Sydney FC 2 (Ivanovic 9’, Le Fondre 86’) def. Melbourne City 0
A maiden Hyundai A-League goal for Luke Ivanovic, a mazy solo strike from Adam Le Fondre and some late Andrew Redmayne penalty save heroics has given Sydney FC an impressive 2-0 win over Melbourne City at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium this evening.
Moments That Mattered:
- Ivanovic Goal 9’ – A beautiful counter attack from the Sky Blues gives Ninkovic plenty of space and he threads a pinpoint ball for Ivanovic, who composes himself perfectly inside the box and finishes to give the home side an early lead.
- Chance for Alfie 33’ – Some fantastic lead-up play from Austin and Ninkovic gets Le Fondre in on goal, but a timely block from a Melbourne City defender ensures that it goes out for a corner instead of a two-goal buffer for the hosts.
- Retre Denied 44’ – O’Neill and Grant link up nicely before it was sent in to Retre who tried to flick it in from close range, only to be denied by the woodwork and an unconventional stop from the City keeper.
- Redmayne Save 59’ – Another chance of an equaliser goes begging for the away side as the Sky Blues shot-stopper produces a wonderful fingertips save to deny Griffiths just before the hour mark.
- Austin Miss 64’ – In his first game for the club, Austin finds himself with an open goal but is cruelly denied by the woodwork from close range, meaning the lead will remain just 1-0 for the Sky Blues.
- Redmayne Penalty Save 79’ – Just another day at the office for the Sydney FC keeper, as Redders saves his third penalty of the Hyundai A-League season after a controversial call on Ninkovic inside the area.
- Alfie Seals It 86’ – Some fancy footwork from Le Fondre down the left-hand side and into the area followed by a brilliant finish seals the win for the Sky Blues in the dying stages, giving the Englishman his 12th goal of the season.
Goals to Luke Ivanovic and Adam Le Fondre as well as a late penalty save from Andrew Redmayne have laid the platform for Sydney FC to defeat Melbourne City 2-0 at Kogarah tonight in front of a crowd of over 13,000.
The 18-year old scored within the opening ten minutes of play after a beautiful ball from Milos Ninkovic, but the young gun succumbed to a hamstring injury before the half ended and was replaced by new signing Mitch Austin.
There were chances for both sides in the last 15 minutes of the first stanza but neither the Sky Blues or their opponents could find the back of the net, allowing the home side to take a one-goal advantage into the break.
The second half was full of action but it was Redmayne who stood up, tipping a Rostyn Griffiths shot over the bar in the 59th minute before producing yet another miraculous penalty save with 10 minutes remaining, making him the hero again for the Sky Blues.
A clutch late goal from Adam Le Fondre sealed a hard-fought victory for the hosts in the side’s final game at Kogarah, as the Sky Blues remain in 3rd spot on the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Rhyan Grant was instrumental in his first game back from Socceroos duty, while Milos Ninkovic was at his absolute best providing both assists and threatening the Melbourne City defenders for the entire contest.
Sydney FC now look forward to next Friday night’s game against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium before returning home the following weekend for their first game at Leichhardt Oval against Central Coast Mariners.
What They Said:
Head Coach Steve Corica: “Every game is tough at the moment. Today was a real tough game, but we made it tough I think. We weren’t great with the ball today but defensively again it was a great effort keeping a clean sheet again thanks to Redders.
“I was pleased with Luke starting his first game, scoring as well which was very pleasing. We’ve got players back next week which is great for us. Luke did a great job last week and I wanted to reward him for that and he did great for 30 minutes and took his goal very well.
“I was tempted to put Reza on the bench but he’s only had one session with us so I held him off. This week is a different story, he will train three times this week with us and he’ll be ready to go for Brisbane.
“It’s pleasing to get the three points and we need to stay up the top. It’s all based around the characters we have in the team, it was disappointing last week but they responded well today in hot conditions but we probably should have punished them in the first half and made it a lot easier.
“We’re making it hard for Redders with the penalties but he came up trumps again here today. That’s three big penalty saves for him and that’s where you need your keeper to step up. It’s important for him to do that and helped us win that game.
“It’s all about improvement, every time we turn up at training and in a game we want to get better. That’s the culture of the club and it’s great to see that.”
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK) 2. Aaron CALVER 3. Ben WARLAND 4. Alex WILKINSON © 6. Josh BRILLANTE 8. Paulo RETRE (11. Daniel DE SILVA 57’) 9. Adam LE FONDRE 10. Milos NINKOVIC (24. Cameron DEVLIN 92’) 13. Brandon O’NEILL 23. Rhyan GRANT 31. Luke IVANOVIC (21. Mitch AUSTIN 32’)
SUBS NOT USED: 5. Jop VAN DER LINDEN 20. Alex CISAK (GK)
Yellow Cards: None.
Red Cards: None.
Melbourne City: 2. Ritchie DE LAET 3. Scott JAMIESON © 4. Harrison DELBRIDGE 5. Bart SCHENKEVELD 7. Rostyn GRIFFITHS 8. Riley MCGREE 15. Kearyn BACCUS 18. Eugene GALEKOVIC (GK) 19. Lachlan WALES (10. Dario Vidisic 69’) 26. Luke BRATTAN (13. Nathaniel ATKINSON 66’) 27. Florin BERENGUER-BOHRER (36. Dylan PIERIAS 73’)
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK) 25. Iacopo LA ROCCA
Yellow Cards: Delbridge 11’, Atkinson 73’, Baccus 80’.
Red Cards: None.
Ground: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Attendance: 13,029
Referee: Jared Gillett
