Sydney FC came from behind to deservedly move an incredible 11 points clear at the top of the Hyundai A-League and stretch their unbeaten run to an immense 17 games since the start of the season.
Sydney FC 2 (Holosko 38’, Ibini 65’) def. Melbourne Victory 1 (Troisi 18’)
Filip Holosko’s first half header cancelled out James Troisi’s opener for 2nd placed Melbourne before Bernie Ibini scored a stunning second half winner.
Hosts Melbourne were reduced to ten men after James Donachie was sent off following a reckless challenge on Alex Brosque, as the striker looked to increase the Sky Blues lead.
Sydney FC head to Brisbane Roar next Friday night as they look to continue their invincible season.
What They Said
Graham Arnold: “It was a difficult pitch to play on, it’s bouncy, it’s quick and what we had to do is match the fight with Melbourne Victory. We did that and got the result but we can play better than that.
“It was a good fighting performance, it’s a fantastic result to come down here and a very difficult stadium to play at Melbourne’s home ground, so to go away with the three points is good.”
Jordy Buijs: “It’s my first game after a couple of months but we knew what to do and did very good. To be 11 points clear is excellent and I’m very proud of the boys.
“It’s going well for me to get through 90 minutes after three months without a full game. It’s been a very easy transition to playing here and they are a fantastic squad so I’m loving it very much.”
Goals
18’ TROISI GOAL – Khalfallah gets clear down the right and finds Rojas with his back to goal. The Kiwi lays it back to Troisi who finds the bottom corner of the net.
38’ HOLOSKO GOAL – Ninkovic chips a perfect cross to the head of Holosko who loops a header into the top corner to square the ledger.
65’ IBINI GOAL – Ibini latches onto a Brosque header down the middle of the pitch, out muscles two defenders to blast the ball home.
Key Moments
8′ HOLOSKO CLOSE – A long throw from Michael Zullo is flicked on to Holosko at the back post who takes it on his chest, turns & shoots but Thomas is down low to save.
23′ GREAT SAVE VUKOVIC – Rojas turns and shoots in the box but Vukovic gets a hand to it to push it wide.
36′ BOBÔ CHANCE – A right wing cross is nudged goalwards by Bobô but Thomas dives full length to make a fingertip save. Zullo then beats a defender to take a shot from close range but Thomas is up quickly to block.
57′ KHALFALLAH HITS BAR – Khalfallah chips the ball towards goal however it hits the bar and Vukovic had it covered.
59′ GREAT SAVE VUKOVIC – A scramble in the Sydney FC box and the ball falls to Broxham who strikes from close range but Vukovic is big and blocks with his shoulder.
71’ RED CARD DONACHIE – Sydney FC break through Brosque and Ibini and with Brosque looking to shoot Donachie piles in with a reckless challenge and is given a straight red.
Team News
Sydney FC 2 (Holosko 38’, Ibini 65’) def. Melbourne Victory 1 (Troisi 18’)
Head Coach Graham Arnold made one change to the starting line up from the team that defeated Adelaide United six days earlier. Suspended Rhyan Grant was replaced by Jordy Buijs who moved into the left centre half position with Aaron Calver moving to right back.
Ground: Etihad Stadium
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Attendance: 30,262
Sydney FC: 20. Danny VUKOVIC (gk), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. BOBÔ (18. Matt SIMON 79’), 10. Milos NINKOVIC, 12. Aaron CALVER (8. Milos DIMITRIJEVIC 84’), 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (c), 21. Filip HOLOSKO (11. Bernie IBINI 60’).
Subs not used: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 17. David CARNEY.
Yellow cards: Brosque 76’, Zullo 90’, O’Neill 93’.
Red cards: None.
Melbourne Victory: 20.Lawrence THOMAS (gk), 2.Jason GERIA, 6.Leigh BROXHAM, 7.Marco ROJAS, 8.Besart BERISHA, 10. James TROISI, 13.Oliver BOZANIC (5.Daniel GEORGIEVSKI 74’), 14.Fahid BEN KHALFALLAH, 15.Alan BARO, 17.James DONACHIE, 21.Carl VALERI (c).
Subs not used: 40.Matt ACTON (gk), 16.Rashid MAHAZI, 19. George HOWARD.
Yellow cards: Geria 28’, Valeri 62’, Troisi 90’ .
Red cards: Donachie 71’.
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