A solid performance has seen treble winners Sydney FC climb five points clear at the summit of the Hyundai A-League after a 1-0 victory away to Adelaide.
Sydney FC (Bobô 45’) 1 def. Adelaide United 0
Bobô’s strike on the stroke of half time was the difference after great work from man of the match Josh Brillante and full back Luke Wilkshire.
The Sky Blues were clinical in limiting the opposition’s chances with an exceptional defensive performance.
The win ensures the Sky Blues head into next week’s Sydney Derby on top of the table.
What They Said
Graham Arnold: “We’ve more work to do but in the second half we were excellent.
“Defence wins championships. We kept the ball well at times but lost the ball a bit too; we needed to react and we did. We defended very well tonight”
“People think defence starts at the back but it starts from the front. Brosque and Bobô do a fantastic job”
Luke Wilkshere: “It’s tough to come back here but we showed our desire to win tonight.
“You always give yourself a chance to win a game if you keep the team scoreless and we’ve got the quality up front to win matches.”
Alex Brosque: “A confident and structured performance showing we’re hard to break down.
“Our best form of attack is to press high and they started turning the ball over more which lead to us getting that goal.
“That goal at half time made us grow and gave us believe to go on, get more chances and get the win.”
Goals
45’ JUST IN TIME BOBÔ – Brillante spots a lung busting deep run from Wilkshire who stretches out to cut the ball back into the box, finding the Brazilian centre-forward for a tap in.
Key Moments
25’ CHANCE BOBÔ – Great high pressing from Brosque and O’Neill leads to Adelaide coughing up the ball around their 18 yard box. Bobô is played in behind and one on one with Izzo who just closes the Sky Blues striker down.
27’ CHEEKY BRILLANTE – The Sky Blues midfielder takes a look up to see Izzo slightly off his line and lets fly from just inside the Adelaide half. The back peddling keeper makes it back in time to save his effort.
48’ GREAT DEFENDING BUIJS – Ball is swung into the box from Adelaide in search of Mileusnic only for Buijs to outmuscle his opponent to win the aerial duel
53’ SO CLOSE CARNEY – Brosque controls a lofty ball well in the box, holds off an Adelaide defender and lays the ball on for Carney who see’s his goal bound effort take a deflection at the vital moment.
90+4’ CHANCE LOKOLINGOY – The young Sky Blues striker is played in behind to be one on one with Izzo who just sticks a leg out to prevent a late goal.
Team News
Sydney FC (Bobô 45’) 1 def. Adelaide United 0
Ground: Coopers Stadium
Referee: Peter Green
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. BOBÔ, 11. Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI, 13. Brandon O’NEIL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (21. Charles LOKOLINGOY 88’), 17. David CARNEY, 26. Luke WILKSHIRE.
Subs Not Used: 30. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (gk), Paulo RETRE, 16. Anthony KALIK, 22. Seb Ryall.
Yellow Cards: 13. Brandon O’NEIL 27’,
Red Cards: None.
Adelaide United: 20. Paul IZZO (gk), 7. Ryan KITTO, 8. ISAIAS, 9. Papa DIAWARA, 10. Karim MATMOUR (14. George BLACKWOOD 63’), 12. Mark OCHEING (24. Jordan O’DOHETRY 77’), 17. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 17. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 22. Ersan GULUM, 23. Jordan ELSEY, 29. Ryan STRAIN, 37. Daniel ADLUNG (16. Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS 64’).
Subs Not Used: 1. Daniel MARGUSH (gk), 6. Vince LIA.
Yellow Cards: 12. Mark OCHEING 19’, 14. George BLACKWOOD 65’
Red Cards: None.
