Sydney FC and Melbourne City have shared the spoils following a fiery 1-1 draw in Friday night’s top of the table blockbuster at ANZ Stadium.
A spectacular first-half strike from Fernando Brandan put the visitors in front, with a 10-man Sky Blues gifted a way back into the match late on via the penalty spot.
There were plenty of chances across a heated 90 minutes, with Sydney’s Rhyan Grant having a goal struck off for offside, while City’s Nicolas Colazo hit the bar with a curling left-footed free kick.
Graham Arnold made two changes to the side that beat Newcastle last weekend with marquees Bobo and Filip Holosko restored to the starting side.
There were four changes for City, with John van’t Schip handing a Hyundai A-League debut to 19-year-old defender Ruon Tongyik.
The result means the Sky Blues maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign and six point gap at the top of the table from the recently crowned Westfield FFA Cup champions.
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GOALS
0-1 Melbourne City: Fernando Brandan, 31’
Brandan received the ball from Argentine compatriot Nicolas Colazo and made a beeline for goal, unleashing a cracking shot from outside the box that gave Sydney FC keeper Danny Vukovic no chance.
1-1 Sydney FC: Bobo (pen), 81’
The Brazilian marquee was awarded a penalty when his jersey was tugged by Michael Jakobsen as he tried to get on the end of a threaded pass from Milos Ninkovic. Despite Dean Bouzanis guessing the right way Bobo found the back of the net with his spot kick.
RED CARD
Josh Brillante was given his marching orders midway through the second half after picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Neil Kilkenny.
OPTA DATA
- Sydney FC continue their undefeated start to the season, which extends to ten matches.
- Melbourne City stretched their unbeaten run against the Sky Blues to five matches (W2, D3).
KEY MOMENT
The Sky Blues thought they’d opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Grant found himself in space inside the box and pulled the trigger. The right back’s effort rippled the back of the net but the shot hit teammate Bobo on the goal line, with the goal disallowed for offside.
CROWD
14,668 @ ANZ Stadium
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