REVIEW | Sydney FC 2 defeat Melbourne City 1

Sydney FC survived some late drama to beat Melbourne City in a close contest.

Leading into the game it has been a tale of two stories and the first half reflected that fact. Melbourne City fans have been left frustrated again with inconsistent results and most recently losing a two goal lead against fellow competition strugglers Central Coast. Sydney however, have shown they can be solid defensively having not conceded in over 400 minutes.

The game started off in a tight manner with both sides cautiously populating the midfield with the only chance in the first ten minutes falling to Mooy who made a dangerous run and failing to connect to a Dugandzic cross.

However how that changed dramatically, the remaining 35 minutes was full of chances for both sides. The first breakthrough came from a gorgeous cross which found the head of Janko who put Sydney ahead when he found the vacated net as Redmayne had misread it at the front post.

They say you’re most likely to concede after conceding and that almost was too true for the Sydney siders when duff went through for a 1 on 1. Fortunately for them Janjetovic saved the day in which became a repeated theme of the first half however there are some question marks on whether a penalty should’ve been given.

This theme continued with good chances for both sides with the highlight for City coming from a Dugandzic header which produced a top draw save from the Sydney custodian and a double chance for Williams and Duff who were unlucky to be denied just before the break.

At the other end the Sydney had their fair share of chances as well with Janko and Abbas missing clear cut one on one chances although Brosque almost saved the blushes of Janko. However it would have been the visitors who would be ruing that they weren’t in front by more.

The second half very much started with Melbourne City on top. The hosts had Sydney Fc pinned in their own half for much of the first 15 minutes of the second period. However apart from a tame Williams’s effort at an empty net which was cleared by Janko off the line, there wasn’t much happening apart from multiple set pieces.

Slowly and surely though the sky blues from Sydney got better and it showed. Abbas had their first chance with a blocked shot from the City captain Kisnorbo. This was followed shortly after when Ibini almost found Janko in the box only to be denied again by the opposition’s skipper.

City however then reminded their opponents when James Brown headed over the bar but Sydney by this stage were dominate. Ibini forced a good save from Redmayne after a wonderful ball from Antonis who with Dimitrijevic orchestrated the Sydney midfield.

The marquee man then seemed to lock in the result when Janko pounced upon a wayward Wielaert goal with a calm finish. However city had other ideas when Paartalu converted a pin-point cross with a looping header. However that only proved a consolation despite Sydney going down to 10 when Dimitrijevic was sent off for time wasting.

Melbourne City now face a tough away trip to Wellington while Sydney FC look forward to the Sydney Derby next Saturday night.

Final Score:  Melbourne City 1 (Paartalu 85’) lost to Sydney FC 2 (Janko 10’, 82’).

FTS Man of the Match:  Marc Janko

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