Sydney FC maintained their record of one defeat in eight Hyundai A-League games as they came within millimetres of securing all three points against Wellington Phoenix.
Summary
Sydney FC 0 drew with Wellington Phoenix 0
Sydney FC maintained their record of one defeat in eight Hyundai A-League games as they came within millimetres of securing all three points against Wellington Phoenix.
Alex Brosque sent an 84th minute shot off the inside of the post and the rebound failed to find a Sydney FC player. The Sky Blues created the better chances with Brosque, Smeltz, Holosko and Ninkovic all going close to breaking the deadlock while Rodriguez hit the post for the Phoenix.
Sydney FC were also denied two penalty appeals from referee Chris Beath with Holosko and Brosque claiming fouls against them.
The Sky Blues face Newcastle Jets in the next game at home next Friday night in an 7.40pm kick off.
What They Said
Steve Corica: “Defensively we were very good. Another clean sheet at home, we finished very strongly as well in the second half and we had 15 shots. It’s all positives but it’s just not falling our way the final pass, the ball isn’t dropping for us.
“I think Brosque went very close to a penalty and I think Filip’s too was very close to a penalty. With Brosquey, he had a very good game, unlucky not to score by hitting the post. I think overall we were the better team, defensively very good, I don’t think they had a shot on target so that’s a very positive sign that we’ve kept another clean sheet but these are the games we need to win.
“The boys were desperate for three points and they showed that in the second half. They went for it and gave everything they had and for me were unlucky not to get the three points.”
Key Moments
11’ HOLOSKO SHOT SAVED – Brosque latches onto a through ball down the left and pulls the ball back to the edge of the box where Holosko dispossess Doyle before curling a shot towards the bottom corner but Moss tips around the post.
21’ NINKOVIC CLOSE – Brosque plays Holosko in down the right channel and the Slovakian curls a superb cross towards Ninkovkic 10 yards out in the penalty box but Gulley is there in the nick of time to put the ball behind.
36’ SMELTZ CHANCE – Holosko plays a delightful ball out to Smeltz on the wide left. He cuts inside Muscat and shoots on target but Durante deflects it behind for a corner kick.
46’ HOLOSKO PENALTY APPEALS – Holosko bursts onto a ball in the box and is barged to the floor by Muscat however referee Chris Beath is in no mood to award a penalty.
47’ NINKOVIC SHOOTS OVER – A neat turn from Smeltz on the edge of the box draws defenders towards him, it leaves Ninkovic free in space on the edge of the box and Smeltz feeds him but the Serbian hits a shot just over the bar.
57’ BROSQUE CHANCE – Smeltz plays a fantastic ball in behind the defence to Brosque who shoots across the keeper and inches past the post. Best move of the match so far.
69’ RODRIGUEZ HITS POST – A left wing corner is headed beyond the far post by Krishna and Rodriguez tries to turn it back goalwards but it hits the post and goes out.
81’ BROSQUE PUSHED IN BOX – Brosque surges into the left hand side of the box but is pushed in the chest by Muscat, however the referee waves away claims for a penalty.
84’ BROSQUE HITS POST – Simon plays Brosque through and the striker beats Fenton for pace before curling a shot off the inside of the post and the rebound doesn’t fall kindly for Smeltz who is waiting.
Team News
Sydney FC 0 drew with Wellington Phoenix 0
Sydney FC’s Head Coach Graham Arnold kept faith with the line-up who drew 0-0 in stifling conditions in Perth a week earlier, giving them the chance to play in more favourable conditions.
Attendance: 9,253
Ground: Allianz Stadium
Referee: Chris Beath
Sydney FC: 1. Vedran JANJETOVIC, 2. Seb RYALL, 3. Alex GERSBACH, 5. Matt JURMAN, 8. Milos DIMITRIJEVIC (13. Brandon O’NEILL 57’), 9. Shane SMELTZ, 10. Milos NINKOVIC (7. Andrew HOOLE 57’), 14. Alex BROSQUE, 21. Filip HOLOSKO (18. Matt SIMON 70’), 23. Rhyan GRANT, 27. Mickael TAVARES.
Subs not used: 20. Ivan NECEVSKI, 4. Zac ANDERSON.
Yellow cards: Dimitrijevic 8’, O’Neill 53’, Smeltz 75’, Hoole 92’
Red cards: None.
Wellington Phoenix: 1.Glen MOSS (gk), 2.Manny MUSCAT, 3.Justin GULLEY (12.Blake POWELL 57’), 4.Roly BONEVACIA (7.Jeffrey SARPONG 80’), 8.Alex RODRIGUEZ, 10.Michael MCGLINCHEY, 13.Albert RIERA, 16.Louis FENTON, 19.Tom DOYLE, 21.Roy KRISHNA, 22.Andrew DURANTE (c).
Subs not used: 20.Lewis ITALIANO (gk), 17.Vince LIA, 23.Matthew RIDENTON
Yellow cards: Bonevacia 15’, Doyle 74’, Fenton 85’, Lia 91’.
Red cards: None.
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