Summary
Sydney FC 1 (Bobô 8’) def. Melbourne Victory 0
Sydney FC has lifted the Premiers Plate in style after beating arch rival Melbourne Victory 1-0 at ‘The Fortress’.
The Sky Blues scored the lone goal of the game early in proceedings courtesy of Bobô. The Golden Boot leader’s 27th goal of the season was also the Sydney FC ‘s 64th, setting a new Hyundai A-League record for most goals by a club in a regular season.
The best chance of the second half fell to the opposition with Wilkinson providing goal line clearance from George to ensure Big Blue bragging rights.
Arnie’s men will now focus on the crucial last AFC Champions League group game at home to Shanghai on Tuesday night with a place in the last 16 on the line.
What They Said
Graham Arnold:
“When a team plays well and can’t beat us, it’s a great sign.
“If you look at the stats, everyone said we couldn’t do what we did last year. Last year we got 66 points, this year it’s 64 but we’ve also scored more goals. No ones gone back to back in 24 years. We’ve done a great job.
“It’s one game at a time. We can enjoy tonight a little bit but we’ll refocus and get back to training tomorrow to prepare for Tuesday and round 28 after that.
“Last year was more relief after seven years without a trophy. Now we’ve won four out of five trophies and we’ll look to the next one.
“The boys just know how to win. Even if we’re not having great moments, defending is the key and controlling the ball and we do both very well.
“I tell the boys these opportunities don’t come along every day so take these opportunities to create history and write your name in the history books forever.”
Goals
8’ THE SLIGHTEST OF TOUCHES BY BOBÔ – Fantastic interplay from the Sky Blues leads to Zullo driving the ball towards goal with the Golden Boot boy Bobô nicking the ball with his studs to ensure it hit the back of the net.
VIDEO GOAL | How @SydneyFC took the lead in the #BigBlue, @OFICIALBob13 with the deftest of touches to turn in @MichaelZullo5’s cross. Tune into @FOXSportsAUS to see the rest of tonights action! #SydneyIsSkyBlue #NotDoneYet #SYDvADL pic.twitter.com/kijy6a9qvA
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) April 13, 2018
Key Moments
5’ WILKINSON COPS ONE FOR THE TEAM – Berisha rounds Redmayne after being played in by Leroy George but Wilkinson makes a brilliant goal saving block in a most unconventional and uncomfortable way.
17’ JUST NOT ENOUGH CONTACT BROSQUE – Mierzejewski receives the ball on the left to whip in a cross for Brosque but the Sky Blue captain can’t generate enough power from his header to seriously trouble Thomas.
31’ SO CLOSE FOR NINKOVIC – Bobô plays Brosque in behind brilliantly who in turn squares it for Ninkovic but the midfield maestro is denied by a last ditch save from Thomas
36’ WILD SWING FROM GEORGE – The ball is deflected the way of the Melbourne winger just inside the box but he launches it into row Z as the away sides best chance goes begging.
62’ POINT BLANK HEADER BROSQUE – Wilkshire whips in a perfect ball for Brosque who directs a strong header on target but is denied by Thomas.
66’ FINGERTIP SAVE FROM REDMAYNE – Barbarouses is played in behind and shoots from just outside of the box with an advancing Redmayne just doing enough to tip it wide.
69’ UNBELIEVABLE GOAL-LINE CLEARANCE WILKINSON – Ball is played over from the right to find Leroy George who rounds and looks to slot home. Out of nowhere, Wilkinson clears the ball off the line.
Back 2 Back Premiers @SydneyFC #NotDoneYet pic.twitter.com/Dgfu1MD9Wa
— Enrique (@enriqueaplus9) April 13, 2018
Team News
Sydney FC 1 (Bobô 8’) def. Melbourne Victory 0
Ground: Allianz Stadium
Attendance: 15,567
Referee: Chris Beath
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alexander WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS (3. Benjamin WARLAND 79’), 6. Joshua BRILLANTE 7. Michael ZULLO (8. Paulo RETRE 72’), 9. BOBÔ, 10. Miloš NINKOVIĆ, 11. Adrian Mierzejewski, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (18. Matthew SIMON 63’), 26. Luke WILKSHIRE.
Subs Not Used: 20. Aleksander CISAK (GK), 17. David CARNEY.
Yellow Cards: 9. BOBÔ 84’
Red Cards: None.
Melbourne Victory: 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 4. Rhys WILLIAMS, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 8. Besart BERISHA (7. Kenjok ATHIU 77’), 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. James TROISI, 14. Thomas DENG, 17. James DONACHIE, 21. Carl VALERI, 24. Terry ANTONIS, 41. Leroy GEORGE.
Subs Not Used: 1. Matthew ACTON (GK), 18. Matias SANCHEZ, 22. Stefan NIGRO, 23. Jai INGHAM.
Yellow Cards: 24. Terry ANTONIS 55’, 14. Thomas DENG 69’
Red Cards: None.
There’s more to come on Tuesday night as the Sky Blues go after a place in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 at Allianz Stadium!! Be there to back your history making Sky Blues!
