Sydney FC 3 (Ninkovic 8’, Tilio 89’, Van der Saag 90’+1’) def. Central Coast 0
Sydney FC’s young guns Marco Tilio and Harry Van der Saag came off the bench to secure the three points against Central Coast Mariners and send the Sky Blues 13 points clear at the top of the Hyundai A-League.
Moments That Mattered:
- McGowan Chance – 4’ – Brattan’s free-kick to the far post finds the head of Grant to nod back across and McGowan fires over with his left foot.
- Ninkovic Goal – 8’ – Grant crosses to the far post where Miller fails to clear and Ninkovic is on hand to nudge the ball past Birighitti.
- Caceres Chance – 18’ – Caceres is allowed to charge forward and strikes powerfully from range which the keeper fumbles but gathers at the second attempt.
- Stensness Goal Disallowed – 45’ – A Mariners free kick on the left, won controversially, is headed home by Stensness but is ruled out for offside by the linesman; upheld by VAR.
- Debut Tilio Goal – 89’ – Van der Saag breaks clear on the right and cuts the ball back to Tilio who takes a touch before slotting in low on his Hyundai A-League debut.
- Van der Saag – 90’ + 1’ – A reversal of fortunes as Tilio feeds Van der Saag, who drives into a gap in the Mariners defence and smashes the ball into the top corner beyond Birighitti.
Sydney FC youngsters Marco Tilio and Harry Van der Saag were the heroes as the Sky Blues marched 13 points clear at the Hyundai A-League summit defeating the Central Coast Mariners 3-0.
Milos Ninkovic opened the scoring in the 8th minute latching onto a mistake by Miller in the Mariners back line to flick the ball past Birighitti.
Having played in Japan midweek the Sky Blues dug deep and defended well against a Mariners side who pressed forward in the second half.
With time running out Head Coach Steve Corica introduced the fresh legs of the young stars and they delivered setting up one another with a goal to help the Sky Blues ease through the final stages of the game.
All eyes now turn to Friday night’s big Sydney Derby against the Western Sydney Wanderers at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
What they said:
Steve Corica: “I’m very pleased with the result, it’s been a tough week. I think the boys showed great character today. We defended well and kept another clean sheet.
“We wanted to make sure we came back and won this game. To get the three points is vital for us and we move forward again.
“You’ve got to dig deep in games like these. It just didn’t work out for us in Japan. To come back and get the win showed good character, and I’m very pleased for the young boys who scored too.
“Marco has been waiting a long time, he’s been looking really good in training. He’s got ability to run with the ball and has been banging them in in the Y-League. I’m very pleased for him and Harry.”
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 6. Ryan McGOWAN, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Adam Le FONDRE, 10. Milos NINKOVIC, 11. Kosta BARBAROUSES (12. Trent BUHAGIAR 58’), 16. Joel KING, 17. Anthony CACERES (21. Harry Van Der SAAG 71’), 23. Rhyan GRANT, 26. Luke BRATTAN.
Subs Not Used: 20. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE, 2. Patrick FLOTTMANN, 3. Ben WARLAND, 24. Marco TILIO, 27. Jordan SWIBEL.
Yellow Cards: Retre 20’, Brattan 65’,
Red Cards: None.
Central Coast Mariners: 1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (GK), 2. Ziggy GORDON, 3. Jack CLISBY, 4. Eun-Seon KIM ©, 8. Michael MCGLINCHEY (17. Samuel SILVERA 58’), 11. Daniel De SILVA, 18. Gianni STENSNESS, 21. Ruon TONGYIK, 24. Chris HAROLD (19. Matt SIMON, 77’), 26. Josh NISBET, 27. Lewis MILLER (10. Tommy OAR 58’).
Subs Not Used: 12. Adam PEARSE (GK), 7. Milan DURIC, 9. Jordan MURRAY, 29. JAIR.
Yellow Cards: Miller 19’, De Silva 78’, Kim 93’.
Red Cards: None.
Ground: Central Coast Stadium
Referee: Chris Beath
