Sydney FC have handed Perth Glory their first loss of the season, winning 2-1 away at nib Stadium in sweltering conditions.
Sydney FC 2 (Le Fondre 19’, De Silva 87’) def. Perth Glory 1 (Ikonomidis 90’)
Sydney FC have made it nine wins in a row against Perth Glory handing the early season pace setters their first loss of the season.
The 2-1 win away at nib Stadium in sweltering conditions secured the Sky Blues 30th goal in those nine games against Glory.
Moments That Mattered:
- Le Fondre Goal – 19’ – Sky Blues’ talisman bangs home from a scramble in the box off a corner.
- Redmayne Save – 31’ – ‘Redders’ holds his ground to make a huge stop inside the six yard box.
- Brosque Chance – 45+3’ – De Jong’s cross is palmed into the path of the captain’s head but Reddy’s reflex save denies.
- De Silva Goal – 87’ – With almost his first touch, De Sliva rounds a defender and thumps past Reddy.
- Ikonomidis Goal – 90’ – Perth answer quickly as Ikonomidis finishes at the back post.
The Sky Blues took the lead following a scramble in the box that fell to and was buried by Le Fondre finding the roof of the net.
Brosque came closest to doubling the lead with a strong header on the stroke of half time but Reddy’s quick hands ensured a solitary goal difference at the break.
Corica’s men remained comfortable throughout the second half and all but sealed the three points as De Silva came off the bench to bag his first of the season.
Perth got a late consolation through Ikonomidis but the Sky Blues held out to gain all three points and close the gap on the league leaders.
The Boys in Blue will now focus on their home clash against Brisbane Roar at home next Saturday.
What they said:
Milos Ninkovic
“Soon as I came, I never lost or drew against them it’s unbelievable.
“I think everybody would have picked Perth before the games tonight but we make a big statement tonight.
“Second half was very good and we created great chances.”
Rhyan Grant
“It only feels like 10 years ago that I made my debut with a similar haircut.
“We have a good record over Perth and that gave us a lot of confidence going into tonight.
“We know it was going to be hard but we worked hard and got the result.
“We’re building and we know there’s a lot to come and we’ll get better and better.”
Steve Corica
“It’s the most important win at the moment with Perth being unbeaten until tonight.
“I’m pleased that the boys played really well and stuck to the game plan. We got the three points so we’ll have a great Christmas now.
[On nine straight wins v Perth] “It’s not an easy place to come either but we obviously like playing here.”
Sydney FC: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2.Aaron CALVER, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO (18.Jacob TRATT 90+4’), 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (11.Daniel DE SILVA 83’), 22.Siem DE JONG (8.Paulo RETRE 60’), 23.Rhyan GRANT.
Subs Not Used: 20.Alex CISAK (GK), 31.Luke IVANOVIC.
Yellow Cards: 14.Alex BROSQUE 10’, 8.Paulo RETRE 76’
Red Cards: None.
Perth Glory: 33.Liam REDDY (GK), 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC (7.Joel CHIANESE 60’), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 9.Andy KEOGH (11.Brendon SANTALAB 67’), 16.Tomislav MRCELA, 19.Chris IKONOMIDIS, 20.Jake BRIMMER, 27.JUANDE (23.Scott NEVILLE 80’), 88.Neil KILKENNY
Subs not used: 1.Tando VELAPHI (GK), 15.Brandon WILSON.
Yellow Cards: 5.Ivan FRANJIC 45+3’, 27.JUANDE 77’, 4.Shane LOWRY 78’
Red Cards: None.
Ground: nib Stadium
