Sydney FC have become the first team in Hyundai A-League history to win back-to-back Premiers’ Plates, achieving the feat after a 3-2 win over Perth Glory on Thursday night.
On a memorable night for the Sky Blues, a brace to Bobo – who set a single-season goal-scoring record in the process – and another to Adrian Mierzejewski ensured the result they needed at nib Stadium to clinch the silverware.
Bobo’s double takes his season tally to 24, overtaking the record set by Melbourne City’s Bruno Fornaroli (23) two seasons ago.
READ: Bobo sets Hyundai A-League goals record
Graham Arnold’s troops will now turn their focus on the domestic front to capturing the double again by winning the Hyundai A-League Grand Final in May.
For Perth, their finals hopes have suffered a serious dent, still one point behind the sixth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers, who have a game in hand.
They trailed 3-0 at the break, with substitute Adam Taggart sparking a possible fight-back with a second-half brace of his own.
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One down, one to go, WE ARE THE @ALeague PREMIERS!!! 🏆 But we're #NotDoneYet… #SydneyIsSkyBlue #PERvSYD pic.twitter.com/UomClmnrwN
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) March 29, 2018
STORY OF THE GAME
EARLY CHANCE: Inside three minutes and Bobo springs the offside trap but his shot from a tough angle is tipped past the post by Glory keeper Liam Reddy.
GOAL: Mierzejewski is in the right place at the right time to put the Sky Blues in front.
PENALTY AND GOAL: Matt Simon raced clear into the box and was brought down by Glory defender Dino Djulbic. Bobo made no mistake to double the visitor’s lead.
GOAL: Bobo gets his second to break the Hyundai A-League record for most goals in a regular season
HALF-TIME: Plenty of work for Glory to do in the second half as the Sky Blues take a commanding 3-0 lead to the sheds
KENNY ROLLS THE DICE: Chasing the game, Glory boss Kenny Lowe sent on Adam Taggart and Chris Harold for the second half, replacing Andrew and Joel Chianese.
CHANCE: Midway through the half, Taggart tries his luck from distance with his shot forcing Andrew Redmayne to get down low to save.
GOAL: Taggart’s composed finish gets Glory back into the contest with 18 minutes left.
GOAL: Taggart sets up a grandstand finish with a peach of a goal in the final minute.
GOALS
Adrian Mierzejewski: Sydney FC 12’ 0-1
Brandon O’Neill’s delightful ball over the Glory defence found Bobo whose shot was saved by Reddy, but the ball dropped to Mierzejewski who smashed it in from close range.
Bobo: Sydney FC 29’ 0-2
After Simon won a penalty for a foul by Djulbic, the Brazilian made no mistake, sending Reddy the wrong way and firing into the bottom corner.
Bobo: Sydney FC 39’ 0-3
Mierzejewski’s outrageous ball from inside his own half picked out Bobo inside the box and his shot from a tough angle went through Reddy’s legs and in.
Adam Taggart: Perth Glory 72’ 1-3
The substitutes combine with Harold releasing Taggart in behind the defence, with the Glory striker rounding an advancing Redmayne and sliding it in.
Adam Taggart: Perth Glory 89’ 2-3
After a smart step-over by Taggart, Andy Keogh then plays the ball back into the strikers path and he curls an incredible strike past Redmayne into the top corner.
