Sydney FC are a champion team, and despite losing their last two cup finals, they reminded the A-League of their formidable power Saturday night when they beat a hapless Melbourne City 3-0 at AAMI Park.
The visitors scored their first via a clever flick from former City player Paolo Retre in the 16th minute and their next through classy striker Adam Le Fondre in the 61st minute. Le Fondre then got his double in injury time to cap off a dirty night for Warren Joyce’s side.
Sydney FC’s Adam Le Fondre chips City goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.Credit:AAP
Melbourne were unlucky to draw 1-1 last week against Central Coast after wasting a whole host of chances but there was nothing unfortunate about their failure to get a win, with Sydney putting in a clinical and professional display.
The loss is more disappointing when you consider City had the fresher players – Sydney coach Steve Corica used the same 11 starting players he opted for against Western Sydney Wanderers and Adelaide United in the FFA Cup final in the past seven days – but Melbourne looked the more sluggish side at crucial times in the first half.
Paulo Retre scores for Sydney FC.Credit:AAP
Sydney played a smart and patient game, dropping deep in defence and jockeying City’s players, waiting for them to make a mistake. When they did they pounce they tried to use Milos Ninkovic’s touch and Michael Zullo’s pace to pearce the opposition in attack. Rhyan Grant was also damaging in defence and up the wings as was the the commanding effort from central midfield pairing Brandon O’Neill and Joshua Brillante.
Joyce’s men weren’t quick enough or creative enough in their play to put any real pressure on Sydney in the first half in particular, and for long stretches of the second. Star striker Bruno Fornaroli was often too isolated in attack and he would do a wonderful job of drawing a crowd of Sydney defenders only to have no teammates in support to pass too.
Sydney’s lead came as Melbourne’s defenders stood seemingly still, deep in their box, allowing Le Fondre to switch the play to Grant on the right flank who shot a bullet towards goal. Waiting unmarked in the box was the former City man Retre who cleverly poked his foot out and deflected the ball into the goal through Eugene Galekovic’s legs. They could have had another 12 minutes later but the Johnny Warren medal winner couldn’t keep his lashed shot under the bar.
Sydney’s second goal was beautifully worked from wide to inside, after Le Fondre passed to Grant, who found Retre at the edge of the box. He rolled a ball inside the box which Le Fondre ran onto, controlled and then chipped over Galekovic. The former Reading striker Le Fondre is already building a reputation as one of the best finishers in the A-League, with that his fourth goal in four starts in all competitions.
Retre navigates traffic for Sydney FC.Credit:AAP
McGree’s influence diminished in the second half and Richie De Laet’s ability to cause problems also dwindled. City’s best chance came four minutes into the second half when Dario Vidosic’s header from Scott Jamieson’s lovely went straight to Andrew Redmayne.
And in case the crowd of 12,086 hadn’t endured a poor-enough night, Le Fondre got a third in injury time thanks to some lazy defending and sharp work from substitute Charles Lokoli Ngoy.
Source: Read Full Article