Summary
Sydney FC 2 (Ninković 5’, Bobô 59’) def. Newcastle Jets 1 (Petratos 65’)
Champions Sydney FC are back on top of the Hyundai A-League after running out deserved 2-1 winners against Newcastle Jets at Allianz Stadium.
On a night when captain Alex Brosque became Sydney FC’s all-time leading A-League appearance maker, it was fellow forwards Milos Ninkovic and Bobô who notched the winning goals.
The Sky Blues leapfrog the Jets at the top of the ladder and look forward to Tuesday’s FFA Cup Final at Allianz Stadium against Adelaide United, when Graham Arnold’s men look to hold all three domestic trophies on offer.
What They Said
Head Coach Graham Arnold: “I thought the first 60 minutes we were excellent. It should have been four or five and game over.
“I pushed this week with the boys for a reaction and I believe I got a very good one for 45 to 60 minutes, execution is what we need to be more ruthless at. We’re creating chances tonight which was very good, but it’s about getting those goals and being more ruthless and making sure we don’t leave teams in games.
“I had to make those substitutions at 60 minutes thinking in the back of my mind that the club desperately wants the trophy on Tuesday night.”
Goals
5’ NINKOVIC GOAL: Bobô shows great strength and no small amount of skill to wriggle clear of three Newcastle defenders, and then unselfishly square the ball to Ninković who finishes with aplomb.
59’ BOBÔ GOAL: Brosque takes a sublime touch in midfield to escape the attention of his marker. He then plays Brillante through, the Australian midfielder crossing towards Bobô whose miscued attempt goes wide of the goal but Duncan inexplicably spills the ball, presenting Bobô with an open net.
65’ PETRATOS GOAL: The winger takes a pop at goal from distance and is rewarded when his dipping shot evades Redmayne in the Sydney goal.
Key Moments
8’ REDMAYNE TIPS OVER: The Jets almost profit from a goal kick downfield but Redmayne stands tall to tip the attempt of Champness over the bar.
29’ BOBÔ CHANCE: O’Neill’s pass from midfield is cleverly left by Brosque allowing the ball to run through to Bobô, whose shot is just a tad too powerful and goes over the bar.
31’ BROSQUE HEADER: The Sky Blues captain meets Buijs’ corner with a glancing header but Duncan is able to claim the ball.
33’ BROSQUE AGAIN: Bobô slides Brosque in on goal but Duncan is quickly off his line to claim the ball at the feet of the Sydney FC captain.
36’ WILKINSON CRUCIAL TACKLE: The ball breaks to Nabbout in the Sydney penalty box following a collision between Retre and Champness, but Wilkinson is on hand to produce a crucial tackle and send the ball out of play.
40’ BOBÔ DENIED: The Sky Blues break quickly on the counter. Bobô meets Brosque’s low cross at the far end of the box but Duncan saves the Brazilian strikers effort.
50’ REDMAYNE SAVE: Champness runs onto a through pass but Redmayne makes an excellent save one on one.
54’ BOBÔ SHOT: Bobô has a crack from distance. His shot takes a subtle deflection that almost deceives Duncan in the Jets goal.
60’ BOBÔ STRIKE: Brosque and Ninković unlock the Jets defence with some neat interplay, the latter laying the ball off to Bobô who is unable to keep his shot down.
75’ CHAMPNESS HEADER: Cowburn meets a cross, heading the ball back across goal where Champness and O’Neill clash heads in an attempt to win the ball. The ball subsequently spills just wide of the goal.
77’ KANTAROVSKI MISSES THE BALL: The ball breaks to Kantarovski who is unmarked in the Sydney FC penalty area but he fluffs his lines and completely misses the ball.
Where we belong @SydneyFC Top of the ladder! pic.twitter.com/K2KfsaAset
— Rob Di Cosmo (@Robydco) November 18, 2017
Team News
Sydney FC 2 (Ninković 5’, Bobô 59’) def. Newcastle Jets 1 (Petratos 65’)
Charles Lokolingoy and Adrian Mierzejewski are brought into the match day squad at the expense of Matt Simon and Luke Wilkshire. Paulo Retre starts at right back.
Ground: Allianz Stadium
Attendance: 11,519
Referee: Kurt Ams
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Andrew WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO, 8. Paulo RETRE (22. Seb RYALL, 62’), 9. BOBÔ, 10. Miloš NINKOVIĆ (11. Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI, 65’), 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE (21. Charles LOKOLINGOY, 71’), 17. David CARNEY.
Subs Not Used: 30. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 16. Anthony KALIK.
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
Newcastle Jets: 1. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 3. Jason HOFFMAN, 4. Nigel BOOGARD, 5. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 6. Steven UGARKOVIC (22. Lachlan JACKSON, 85’), 7. Dimitri PETRATOS, 13. Ivan VUJICA, 15. Andrew NABBOUT, 17. Daniel GEORGIEVSKI (16. Nick COWBURN, 45’), 24. Joe CHAMPNESS (18. Johnny KOUTROUMBIS, 79’), 44. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY
Subs Not Used: 30. Ivan NECEVSKI (GK), 23. Devante CLUT.
Yellow Card(s): N/A
Red Card(s): N/A
Sydney FC contest the 2017 Westfield FFA Cup Final at home at Allianz Stadium THIS TUESDAY NIGHT! Make sure you’re there to back your Sky Blues towards another trophy, GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
