Summary
Sydney FC 3 (Buhagiar 49’, De Jong 64’, Le Fondre 76’(pen.)) Western Sydney Wanderers FC 0
Sydney FC has booked its place in their third consecutive FFA Cup final after easily seeing off crosstown rivals Western Sydney 3-0.
With the tension of the occasion in the first half, chances were few and far between as the sides headed in all square at the break.
This changed shortly after as Buhagiar broke the deadlock following an assist from new marquee De Jong before the latter banged home a freekick to send the travelling Sky Blues faithful into a frenzy.
Fellow new Sky Blue Le Fondre sealed another dominant derby display after he smacked home his penalty after being brought down late in the second half.
Corica’s men will travel to Coopers Stadium to take on Adelaide for their chance of winning back-to-back FFA Cups for the first time in the competition’s history.
What They Said
Siem De Jong
“Really nice, nice game, atmosphere and always great to play the cup finals.
“I’m settling in really well. For me it’s all about playing games and these types of games are why you play football.
(on his freekick) “I’ve been practicing a lot at training, it was a good distance and I told the guys “I’m taking it” “
Goals
49’ BUHAGIAR SLOTS HOME – De Jong pounces on some looseness at the back from Western Sydney and slips through the young striker who deftly finishes with the outside of his foot around the onrushing keeper.
64’ TOP NOTCH FREEKICK DE JONG – The Dutchman adds a goal to his earlier assist as he drills home a freekick from 20 yards out. The ball sails past a helpless keeper into the side netting.
76’ UNSTOPABLE PEN LE FONDRE – Sydney FC’s number nine puts the nail in the coffin as he smacks his penalty off the underside of the bar and in.
Key Moments
7’ LAST DITCH CLEARANCE BY GRANT – Riera is through on goal and squares the ball for a would be tap-in if not for Grant who slides in the nick of time to clear the danger.
21’ SHARP STOP FROM REDMAYNE – The Sky Blues shot stopper pulls off a fantastic save to his bottom right as Western Sydney let of a shot from close distance from a corner.
29’ GREAT SAVE REDMAYNE – A freekick is whipped into the far left hand post and latched onto by Western Sydney before ‘Redders’ pulls off another save from close distance.
61’ REDMAYNE MAKES HIMSELF BIG – The Sydney FC custodian pulls off another one on one save as he stands tall against Western Sydney’s Risdon and quells the danger.
Team News
Sydney FC 3 (Buhagiar 49’, De Jong 64’, Le Fondre 76’) Western Sydney Wanderers FC 0
Ground: Panthers Stadium
Referee: Daniel Elder
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jop Van Der LINDEN, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE (24. Cameron DEVLIN 88’), 7. Michael ZULLO, 9. Adam Le FONDRE, 10. Milos NINKOVIC, 12. Trent BUHAGIAR (14. Alex BROSQUE 68’), 13. Brandon O’NEIL, 22. Siem De JONG (8. Paulo RETRE 83’), 23. Rhyan GRANT.
Subs Not Used: 20. Aleksander CISAK (GK), 2. Aaron CALVER,
Yellow Cards: 6. Joshua BRILLANTE 38’, 23. Rhyan GRANT 51’, 12. Trent BUHAGIAR 55’, 14. Alex BROSQUE 73’
Red Cards: None.
Western Sydney Wanderers FC: 1. Danijel NIZIC (GK), 4. Joshua RISDON, 5. Brendan HAMIL, 6. Kostandinos GROZOS, 9. Oriol RIERA, 10. Alexander BAUMJOHAN, 16. Joshua SOTIRIO (49. Manyiel MAJOK 63’), 17. Keanu BACCUS, 21. Tarek ELRICH, 24. Raul LLORENTE (66. Mathieu CORDIER 86’), 26. Rolieny BONEVACIA.
Subs Not Used: 20. Vedran JANJETOVIC (GK), 7. Nick FITZGERALD, 8. Jordan O’DOHERTY.
Yellow Cards: 49. Manyiel MAJOK 72’
Red Cards: None.
