‘It was important to bounce back’: Le Fondre, Sky Blues make stylish return to winner’s circle

Sydney FC striker Adam le Fondre says his side’s 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory in the Big Blue proves their shock loss to Western Sydney Wanderers in Round 21 was just a blip on the radar.

The Sky Blues opened up a 13-point gap on top of the Hyundai A-League table with the resounding win at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night; it came at an important time for the league-leaders who lost just their second game of the campaign against the Wanderers in the previous round.

Speaking after scoring the third of his side’s four goals in the Big Blue, le Fondre says the convincing result came at just the right time to steady the ship and put his side back on course as they sail toward the Premiers Plate.

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“I think the Wanderers game was a bit of a blip for us,” le Fondre told FOX Sports post-match.

“It was important to bounce back.

“We had a good performance against Jeonbuk here in the Asian Champions League [2-2 draw midweek].

“We’re a little bit disappointed we got the draw there when we should have won really at home, but to come here and get a resounding win [shows] exactly what we’re made of.”

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But it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the Sky Blues at Marvel Stadium; an early goal to Marco Rojas put them well and truly on the back foot and questions began to arise of whether a second consecutive shock loss was on the cards.

But the reigning Champions showed all of their steel from that moment on, scoring four unanswered goals to notch a result in a game which le Fondre says they slowly but surely grew into along the way.

The second half of the first half we really grew into the game,” he said.

“We got a foothold on the ball, [Luke Brattan] and Paulo [Retre] were just dominating the game from there and we started to get in good positions with the 10’s and me and Kosta [Barbarouses] getting in behind a little bit more.

“We carried that on into the second half as well, we created chances from that and put them away.”

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One player who shone for Sydney on the night was Anthony Caceres in midfield; his stunning goal on his non-preferred left foot gave the Sky Blues a 2-1 advantage in the second half which they then built into a convincing win on the road.

Caceres says he’s delighted that he could add goals to his game to match the overall quality of his general play.

“I’m very happy with it,” Caceres told FOX Sports.

“I didn’t know I could do that with my left peg but luckily enough it went in.

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“Goals contribute a lot to the success of a team,” Caceres continued.

“I think my general play has been good but it’s nice to contribute on the scoresheet as well.

“I think with more game time and more fitness I can do that more often than not.

“I’m really enjoying my football at the moment, it’s great to be a part of a team that’s winning.”

After making light work of Victory in the Big Blue, Sydney now turn their attention to a Grand Final rematch with Perth Glory at Jubilee Stadium in Round 23.

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Round 23

Sydney FC v Perth Glory
Saturday, 14 March 
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Kick off: 5pm AEDT

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Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory
Sunday, 15 March 
Sky Stadium
Kick off: 6.20pm local, 4.20pm AEDT

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