Sydney FC 2 (Ninkovic 24’, Le Fondre 28’) def. Perth Glory 0
Sydney FC are on the brink of becoming Australia’s most successful football club of all-time having clinched another Grand Final berth after a first half blitz against Perth Glory in a 2-0 win at Bankwest Stadium.
Moments That Mattered:
- BARBAROUSES CHANCE – 3’ – Brattan is slipped in behind the City defence and cuts it back to Barbarouses whose close range effort is just tipped away at the last by Reddy.
- CACERES CHANCE – 19’ – Great lead up play by the Sky Blues appears to have been curtailed before a deflection has Caceres in front of goal. His snapshot effort is cleared off the line by a last ditch interception.
- NINKOVIC GOAL – 26’ – Another great Sky Blues move leads to reward with Ninkovic finding the ball via a deflection before calmly slotting past Reddy.
- LE FONDRE GOAL – 28’ – Great persistent pressing from the talisman Adam Le Fondre who slides in to catch Reddy unaware and sneak the ball over the line with the keeper looking on in despair.
- FORNAROLI HITS BOTH POSTS – 75’ – Perth’s target man comes close from an acute angle, hitting both posts before being cleared away, after Redmayne’s initial save.
The Sky Blues showed their intent right from the off, coming within inches in the early stages and dictating the pace from the outset.
The offensive onslaught soon told as the Premiers hit Perth with both barrels when Ninkovic and Le Fondre found the net in quick succession.
Ninkovic gave Corica’s side the lead, slotting the ball home to Reddy’s left before the Perth keeper committed an absolute howler which Le Fondre clinically punished moments later.
Sydney FC continued to dictate play in the second stanza, controlling large bouts of possession, seemingly in cruise control towards back to back grand finals
Perth came close through Fornaroli hitting the post twice in the same effort with what was the solitary scare for the Sky Blues.
Sydney FC saw out the game, clinching a record equalling sixth Grand Final berth and a chance to retain the title as champions as well as completing the double.
The side will prepare for a blockbuster Grand Final clash this Sunday against Melbourne City.
What they said: Steve Corica: “I’m very pleased to be in another Grand Final and very happy for the boys.
“The first half performance was very good. It was probably the best we’ve played all season and maybe we could have been a little further ahead by half time.
“Full credit to Perth who fought back well in the second half and put us under a bit of pressure but it was very important to get a clean sheet.
“I’m very proud of the boys and the staff to get to another Grand Final for all their hard work.”
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 6. Ryan McGowan, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Adam Le FONDRE (18. Luke IVANOVIC 77’), 10. Milos NINKOVIC (5. Alexander BAUMJOHANN 77’), 11. Kosta BARBAROUSES (12. Trent BUHAGIAR 89’), 16. Joel KING, 17. Anthony CACERES, 23. Rhyan Grant, 26. Luke BRATTAN.
Subs: 20. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 3. Ben WARLAND, 21. Harry Van Der SAAG, 28. Calem NIEUWENHOF.
Yellow Cards: 8. Paulo RETRE 31’, 4. Alex WILKINSON 86′
Red Cards: None.
Perth Glory: 33. Liam REDDY (GK), 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 7. Joel CHIANESE, 8. James MEREDITH (23. Dane INGHAM 62’), 9. Bruno FORNAROLI, 13. Osama MALIK (3. Jacob TRATT 46’), 16. Tomislav MRCELA, 20. Jake BRIMMER (28. Gabriel POPOVIC 88’), 21, Tarek ELRICH, 27. JUANDE, 88. Neil KILKENNY.
Subs: 50. Daniel MARGUSH (GK), 22. Vince LIA, 25. Carlo ARMIENTO, 61. Yianni PERKATIS.
Yellow Cards: 27. JUANDE 43’, 3. Jacob TRATT 53’, 88. Neil KILKENNY 80’,
Red Cards: None.
Ground: Bankwest Stadium
Referee: Alex King
