Summary
Sydney FC 5 (Carney 3’, Bobô 18’, 66’, Ryall 73’, Simon 84’) South Melbourne 1 (Minopoulos 46’)
Sydney FC will play in their second consecutive FFA Cup Final after they demolished South Melbourne 5-1 at Lakeside Stadium tonight.
A double for the competition’s leading scorer Bobô, who has now scored seven, added to strikes from Carney, Ryall and Simon did the damage in a comfortable win.
South Melbourne did make the game interesting early in the second half when Minopoulos pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 but the Sky Blues overpowered their opponents.
Sydney FC will meet either Adelaide United or Western Sydney Wanderers in the decider on Tuesday 21 November.
The venue is still to be confirmed.
Well done @SydneyFC ??, off to our 2nd @FFACup final, #SydneyIsSkyblue
— Aaron Smurf – ?? (@Aaron_Smurf88) October 11, 2017
What They Said
David Carney: “We started well which we needed to against a team like this.
“They are a good side but we were a lot more clinical in front of goal and I think overall that was a fair result.
“I’m happy to get on the scoresheet. It’s a positive and helps with confidence.”
Bring it on !!!! Let us lift the Cup !!?
— Jussi Karmio (@JussiKarmio) October 11, 2017
Goals
4’ CARNEY GOAL – Brosque loops a ball beyond the back for for Carney to sprint clear and drive the ball left footed beyond the keeper.
18’ BOBÔ GOAL – Buijs drives into the opposition half from centre back before sliding a ball into Bobô who slips his man, turns and drills a low left foot shot into the corner.
47’ MINOPOULOS GOAL – A cross into the box eludes everyone except Minopoulos at the back post who takes the ball down and strikes it in the far corner.
66’ BOBÔ GOAL – Ninkovic feeds Brosque who beats his man in the penalty box to cross for Bobô to neatly backheel beneath the keeper.
73’ RYALL GOAL – O’Neill hits a shot into the box which Ryall controls, turns and fires home.
84’ SIMON GOAL – Retre crosses from the left to Bobô who unselfishly heads the ball back across goal to Matt Simon to head home from close.
Key Moments
8’ CARNEY HITS POST – Ninkovic finds Zullo who whips over a left footed cross to Carney head goalwards but the keeper pushes the ball onto the post and behind.
9’ SCHROEN HEADER – South Melbourne go close as they first flash a cross over the box before Schroen heads over from close range.
34’ CARNEY CHANCE – Ninkovic and Bobô combine to find Brosque, who heads back to Carney who’s shot is part saved by the keeper and creeps just wide of the post.
35’ BROSQUE CHANCE – Fabulous build up play and the ball comes to Brosque who controls and beats his man and shoots just over.
45’+2’ NINKOVIC SHOT – Brosque bursts free and back heels to Ninkovic who hits a first time shot at goal from range but the keeper is down to save.
58’ MILLER LONG RANGE SHOT – Miller tries an effort from 45 yards with Redmayne off his line but the it goes just wide.
63’ GOOD SAVE REDMAYNE – Lujic takes on his chest and shoots left footed but Redmayne is down quick to save.
Team News
Sydney FC 5 (Carney 3’, Bobô 18’, 66’, Ryall 73’, Simon 84’) South Melbourne 1 (Minopoulos 46’)
Head Coach Graham Arnold made three changes to the side which beat Melbourne Victory 1-0 at the weekend. Michael Zullo returned from a slight hamstring injury to replace Luke Wilkshire at left back who was rested. Paulo Retre made way for Seb Ryall and sat on the bench and was joined by Adrian Mierzejewski who was replaced by David Carney on the right.
Ground: Lakeside
Attendance: 5747
Referee: Chris Beath
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO (8. Paulo RETRE 82’), 9. BOBÔ, 10. Milos NINKOVIC (16. Anthony KALIK 84’), 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (18. Matt SIMON 72’), 17. David CARNEY, 22. Seb RYALL.
Subs Not Used: 30. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 11. Adrian MIERZEKEWSKI.
Yellow Cards: O’Neill 43’, Buijs 76’.
Red Cards: None.
South Melbourne: 1.Nikola ROGANOVIC (GK), 2.Shpetim MALA, 3.Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS (12. Stefan ZINNI 85’), 4.Michael EAGAR, 5.Luke ADAMS, 7.Nicholas EPIFANO, 8. Luke PAVLOU (15. Jesse DALEY 67’), 9.Milos LUJIC, 10. Marcus SCHROEN (27. Leigh MINOPOULOS 16’), 18. Matthew MILLAR, 23. Matthew FOSCHINI.
Subs Not Used: 21. Zaim ZENELI (GK), 22.Andrija KECOJEVIC.
Yellow Cards: Mala 45’, Pavlou 52’, Epifano 75’
Red Cards: None.
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