over Redmayne.
58’ TIDY FINISH BOBÔ – Mierzejewski gets in behind the Phoenix defence again to cut the ball back perfectly for the Sydney FC forward. Outstretched and off-balance, the Brazilian still finds the bottom right of the net.
86’ PERFECT HAT-TRICK BOBO – The Brazilian caps off the game in style with a back post header following a perfect cross from Carney. One with his left, his right and his head tonight; world class finishing.
Key Moments
4’ VAR SHOUT BRILLANTE – The Sky Blues’ centre midfielder looks to cross the ball in the box and appears to strike the hand of the Phoenix defender. VAR not used this time.
50’ HEADER DOYLE – Corner comes in from Phoenix and is met by Doyle who puts his effort wide.
54’ STRONGLY OUT REDMAYNE – Phoenix fire a set piece from an acute angle but Redmayne punches out strong to thwart any danger.
57’ SO CLOSE BUIJS – Italiano doesn’t deal well with a Mierzejewski whipped free-kick, spilling it out to the Sky Blues’ centre back who see’s his thumping shot deflected for a corner.
63’ OUTSTANDING STOP REDMAYNE – Parkhouse is squared the ball at the back post for certain goal if not for the Sky Blues keeper who pulls off an amazing save with his knee.
73’ POST AND OUT SINGH – Substitute Singh sees his long-range effort hit the left-hand post and out.
90+1’ LIKE GLUE BUIJS – McGlinchey attempts to shimmy his way multiple times in the box to get a shot away but the Dutchman sticks to his man to block the Phoenix winger’s effort.
90+4 FINGERTIP SAVE REDMAYNE – McGlinchey tries to salvage some pride with a whipping freekick but Redmayne is up to the task, tipping the effort over to end the match.
.@OFICIALBob13 scores his 25th goal for @SydneyFC
He is now outright 2nd on the all-time goal scorers list for Sydney.1. Alex Brosque – 57 goals
2. @OFICIALBob13 – 25 goals
3. @delpieroale – 24 goalsHe is just the 4th Sydney FC player to score a Hat-trick#WELvSYD
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) December 23, 2017
Team News
Sydney FC 4 (Bobô 17’, 58’, 86’, Mierzejewski 25’) def. Wellington Phoenix 1 (Kaluderovic 40’)
Ground: Westpac Stadium
Referee: Chris Beath
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. BOBÔ (21. Charles LOKOLINGOY 88’), 10. Milos NINKOVIC (17. David CARNEY 65’), 11. Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI, 13. Brandon O’NEIL, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 26. Luke WILKSHIRE.
Subs Not Used: 30. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (gk), Paulo RETRE, 22. Seb RYALL.
Yellow Cards: 5. Jordy BUIJS 47’, 17. David CARNEY 88’
Red Cards: None.
Wellington Phoenix: 1. Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 2. Daniel MULLEN, 3. Scott GALLOWAY, 4. Goran PARACKI, 9. Andrija KALUDEROVIC, 10. Michael MCGLINCHEY, 12. Adam PARKHOUSE (24. ROGERSON 87’), 13. ROSSI 14. Alex RUFER (18. Sarpreet SINGH 69’), 19. Thomas DOYLE, 23. Matthew RIDENTON.
Subs Not Used: 30. Keegan SMITH (gk), 11. Hamish WATSON, 22. Andrew DURANTE.
Yellow Cards: 13. ROSSI 7’, 12. Adam PARKHOUSE 56’
Red Cards: None.
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