Sydney FC have secured a 1-all draw in the Big Blue despite a highly controversial first half sending off.
The Sky Blues took the lead through Jordan Courtney-Perkins before Victory equalised during an intense first 35 minutes.
The send off forced Sydney FC to valiantly defend the remainder of the game which they did successfully.
Sydney FC 1 (Courtney-Perkins 8’) draw with Melbourne Victory 1 (Machach 17’)
Moments that Mattered:
8’ – COURTNEY-PERKINS GOAL – Caceres corner to Brattan who hits a first time volley at goal, it’s defelected into the path of Courtney-Perkins who sticks it home from close range.
17’ – COURTNEY-PERKINS CHANCE – the full back does well inside the Melbourne box and sticks a left foot towards goal but Izzo pushes away unawares.
17’ – MACHACH GOAL – A left wing cross isn’t cleared and Machach finishes neatly.
29’ – LOLLEY SHOT SAVED – Hollman makes a great tackle to push the ball to Lolley who shoots early but Izzo gets a hand to it.
35’ – WOOD SENT OFF – Pat Wood and Traore challenge for a long ball with both foots raised however Wood is considered to taking part in serious foul play and is off which ends the game as a contest.
What They Said: Ufuk Talay: “I’m very proud, I think in my opinion for 35 minutes both teams played a great spectacle and that’s something the fans want but I think a poor decision ruined the game.
“They’ve both got eyes for the ball and there is contact. Is it serious foul play which is how they’ve judged it?
“In my opinion the intent is there to win the ball and not to harm the player and there is connection but there is no call on field.”
Match Report: Sydney FC valiantly secured a 1-1 draw in the Australia Day Big Blue despite spending most of the game at 10-men following a hugely debatable send off.
Pat Wood was dismissed on 35 minutes following a VAR review after a challenge which ended the biggest game of the regular season as a contest.
Man of the match Jordan Courtney-Perkins had opened the scoring in the 8th minute for the Sky Blues, with Zinedine Machach equalising nine minutes later in an end to end game, at that point.
Sydney FC put up a defensive wall for the rest of the game and successfully secured the draw.
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE, 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 8. Jake GIRDWOOD-REICH, 10. Joseph LOLLEY (25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI 63’) (11. Robert MAK 94’), 12. Corey HOLLMAN, 13. Pat WOOD, 15. Gabriel LACERDA, 17. Anthony CACERES, 22. Mac BURGESS (9. Fabio GOMES 45’), 23. Rhyan GRANT, 26. Luke BRATTAN ©.
Unused Subs: 20. Adam PAVLESIC (GK), 18. Matthew SCARCELLA, 19. Mitch GLASSON, 27. Hayden MATTHEWS.
Yellow Cards: Brattan 69’.
Red Cards: Wood 35’.
Melbourne Victory: 20. Paul IZZO (GK), 2. Jason GERIA, 3. Adama TRAORE (28. Franco LINO 79’), 5. Damien DA SILVA, 8. Zinedine MACHACH, 11. Ben FOLAMI, 19. Daniel ARZANI (7. Christopher IKONOMIDIS 79’), 21. Roderick MIRANDA ©, 22. Jake BRIMMER (Jordi VALADON), 25. Ryan TEAGUE (4. Roman VIDAL).
Unused Subs: 40. Christian SICILIANO (GK), 14. Connor CHAPMAN.
Yellow Cards: Miranda 91’, Vidal 91’.
Red Cards: None
Venue: AAMI Park
Referee: Adam Kersey
