Saturday’s display by Paulo Retre was very pleasing, as the Sky Blues defender starred against the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium in the squad’s thrilling late 2-1 win.
Saturday’s display by Paulo Retre was very pleasing, as the Sky Blues defender starred against the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium in the squad’s thrilling late 2-1 win.
Retre made 92 pass attempts on the night, more than any other player on the park and his equal most ever in a single A-League game as Sydney FC pulled off a 2-1 win in Gosford with a late goal to former Mariner Matt Simon.
SEE THE GOALS AND RELIVE THE GAME HERE
Retre was the most influential player on the park along with teammate Milos Ninkovic.
Crucially, though, the 25-year-old signed from Melbourne City provided the assist for both goals.
The first was class; a curling cross that found Ninkovic’s head to give the Sky Blues a barely deserved lead in the first half.
The second in stoppage time was somewhat different as his cross deflected and spiralled wide for Matt Simon to head home a winner, much to the delight of the travelling Cove.
Retre was signed by Graham Arnold in June last year; his versatility, technique and fitness key factors.
At this vital stage of the season with so many games coming thick and fast with ACL and Finals Series, Retre’s form and fitness will delight Arnold.
CHECK OUT RETRE’S SEASON STATS HERE
OTHER MATCH FACTS
- Sydney FC have now won four of their last six games against the Mariners at Central Coast Stadium, outscoring Central Coast 15-9 in that span.
- In games where they’ve led at half-time, Sydney FC extended their winning streak to 24 games; the last time they lost such a fixture was in March 2016 against the Mariners.
- Sydney FC conceded a goal after the 80th minute for the first time in 2018, and the first time since Jack Hingert scored in the 90th minute against them in November last year.
Sydney FC travel to face Perth Glory away on Thursday 29 March (kick off 9:30pm AEDT). Tune in on Fox Sports 501 or join like-minded Sky Blues’ fans, back the squad, and watch us make history from our Official Home Away from Home at The Star, Sydney.
