Sydney FC need a point from their remaining match of the season away to Melbourne City to secure a Finals Series berth after falling short in a 1-0 loss away to Western United in Tarneit.
Matthew Grimaldi’s early strike was enough to secure the points for Western United who are still chasing AFC Champion League Elite qualification.
Sydney FC 0 def. by Western United 1 (Grimaldi 4’)
Moments That Mattered:
4’ | GRIMALDI GOAL – Western United transition quickly as a foul on King, after his clearance, isn’t given. It allows Botic to release a ball to Danzaki on the wing and he crosses to Grimaldi to nestle it home.
33’ | RUHS HITS POST – Garuccio sends a lobbed pass over the Sydney FC backline, finding Ruhs. Devenish-Meares comes out to take control of the ball but is unable to plant himself, slipping and allowing Ruhs to continue his run around, hitting the goal post and out for a goal kick.
39’ | SEGECIC HITS POST – A beautifully timed pass from Costa finds Segecic, who charges towards goal with one defender for company. He leathers a left foot shot off the post from 20 yards.
65’ | DEVENISH-MEARES SAVE – A set-piece corner sends a ball of true attacking intent, straight to the head of Botic who directs it near post. Devenish-Meares’ quick reflexes tips it over the crossbar for yet another corner.
90’+1’ | SEGECIC CHANCE – With time running out Segecic is played in but chooses to cut inside into traffic rather than hit a first time shot and the opening is missed.
Match Report: Sydney FC have fallen short losing 1-0 away in Tarneit to Western United, leaving their finals hopes in the hands of an away game at Melbourne City knowing they still need a point.
Sydney FC began with good attacking intent and had a lot of territory in Western’s final third, however in the 4th minute the home side broke and wasted no time in pouncing on a defensive error.
Botic played a pass to Danzaki on the left who whipped a ball across goal for Grimaldi to fire home.
Sydney FC continued playing their way back into the contest, maintaining stronger spells of possession as they attempted to adjust to slippery surface.
Both sides hit the woodwork in the final part of the first half. First Ruhs caused havoc for the Western United beating the backline and finding the upright from a wide angle.
Then an effort from Segecic via a well-timed pass from Douglas Costa allowed the forward to rifle a shot of venom towards goal.
Sutton was at full stretch but it was the near post which had the final say, and the ball bounced back into play.
Both teams continued their attacking presence early in the second half with the Sky Blues eager to get themselves back into the match, but falling short on executing their opportunities.
Western United’s closest chance came in the 80th minute when they broke through the Sydney FC backline and Lavale teed-up for a direct shot on goal. Devenish-Meares was there to make the save.
Moments later, Costa rocketed a shot just above the 18-yard box which went wide before Segecic had a late opening but ran into the Western United defence.
The Sky Blues sit 7th on the Isuzu-UTE A-League table, and a draw at AAMI Park will put them in 6th place and clear of Adelaide United on goal difference.
Post-Match Coach’s Interview: Ufuk Talay (Sydney FC Head Coach)
What They Said: Ufuk Talay: “I think it was just one moment from our set-piece, when they counter-attacked [which cost us].
“I deemed it was a foul on Joel [King], I thought the contact was late, the referee didn’t and we conceded a goal from us taking a set piece.
“I think we created enough opportunities to capitalise and score a goal.
“We just need a point to cement our spot in the top six but now we need to look forward to the next game against City where we will look to pick up all points but we know one point will do it.”
Sydney FC (Away) | Formation: 3-5-1-1: 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES (GK), 41. Alexander POPOVIC, 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 16. Joel KING (20. Tiago QUINTAL 82’), 23. Rhyan GRANT (C), 17. Anthony CACERES, 11. Douglas COSTA, 7. Adrian SEGECIC, 24. Wataru KAMIJO, 25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI (8. Anas OUAHIM 61’), 10. Joe LOLLEY (42. Kyle Reilly SHAW 61’)
Head Coach: Ufuk TALAY
Unused Substitutions: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 37. Will KENNEDY, 29. Joseph LACEY, 36. Mathias MACALLISTER
Yellow Cards: 41. Alexander POPOVIC 77’, 24. Wataru KAMIJO 86’, Kyle SHAW 87’
Red Cards: None
Western United (Home) | Formation: 4-4-2: 33. Matthew SUTTON (GK), 4. James DONACHIE, 30. Dylan LEONARD, 17. Ben GARUCCIO (C), 6. Tomoki IMAI (29. Charbel SHAMOON 76’), 23. Rhys BOZINOVSKI (44. Jordan LAUTON 75’), 32. Angus THURGATE, 77. Riku DANZAKI (7. Ramy NAJJARINE 87’), 10. Matthew GRIMALDI (20. Abel WALATEE 75’), 24. Michael RUHS (5. Oliver LAVALE 70’), 19. Noah BOTIC
Head Coach: John ALOISI
Unused Substitutions: 70. Micheal VONJA (GK, 37. Luke VICKERY.
Yellow Cards: 17. Ben GARUCCIO 28’, 77. Riku DANZAKI 45+1’, 44. Jordan LAUTON 90+3’
Red Cards: None
Venue: Ironbank Fields, Tarneit, Victoria
Referee: Alex KING
