Sydney FC walked away victors on the night but they didn’t escape the bout unbloodied. Despite the gulf in class on paper Wellington Phoenix made the Sky Blues work for the points and may have even exposed a chink in their armour.
“I’m not happy with our defensive performance,” said coach Graham Arnold after the match.
“We should have buried the game before the half. It should have been three or four nil.”
It’s true that once they settled into the game the champions looked the better of the two sides. The attacking quartet of Ninkovic, Brosque, Mierzejewski and Bobo showed early signs of being a formidable force. However Wellington managed to chip away at what was a record setting defence on more than one occasion.
Sydney FC have not lost or even conceded two goals at home since the 2nd of April 2016.
Whilst their undefeated streak continues Wellington managed to breakdown the vaunted Sydney defence twice in the one evening.
“I think we showed they have a weakness,” said Wellington coach Darije Kalezic.
“But we have to play them two more times so I can’t tell you what it is.”
Arnold was more candid with his assessment of the team’s performance and credited Wellington with stretching Sydney thin.
“Our attack was too high and defence was too deep,” said Arnold.
However, despite the close call the Sydney manager wasn’t too worried about his squad.
“When you play three games in a week you don’t get to train,” explained Arnold. “So tactically you don’t get to work on everything.”
Sydney will take the next two days off to let the team get their head and bodies right ahead of next week’s derby at Allianz. After a grueling week that saw the Sky Blues play two games in Melbourne in addition to the home opener the break is well earned.
It also comes at an opportune time for Adrian Mierzejewski who was subbed off early in the second half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The Polish international walked down the tunnel without aid and insisted he was fine after the match. He also shrugged off any suggestions of pre-derby nerves.
“I’ve watched YouTube videos and I know this is a big match for the fans,” said Mierzejewski.
“But I’m used to it. For me it’s just another match.”
That sort of composure will definitely come in handy when the Wanderers come to Moore Park next weekend in what’s certain to be another fiery encounter.
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