Sydney FC have moved top of the Isuzu-Ute A-League after a dominant 2-1 away win at Adelaide United thanks to goals from Elvis Kamsoba and Bobô in each half and a fantastic penalty save from Thomas Heward-Belle.
The win puts the Sky Blues top of both the A-League Men & Women for now at least.
Sydney FC 2 (Kamsoba 8’, Bobô 74’) def. Adelaide United 1 (Mauk 35’)
Moments That Mattered:
KAMSOBA GOAL – 8’ – Kamsoba gets the ball with plenty of work to do but does brilliantly to control the ball, beat a couple of players and drill it inside the near post.
MAUK GOAL – 32’ – Goodwin’s cross is met by the head of Ibusuki which Heward-Belle saves but the rebound is put home by Mauk.
HEWARD-BELLE SAVE – 35’ – Brook curls one to the far post with his left foot but Heward-Belle makes a fabulous full length save.
HEWARD-BELLE SAVE – 41’ – Goodwin controls a cross from the right and smashes it left-footed towards goal but Heward-Belle goes down to his left and produces a great save.
AMINI SHOT SAVED – 46’ – Amini strikes one from range which Gauci dives full length to save.
LE FONDRE GOAL DISALLOWED – 73’ – A cross from Burgess finds it’s way to the back post to Le Fondre but it’s ruled offside from an earlier ball through.
BOBÔ GOAL – 74’ – Burgess gets clear on goal and tries to lob the keeper but is denied, then receives the ball back and slots a perfect pass into Bobô to slot home.
BOBÔ CHANCE – 87’ – Bobô goes clear and tries to go around the goalkeeper but it’s saved and his attempt to chip him afterwards goes over.
HEWARD BELLE SAVES PENALTY – 88’ – Heward-Belle makes a fantastic diving save from Ibusuki’s penalty to secure the three points for the Sky Blues.
HEWARD-BELLE SAVES AGAIN – 90’ + 2’ – Isaias shoots from close range and Heward-Belle saves again with his body.
What They Said: Tom Heward-Belle: “The goalkeeper coach has helped me out immensely because he does his research.
“I was just stoked to make the save and it was a big win for the boys.
“It’s been tough in my career, I haven’t played a lot so you have to take the opportunity when it comes and it’s an amazing feeling.“
Match Report
Sydney FC have moved to the top of the Isuzu Ute A-League after a confident 2-1 win away to Adelaide United.
The Sky Blues opened the scoring through a wonderful solo effort from Kamsoba, who took on a number of defenders before hitting a shot inside the near post.
Mauk equalized just after the half hour when he finished off a rebound from Ibusuki’s header.
The Sky Blues were dominant for most of the second half and may have scored earlier before Bobô finished off a Burgess cross.
The Brazilian then had a fantastic chance to put the result beyond doubt but he was denied by Gauci.
A minute later the Sky Blues conceded a penalty after a foul in the box but Heward-Belle was the saviour diving full length to keep out Ibusuki.
A final few minutes scramble ensued, including another late penalty shout, but Sydney FC held on for the three points which took them top of the Isuzu A-League ladder.
The result means the Sky Blues are now top of both the Isuzu Ute A-League and the Liberty A-League.
Sydney FC: 20. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 2. James DONACHIE, 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Connor O’TOOLE (23. Rhyan GRANT 59’), 6. Mustafa AMINI (22. Max BURGESS 53’), 8. Paulo RETRE, 10. Milos NINKOVIC (14. Adam LE FONDRE 59’), 12. Trent BUHAGIAR (9. BOBÔ 59’), 17. Anthony CACERES, 25. Callum TALBOT (, 21. Harry VAN DER SAAG 71’), 27. Elvis KAMSOBA.
Unused Subs: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE, 3. Ben WARLAND.
Yellow Cards: Donachie 65’, Redmayne 90’.
Red Cards: None.
Adelaide United: 46. Joe GAUCI, 7. Ryan KITTO, 8. Stefan MAUK (27. Joshua CAVALLO 70’), 10. ISAIS, 11. Craig GOODWIN (31. Bernado OLIVEIRA 45’), 15. Hiroshi IBUSUKI, 21. Javier LOPEZ, 22. Michael JAKOBSEN, 25. Lachlan BARR, 28. Juan LOPEZ, 77. Lachlan BROOK (17. Mohamed TOURE 80’).
Subs: 50. Steven HALL, 6. Louis D’ARRIGO, 14. George BLACKWOOD, 41. Alexandar POPOVIC.
Yellow Cards: None.
Red Cards: None.
Venue: Coopers Stadium.
Referee: Adam Kersey.
