Defending A-League champions Sydney FC have picked up their second win of the season, but they were made to work for it against Wellington Phoenix.
The Sky Blues started quicker than their kiwi counterparts, with smart interplay down the right-hand side between Rhyan Grant and Alex Bauhjahann causing problems for the Phoenix.
In the 17th minute, the deadlock was broken. Following a scuffle in the box from a Baumjahann corner, Brandon O’Neill’s shot was deflected past Stefan Marinovic into the back on the net.
Wellington should have scored right on half-time after Ball found space on the right wing. His cross found the head of Sotirio who forced a remarkable save from Redmayne.
The champions started the second period with a big chance when Barbarouses was played in by Baumjohann. The former Phoenix striker forced a smart save from Marinovic.
Wellington went up the other end through Sotirio, his cross found Ulises Davila who blasted the ball straight at Redmayne. The resulting shot fell to Ball who hit the post from close range.
Alex Rufer had his header breeze just past the post shortly after, with Redmayne planted to the spot.
Phoenix found the equaliser just after the hour mark. Sotirio found some space down the right-hand side to cut the ball back to Davila, who calmly slotted it into the bottom corner.
Sydney quickly retook the lead through Grant, O’Neill threaded the ball through to the fullback before the Socceroo shot into the top corner.
VAR then had to intervene on a horrific tackle on Anthony Caceres. Liberato Cacace lunged into the attacker studs up, which gave referee Jonathan Barreiro no choice but to send the left back off after inspection.
The win for Sydney sets up the derby nicely with the Wanderers also with a 100 per cent record.
Wellington will be back at home in the distance derby against Perth, with both sides looking to pick up their first win.
Sydney FC: 2 (O’Neill 17′, Grant 77′)
Wellington Phoenix: 1 (Davila 69′)
Leichhardt Oval
Attendance: 12,536
Referee: Jonathan Barreiro
Assistant Referees: Owen Goldrick, Kearney Robinson
Fourth Official: Stephen Lucas
Sydney FC: Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), Rhyan GRANT, Ryan MCGOWAN, Alex WILKINSON (C), Paulo RETRE (Joel KING 89′), Luke BRATTAN (Luke IVANOVIC 86′), Brandon O’NEILL, Alexander BAUMJOHANN (Anthony CACERES 74′), Milos NINKOVIC, Kosta BARBAROUSES, Adam LE FONDRE
Unused subs: Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), Patrick FLOTTMANN, Harry VAN DER SAAG, Jordi SWIBEL
Wellington Phoenix: Stefan MARINOVIC (GK), Louis FENTON, Steven TAYLOR (C), Luke DEVERE, Liberato CACACE, Alex RUFER, Matti STEINMANN (Reno RISCOPO 82′), Ulises DAVILA, Callum MCCOWATT, David BALL, Jaushua SOTIRIO (Ben WAINE 85′)
Unused subs: Oliver SAIL (GK), Te Atawhai HUDSON-WIHONGI, Tim PAYNE, Cameron DEVLIN
Feature image credit: Jamie Castaneda
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