An Anthony Caceres double has helped a depleted Sydney FC claim a 3-2 Isuzu UTE A-League win over the Central Coast Mariners at Leichhardt Oval.
Coach Steve Corica was without eight first-team regulars due to COVID-19, injuries and international call-ups but the Sky Blues showed resilience to come from 2-1 down to seal victory on Sunday.
After Caceres had given the home side the lead from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time the Mariners roared into life with goals from Oliver Bozanic and debutant Jason Cummings.
Bobo notched an equaliser for Sydney and, despite claims from the Mariners defence that the Brazilian was offside, a VAR check ensured the goal stood.
Caceres then combined nicely with Elvis Kamsoba in the Mariners’ box in the 79th minute to score the winner.
Caceres’ calmness under pressure was in direct contrast with that of teammate Trent Buhagiar who failed to finish two clear-cut chances when played in on goal by Kamsoba and Mustafa Amini in the first half.
Caceres made no mistake from the spot when Jacob Farrell handled the ball in his own box just before the break.
Bozanic equalised when he caught the Sydney defence napping from a corner after half-time when he was given space to shoot at Tom Heward-Belle’s goal from the edge of the box.
His effort went in off the bar and the Mariners had the woodwork to thank a short while after when Cummings’ scuffed shot hit the left post then the right and trickled over the line.
The Scottish-born striker, who has expressed a desire to represent the Socceroos in the past, looked tidy in a 60-minute cameo and could well have added to his tally.
Sydney, though, came back fighting with Bobo registering a poacher’s effort to pull the Sky Blues level before Caceres landed the killer blow with less than 10 minutes to go.
Try as the Mariners might they couldn’t fashion a goal to draw themselves level and Sydney took the three points.
