Melbourne City have brought their finals chances back into their own hands with a 1-0 win over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
City had plenty of chances to score throughout the match, but it was striker Max Caputo who claimed the all important goal while Sydney failed to register a shot on target all night.
Andreas Kuen came close on the half hour mark when his powerful strike from range thumped against the crossbar before Sydney cleared the danger.
City came within millimetres of taking the lead at the end of the first half when Harrison Devenish-Mears got a hand to Caputo’s lunging effort before Marcel Tisserand scrambled to clear it off the goal line.
The deadlock was finally broken early in the second half when Caputo outmuscled his marker Rhyan Grant to head home Daniel Arzani’s corner and give City the 1-0 lead.
More chances for Melbourne City went begging later in the second half; first Marcus Younis sent his shot fizzing past the post, then minutes later Devenish-Mears needed to make a fine save with his outstretched foot to deny Elbasan Rashani.
Sydney spent stoppage time with the ball in their attacking half looking for an equaliser, but there was no way through City’s defence.
Both of these teams go again on Sunday afternoon; Sydney will host table-topping Newcastle Jets, while Melbourne City head over to Perth to take on the struggling Glory.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Melbourne City goal: Max Caputo 53′
