Sydney FC 0 def. Perth Glory 0 / 4-2 on penalties
Sydney FC has clinched a record equalling fourth Hyundai A-League Championship in a dramatic encounter in Perth.
Moments That Mattered:
- Redmayne Save – 17’ – A fingertip save to prevent a certain goal from Redders.
- Le Fondre Disallowed Goal 27’ – Zullo is questionably adjudged offside after squaring it to Le Fondre for the opener.
- Redmayne Save – 52’ – Another brilliant last ditch save from the Sky Blues custodian to deny Castro and Perth the lead.
- Redmayne Save – Shootout – Redders dives to his left to deny Keogh.
- Redmayne Save – Shootout – Redders again with a huge save as he stays tall to defy Santalab a paneka penalty.
- Ghoochannejhad – Shootout – Reza steps up and slots the winning penalty to crown Sydney FC Champions
Perth tested the early as Redders produced a brilliant fingertip save to deny the home side the lead.
The game came to life as Zullo squared the ball for Le Fondre to finish and send the travelling Sky Blues into raptures.
However, celebrations were short lived as the officials adjudged Zullo offside with VAR upholding the questionable decision.
Castro looked certain to have put Perth ahead shortly after the restart only to be denied by a clutch save from Redmayne, thrusting a strong right hand to send the ball away.
Other chances were few and far between as the sides went to extra time after a gruelling and intense 90 minutes of play.
The first stanza of extra time saw Brosque leaving the pitch for the last time in a Sky Blue shirt, leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from the travelling supporters.
With the scarcity of chances continuing, both sides could not find a way through with penalties.
With one of the best shot stoppers in the league, Bimbi’ men went into the shootout full of confidence and with just cause.
Redmayne came up with two monumental saves with Le Fondre, O’Neill and Grant scoring to set up Reza for what would be the winner.
He made no mistake, slotting past Reddy’s left, wheeling away in celebration to a record equalling fourth Hyundai A-League Championship
A truly fitting way to send off retiring club legend and captain Alex Brosque in his last domestic game for the Sky Blues.
What they said:
Sydney FC: 1.Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2.Aaron CALVER, 4.Alex WILKINSON, 6.Josh BRILLANTE, 7.Michael ZULLO, 9.Adam LE FONDRE, 10.Milos NINKOVIC, 13.Brandon O’NEILL, 14.Alex BROSQUE (16. Reza GHOOCHANNEJHAD 94’), 22.Siem DE JONG (17. Anthony CACERES 78’), 23.Rhyan GRANT.
Subs Not Used: 20.Alex CISAK (GK), 8. Paulo RETRE, 11. Daniel De SILVA.
Yellow Cards: Steve CORICA (Manager) 29’, 22.Siem DE JONG 56’, 23.Rhyan GRANT 88’
Red Cards: None.
Perth Glory: 33.Liam REDDY (GK), 3.Jason DAVIDSON, 4.Shane LOWRY, 5.Ivan FRANJIC (23. Scott NEVILLE 91’), 6.Dino DJULBIC, 7. Joel CHIANESE (9. Andrew KEOGH 73’), 13. Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 17. Diego CASTRO, 19. Christopher IKONOMIDIS (11. Brendon SANTALAB 115’), 27. JUANDE, 88. Neil KILKENNY (20. Jake BRIMMER 106’)
Subs not used: 1.Tando VELAPHI (GK).
Yellow Cards: 4.Shane LOWRY 23’, 88. Neil KILKENNY 69’, 27. JUANDE 90’, 6.Dino DJULBIC 116’
Red Cards: None.
Ground: Optus Stadium
Crowd: 56,731
Referee: Shaun Evans
