Sydney FC shook off a surprising loss last weekend and proved they were the better side as they defeated Melbourne Victory 4-1 on Saturday night.
Marco Rojas gave the home side something to be thrilled about as he found the match’s opener within the first five minutes.
The Kiwi weaved himself through three of the Sky Blue’s defence to run into the box and score.
Sydney responded with three attempts, but none of the shots from Kosta Barbarouses or Anthony Caceres travelled on target.
Sydney took charge in the latter stages and held possession of the ball, again scaring Victory with attempts on goal and were unlucky not to have converted.
Just as Elvis Kamsoba looked to have finally broken his drought in front of goal, Sydney brought the ball back into their attacking half and equalled the score 1-1.
Barbarouses found Milos Ninkovic who was able to send his shot into the bottom left of the net.
The Big Blue went into the half time break 1-1.
The second half began slower as neither side displayed a stronger dominance with play being end-to-end.
Lawrence’s foot denied Ninkovic his double, as he headed towards goal following a cross by Rhyan Grant; the first promising shot of the second half.
Tempers flared in Andrew Nabbout, who was one of the three Victory players who received a yellow card in the space of five minutes.
His being for dissent as he challenged referee Shaun Evans for making a mistake.
The visitors took their lead to 2-1 in the 66th minute.
Caceres scored the Sky Blue’s second, cutting in on his preferred foot and curling the shot to peg the far post.
Giancarlo Gallifuoco will want to forget Sydney’s next goal. The defender tried to assist Thomas but instead sent it over the line off of Adam Le Fondre’s shot.
VAR shortly after confirmed a penalty shot for Sydney and a red card for Victory defender Tim Hoogland for a poor challenge against Trent Buhagiar.
Barbarouses took the penalty shot for the Sky Blues, extending their lead to 4-1 in the final minutes.
In stoppage time Victory failed to reduce the deficit, reducing their finals hope to zero.
Melbourne Victory 1: (Rojas 5’)
Sydney FC 4: (Ninkovic 43’ Caceres 64’ Le Fondre 66’ Barbarouses 87’)
Marvel Stadium
Referee: Shaun Evans
Assistant Referees: George Lakrindis, Wilson Brown
Fourth Official: Lachlan Keevers
Melbourne Victory: Lawrence THOMAS (GK), James DONACHIE, Storm ROUX, Tim Hoogland, Leigh BROXHAM (Anthony LESIOTIS, 77’), Andrew NABBOUT, Ola TOIVONEN (C), Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO, Elvis KAMSOBA, Migjen BASHA, Marco ROJAS (Kenjok ATHIU, 74’).
Unused subs: Matthew ACTON (GK), Birkan KIRDAR, Benjamin CARRIGAN, Brandon LAUTON, So NISHIKAWA.
Sydney FC: Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), Alexander WILKINSON (C), Ryan MCGOWAN, Paulo RETRE, Adam LE FONDRE (Trent BUHAGIAR, 83’), Milos NINKOVIC (Marco TILIO, 90’), Kosta BARBAROUSES, Joel KING, Anthony CACERES, Rhyan GRANT, Luke BRATTAN (Alexander BAUMJOHANN, 88’).
Unused subs: Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (GK), Benjamin WARLAND, Harry VAN DER SAAG.
Feature Image Credit: Jaime Castaneda
