Sydney FC have maintained their perfect start to the season after netting an injury-time winner to steal a 1-0 win against Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Sunday.
Milos Ninkovic was the hero for the Sky Blues, side-footing home in the 92nd minute to break Phoenix hearts after they had dominated large sections of the match.
The result sees Graham Arnold’s side jump back to the top of the ladder, having yet to concede a goal, while the Phoenix remain rooted to the bottom and are yet to open their account.
It was a cruel result for the home side, who twice had the ball in the back of the net in the first half with both efforts ruled out for off-side, while David Carney had looked the most likely for the visitors.
Wellington showed their intent early with Michael Zullo having to be on high alert to smother a shot from Kosta Barbarouses inside five minutes.
All White Michael McGlinchey nicked in behind Sydney FC’s defence and slotted home shortly after but his run and finish was correctly ruled out for off-side.
Wellington were almost hit with a sucker-punch when Carney beat the off-side trap and blazed at goal, with Glen Moss making a fantastic point-blank save to retain parity.
The Nix’s next chance came from a corner when Tom Doyle headed against the bar, while Roy Krishna thought he’d opened the scoring with a slick effort on the stroke of half-time.
Sydney FC showed much more intent after the break with Carney curling a shot just wide of the far post but just as both sides seemed content to settle for a draw Ninkovic popped up at the death to nick all three points.
See how the action unfolded in the match centre
GOALS
0-1 Sydney FC: Milos Ninkovic, 90+2’
With the clock running down Michael Zullo fired a long cross into the box which found the head of Matt Simon, he cushioned the ball down for Ninkovic for the easiest of finishes past Moss.
KEY MOMENT
The Phoenix faithful thought they’d scored just before the break when Krishna found space in behind Sydney’s defence, rounded Danny Vukovic and rolled the ball into an empty net. However the play was again called back for off-side, with replays suggesting it was a harsh decision.
OPTA DATA
- Wellington Phoenix have now been beaten in seven straight Hyundai A-League matches and remain the only team yet the find the back of the net this season.
- Sydney FC maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign and are still yet to concede a goal despite having the lowest share of possession in the league.
