Sydney FC is the National Youth League’s inaugural champion after beating Adelaide United 2-0 in the grand final at Hindmarsh Stadium on Saturday.
The Sky Blues took the lead thanks to an Ibrahim Haydar goal in the 21st minute and then made sure of the result with a Robbie Mileski close-range score in the second half.
Despite being the frontrunners of the competition all season, Sydney was disadvantaged by playing the final on Adelaide’s home pitch.
But the team looked comfortable at Hindmarsh, delivering a solid performance against a determined and in-form Reds line-up.
While the teams shared possession, it was Sydney’s ability to create opportunities in tight situations, outmuscle its opponent and accelerate away from contests which set them apart from their opposition.
If it wasn’t for the judgement and cool head of United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti the margin may have been greater.
It was the third time out of four games the Sky Blues has beaten the baby Reds this season.
Adelaide had a number of great chances to score in both halves but they lacked the polish to finish.
The NYL’s leading goal scorer Francesco Monterosso loomed as the danger man before the clash but hardly got a look-in thanks to a tight defensive effort by the visiting team.
Sydney FC coach Steve O’Connor said there was a sense of relief to win the grand final after such a dominant season.
“I don’t think we played that well today, it’s the worst we’ve kept possession all year. We did cause some problems I guess, we had a few good chances but in terms of keeping possession during the game I don’t think we did that well,” he said.
“They (the players) are elated; they’ve worked hard all year. It was a decent game, they are a difficult team to play against. It was a tough contest – by no means was it an easy 2-0 that’s for sure.”
Adelaide United coach Joe Mullen said his side was beaten by the better team on the day.
“I think physically they were stronger, they move the ball around a lot quicker than we did and they thoroughly deserved the win,” Mullen said.
But the Reds coach was happy with his team’s efforts.
“I’m very proud of what they (his side) have done and what they’ve achieved. I think we went from Round 1, or the early rounds, where they were playing almost as individuals, they didn’t really know each other. What they’ve developed into is a wonderful football team with a good blend of ages through.”
Adelaide had won four first-half corners to Sydney FC’s one but over-kicked with the breeze or missed team-mates during its set plays.
In contrast the Sky Blues were more dangerous and scored from their second corner at the 21st minute.
Captain Chris Triantis delivered the ball to the edge of the penalty box where Haydar nodded the ball into the left corner of the net.
Haydar was swamped by his team-mates after the critical first score.
It was a competitive first half with Adelaide winning plenty of the ball while Sydney was good in close quarters.
Monterosso presented himself on occasions but his best opportunity to score – a header from inside the box – lacked penetration.
Scott Weidenbach also got the Hindmarsh Stadium crowd excited with a run into attack at the 31st minute. He found some space in the box but had his shot smothered by an intuitive Vedran Janjetovic who came off his line to smother the ball.
Sydney also had good scoring opportunities with Kofi Danning scooping the ball over the cross bar from about 15 metres out. And at 40-minutes Chris Payne pulled the trigger from close range but was denied by Birighitti.
There were more chances for both sides early in the second half.
At the 47th minute a Danning header was blocked by Birighitti and cleared by Alex Sunasky.
Only minutes later, an elusive Osama Malik rushed a low cross into the box which was volleyed by Michael De Bono. But Janjetovic pulled off a reflex save to maintain his team’s advantage.
In the end it was Sydney who could deliver the killer blow. At the 77th Mileski hammered home the winner from close range.
The second goal saw the game open up but neither team could add to the scoreboard despite their desperate attempts.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek presented grand final medals to both teams in a presentation after the match.
Adelaide United 0
Sydney FC 2 Haydar 21′, Mileski 77′
