Summary
Sydney FC 3 (Bobô 60’, 78’, Carney 84’) def Melbourne Victory 1 (Berisha (pen.) 58’)
Sydney FC have gone nine points clear at the top of the Hyundai A-League table following a 3-1 win in the Big Blue against Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
It was the home side that took the lead from the penalty spot with Berisha finding the net after Brillante’s foul on Ingham.
The celebrations were short lived as the Sky Blues found an equaliser immediately following the opener as Bobô finished off a swift attack with a well-placed header.
Adding a second after being brought down in the box, the Brazilian has now broken the record for most goals by a Sydney FC player in a season. Carney rounded out the victory after calmly slotting home his one on one chance.
Graham Arnold’s men will return to the ‘Fortress’ to take on Wellington Phoenix next Friday night.
What They Sai
Graham Arnold:
“The boys are in fantastic shape and I believe we are the fittest team in the country and that we run over teams in the second half. With a couple of additions coming this week to the team, we’ll only be stronger.”
About Adrian
“He’s a fantastic human being and he’s all about the team. Tonight he was excellent and he’s in great form this season. With himself, Ninkovic, Bobô and Brosque, we have the best attacking quartet the A-League has seen.”
Brandon O’Neil:
“We’re still getting over that bug but to put on a performance like that away from home against Victory, it’s a credit to the lads.
“Melbourne will always press us high and we had to weather the storm. It’s a great three goals and three points.”
Goals
58‘ PENALTY BERISHA – Brillante brings Ingham down in the box and the referee points to the spot. Berisha sends Redmayne the wrong way to give the lead to the home side.
60’ BOBÔ WITH THE QUICK REPLY – Mierzejewski plays a reverse ball to Wilkshire down the right. His pinpoint cross finds the Sky Blues forward to head home in front of the away support.
78’ BOBÔ MAKES IT TWO – The Sky Blues number nine is through on goal and is brought down by Geira. The official awards a penalty and sends off the Victory defender for his second yellow. The Golden Boot leader makes no mistake and sends the travelling support into raptures.
84’ CARNEY ALL BUT SEALS IT – Mierzejewski picks up a loose ball to just get a touch for Carney. One on one, he waits for the keeper to commit and calmly slots home.
Key Moments
5‘ CHANCE BERISHA – Miligan dinks the ball over for Troisi who squares it to Berisha but the Victory striker sends it wide from close range.
7’ ANOTHER CHANCE BERISHA – Berisha is teed up by Barbourses but gets his shot horribly wrong and scuffs it well wide of the goal.
15’ OVER THE BAR NINKOVIC – Great pressure on the Victory defence leads to Mierzejewski going on a mazy run ending in an edge of the box shot from Ninkovic who can’t keep the effort down.
22’ TEASING BALL FROM ZULLO – A swift counter attack by The Sky Blues ends with Zullo whipping the ball across the face of goal but it’s just out of the reach of Bobô.
38’ THUNDEROUS EFFORT MIERZEJEWSKI – Ball from Zullo is cleared but only as far as Adrian who hits a stinging volley towards goal. Thomas pulls off an equally world class save to deny a certain goal.
47’ SNAP SHOT BOBÔ – The Brazilian finds himself in space outside the box to try his luck but his firm effort is straight into the arms of Thomas.
Team News
Sydney FC 3 (Bobô 60’, 78’, Carney 84’) def Melbourne Victory 1 (Berisha (pen.) 58’)
Ground: AAMI Park
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. BOBÔ, 10. Milos NINKOVIC, 11. Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (17. David CARNEY 74’), 26. Luke WILKSHIRE.
Subs Not Used: 30. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 2. Aaron CALVER, 8. Paulo RETRE, 21. Charles LOKOLINGOY
Yellow Cards: 11. Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI 33’, 26. Luke WILKSHIRE 49’, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE 57’, 10. Milos NINKOVIC 67’, 13. Brandon O’NEILL 71’
Red Cards: None.
Melbourne Victory: 20. Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 2. Jason GERIA, 4. Rhys WILLIAMS, 5. Mark MILLIGAN, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 8. Besart BERISHA, 9. Kosta BARBOURSES, 10. James TROISI, 14. Thomas DENG (17. James DONACHIE 68’), 21. Carl VALERI (24. Terry ANTONIS 82’), 23. Jai INGHAM (31. Christian THEOHAROUS 73’).
Subs Not Used: 1. Matthew ACTION (gk), 18. Matias SANCHEZ.
Yellow Cards: 4. Rhys WILLIAMS 28’, 2. Jason GERIA 40’, 77’
Red Cards: 2. Jason GERIA 77’
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