Summary
Sydney FC 2 (Ninkovic 19’, Bobô 111’) def. (aet) Adelaide United 1 (Miluesnic 68’)
Sydney FC have secured a historic treble of silverware in a single calendar year, triumphing in a tense Westfield FFA Cup Final against Adelaide United at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues got into the groove early in the first half as Milos Ninkovic bagged Sydney FC’s first goal after brilliant build up play.
The Sky Blues continued to press and created a number of opportunities, the majority of which falling to striker Bobô who was extremely unlucky not to notch a goal in regular time.
Despite their dominance, Sydney FC conceded midway through the second half to force extra time as Mileusnic curled an effort into the top corner.
Chances were few and far between in the first half of extra time, but that changed shortly after play resumed with Adrian Mierzejewski providing a perfect ball for Bobô to head home for the winner, sending the home supporters into raptures.
Adrian Mierzejewski was immense throughout and was rightfully named the recipient of the Mark Viduka medal for Man of the Match.
This, our first FFA Cup ensures Head Coach Graham Arnold’s men hold all three major domestic honours simultaneously.
What They Said
Graham Arnold: “I’m so proud of the boys in such a short turn around, to put in a shift of 120 minutes and to find a way to win. Their will to win is second to none.”
On what was said in the huddle before second half of extra time:
“We’ve been here before, we’re running towards The Cove where we will score and we will win. We talked before the game about the pride in the shirt and playing for the club.
“It’s a joy to coach this team not just because of the quality of players but that they are great people.”
Adrian Mierzejewski: “It was not an easy game for us with two days less rest but I’m very happy for my first title with Sydney FC and definitely not my last.”
On winning the Mark Viduka Medal:
“In this type of game, there is no man of the match. We played well as a team and anyone could have been man of the match.”
Goals
19’ MASTERFUL NINKOVIC – Great tight interplay from a throw-in near half way leads to Brosque switching the point of attack to an on-rushing Ninkovic. The 2016/17 Johnny Warren medallist keeps his cool to dummy a defender and slots the ball away neatly.
68’ GOAL MILEUSNIC – A lofted ball comes over from the left to the United winger who finds the top left of the net with a curling effort.
111’ ALLIANZ ERUPTS BOBÔ – Mierzejewski whips in an excellent ball which is met by Bobô, heading home the winner in front of The Cove. Cue scenes at ‘Fortress Allianz’.
Key Moments
11’ GREAT SAVE REDMAYNE – Ball is driven low and hard across the Sydney FC box finding Matmour at the back post for a snap shot but Redmayne is more than up to the task in turning the ball away.
16’ ALMOST BOBÔ – Adrian slips a delightful ball through to Bobô splitting multiple Adelaide defenders but Izzo reads the danger just in time.
33’ VOLLEY MIERZEJEWSKI – Wilkinson spots the run of Wilkshire to find him with a cross field ball. Bobô’s initial shot from Wilkshire’s cross is blocked before the rebound falls to Adrian on the bounce who fires a volley towards goal but Izzo deals with the shot.
38’ GETTING CLOSER BOBÔ – Zullo goes on a run to fire a direct ball across the face of goal, being only half cleared to the Brazilian no.9 who steers the ball towards goal only to be denied again by Izzo.
48’ OFF THE BAR GARRUCIO – Adelaide’s Garrucio steps up to curl a free kick from just outside the Sky Blues’ area into the bar.
52’ EXPERT DEFENDING WILKINSON – Dangerous ball is driven low across the face of the Sydney FC goal but the Sky Blues’ centre-half reads it well to slide and stop the ball reaching its target.
59’ SO CLOSE BROSQUE – Ninkovic pinches the ball to set O’Neill on his way down the left. The ball is cut back inside to Ninkovic at the 25 yard mark who chips the ball in behind for Brosque. Izzo only just gets there before Brosque.
75’ JUST WIDE BOBÔ – Bobô finds himself on the edge of the box and decides to try his luck but his effort is just wide of the right hand post.
81’ SO CLOSE SIMON – The substitute comes close as he brings the ball down beautifully to unleash a powerful half volley towards goal only to be stopped by Izzo.
84’ EVEN CLOSER BOBÔ – Wilkshire sends a direct ball across to Carney who in turn lobs it to the back post, finding Bobô only for the Sydney FC no.9 to be denied again by a last ditch save.
87’ AGAIN FOR BOBÔ – Adrian with great work again to find Bobô in the box with a pinpoint ball but the Brazilian’s header can only be direct into Izzo’s hands.
Team News
Sydney FC 2 (Ninkovic 19’, Bobô 111’) def. (aet) Adelaide United FC 1 (Miluesnic 68’)
Ground: Allianz Stadium
Attendance: 13,452
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. BOBÔ, 10. Milos NINKOVIC (17. David CARNEY 62’), 11. Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (18. Matt SIMON 71’), 26. Luke WILKSHIRE (22. Seb Ryall 105’).
Subs Not Used: 30. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (gk), 16. Anthony KALIK, 22. Seb Ryall
Yellow Cards: 14. Alex BROSQUE 23’, 26. Luke WILKSHIRE 43’,
Red Cards: None.
Newcastle Jets: 20. Paul IZZO (gk), 2. Michael MARRONE, 7. Ryan KITTO (12. Mark Ochieng 88’), 8. ISAIAS, 9. Papa DIAWARA (14. George BLACKWOOD 73’), 10. Karim MATMOUR, 17. Nikola MILEUSNIC, 19. Ben GARUCCIO, 22. Ersan GULUM (4. Ben WARLAND 77’), 23. Jordan ELSEY, 37. Daniel ADLUNG.
Subs Not Used: 1. Daniel MARGUSH (gk), 16. Nathan KONSTANDOPOULOS.
Yellow Cards: 37. Daniel ADLUNG 83’, 12. Mark Ochieng 104’, 22. Ersan GULUM 108’, 23. Jordan ELSEY 118’
Red Cards: 2. Michael MARRONE 115’
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