Sydney FC remain undefeated in the Hyundai A-League after seven rounds this season having beaten Melbourne City 2-1 at AAMI Park this evening.
Sydney FC 2 (Janko 10’, 82’) defeated Melbourne City 1 (Paartalu 87’)
The Sky Blues had marquee man Marc Janko to thank for the goals, after the Austrian returned early from international duty to find the back of the net either side of half time.
Melbourne City scored a late consolation goal to deny Sydney FC keeper Vedran Janjetovic a fifth consecutive clean sheet while Sky Blues midfielder Milos Dimitrijevic was sent off in the final minutes for a second bookable offence.
What They Said:
Graham Arnold: “I was very happy with the performance and I thought the hard work and determination we put in was excellent.
“We deserved our win and the way we came together as a team was superb. Everyone put in a performance, particularly in the first half which is something we spoke about.
“Marc Janko came home early to play in this fixture and that decision paid off. He thoroughly deserved his two goals.”
Goals
10’ JANKO GOAL – Bernie Ibini gets free on the right and delivers a fantastic cross to Janko at the back post who heads home unmarked.
82’ JANKO GOAL – Janko gets clear of the City defence as the home side search for the equaliser and when faced with a one on one situation flicks the ball past Redmayne.
87’ PAARTALU GOAL – A cross from the Melbourne City right finds the head of Paartalu who loops a header into the corner of the Sydney FC goal.
Key Moments
12’ JANJETOVIC SAVE – Duff finds himself in space to shoot on the left hand side but Janjetovic is quickly off his line to block with his legs. The ball falls loose and both men try to retrieve with Duff falling over the keeper’s body. Melbourne City claim a penalty but nothing is awarded.
24’ JANKO HIT POST – Pedj Bojic has room to cross on the right hand side and swings one in. Janko meets it with his head but hits the post and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
38’ ABBAS ONE ON ONE – Brilliant move from Sydney FC sends Ali Abbas clear and the Iraqi international tries to nudge the ball past Redmayne but the keeper spreads himself and deflects the ball wide for a corner which comes to nothing.
49’ JANKO CLEARS OFF THE LINE – With Janjetovic off his line having come for a cross the ball finds its way to Williams who hits it into the ground with his right foot. The ball heads towards goal but Janko is back to clear two yards out from the goal line.
68’ RHYAN GRANT RETURNS – After more than a year out with a knee injury, Rhyan Grant returns as a substitute for Ali Abbas.
89’ DIMITRIJEVIC SENT OFF – Sydney FC Milos Dimitrijevic is sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Time wasting was the crime the second time.
Team News
Sydney FC 2 (Janko 10’, 82’) defeated Melbourne City 1 (Paartalu 87’)
Head Coach Graham Arnold recalled Terry Antonis and Marc Janko from international duty from the team who played against Melbourne Victory seven days earlier. Alex Gersbach was introduced at left back while Ali Abbas pushed on in midfield. Chris Naumoff and Shane Smeltz began on the bench alongside Rhyan Grant who made his first line up in over a year following an ACL knee injury. Pedj Bojic came in at right back while Seb Ryall moved to centre half in place of Sasa Ognenovski. Aaron Calver was introduced onto the bench.
Ground: AAMI Park
Referee: Kris Griffiths Jones
Attendance: 9,474
Sydney FC: 20. Vedran JANJETOVIC, 2. Seb RYALL, 4. Pedj BOJIC, 6. Nikola PETKOVIC, 8.Milos DIMITRIJEVIC, 11. Bernie IBINI, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 16. Alex GERSBACH, 17. Terry ANTONIS, 21. Marc JANKO (9. Shane SMELTZ 95’), 22. Ali ABBAS (23. Rhyan GRANT 68’).
Subs Not Used: 1. Ivan NECEVSKI, 13. Christopher NAUMOFF, 25. Aaron CALVER
Yellow cards: Bojic 18’, Dimitrijevic 70’.
Red cards: 8. Milos DIMITRIJEVIC 89’.
Melbourne City: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE, 2. Robbie WIELAERT, 5. Erik PAARTALU, 6. Aaron MOOY, 7. Iain RAMSAY, 11. Damien DUFF, 15. David WILLIAMS (14. James BROWN 65’), 17. Jason HOFFMAN, 23. Mate DUGANDZIC (25. Jacob MELLING 77’), 24. Patrick KISNORBO, 28. Liam MILLER (25. Jacob MELLING 45’)
Subs Not Used: 20. Tando VELAPHI, 27. Ross ARCHIBALD
Yellow cards: Wielaert 79’.
Red cards: None
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