Sydney FC head coach Steve Corica has labelled Milos Ninkovic as the best player in A-League history after the Serbian came off the bench to score the equaliser in Sydney FC’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle Jets.
The midfielder’s goal changed the momentum of the game in Sydney’s favour, after their goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne had earlier gifted the Jets a goal with a horror pass.
Sydney came into the game as favourites, but it was the Jets who took the lead against the run of play.
In the 21st minute, Sydney keeper Redmayne attempted to play out from the back – but instead of finding a teammate – he passed the ball to Jets attacker Luka Prso. Redmayne’s wayward pass put Prso clear infront of goal and he made no mistake, easily firing past the goalkeeper.
Redmayne has made three clear errors leading to goals this season. Corica said his side got the keeper ‘out of jail’ by winning, but did not have an answer to his recent mistakes, which have cost Sydney four points.
“We don’t know why,” he said.
“We will be having a discussion next week.”
“I am not happy with the mistakes he’s making. Goalkeepers can’t hide.
“We need him, he’s a great player for us. He’s just got to stop making these silly mistakes.”
With Sydney trailing 1-0 midway through the second half, Corica brought on Ninkovic from the bench. His arrival sparked Sydney into life, and they pressed Newcastle in search of an equaliser.
In the 64th minute, Patrick Wood found Ninkovic with a pass in the box. The Serbian made room for himself in a tight space, before slotting the ball past Jets keeper Jack Duncan.
Despite being 36-years-old, Ninkovic continues to be Sydney’s best player and Corica was full of praise for him after the match.
“He is the best in the A-League we have ever had,” he said.
“You see the difference when he comes on.
“We needed a goal and ‘Ninko’ came up with it. He has the quality to come on and change the game.”
After Ninkovic’s goal Sydney continued their attacking onslaughts. They eventually got the second goal their dominance deserved in the 80th minute, through an unlikely source – when captain Alex Wilkinson stood tallest to meet a Luke Brattan corner and he headed in past Duncan – to score what would prove to be the winner.
It was the Wilkinson’s first goal for Sydney FC in 122 A-League appearances.
Corica said the comeback win showed the resilience in his squad, which have won the past two championships.
“I have great belief in the players,” he said.
“It shows a very good team to come back like that.
Mentally, physically after a short turnaround the boys showed great character to turn that around.
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The Sky Blues have won back-to-back matches to move into equal third place on the ladder. They will take on cellar dwellers Melbourne Victory at home next week, in a game they are expected to win.
Corica said he was happy with how Sydney was playing and they had their eyes set on a winning run.
“It was a very important win today,” he said.
“It’s nice to start scoring goals. That was the main concern for me. The style of play was excellent – it was just finishing off with goals. We are getting that and now we are on a roll.”
Feature image credit: Jaime Castaneda
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