Sydney FC’s perfect start to the Hyundai A-League season has continued on Sunday, after crushing Perth Glory 4-1 in a pulsating encounter at Allianz Stadium.
In perfect conditions for football, Glory started brighter with striker Andy Keogh on the end of three excellent chances inside the first 11 minutes.
But Sky Blues midfielder Milos Ninkovic dominated from that point, first scoring himself after a horror mix-up by the Glory defence before setting up Bobo for a 2-0 half-time lead.
Glory breathed life into the contest just after the hour mark when Joseph Mills’ cross was deflected in off Rhyan Grant.
But Ninkovic eased any nerves by scoring his second 11 minutes from the end, before skipper Alex Brosque put the icing on the cake late on.
The result means Graham Arnold’s side has won six from six to start the season to sit a healthy six points clear at the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder.
Sydney travels to Brisbane next to face the Roar on Saturday night, while Glory return home for a clash with winless Adelaide United on Friday.
Catch up with all the action at our match centre here
GOALS
1-0 Sydney: Milos Ninkovic, 14’
This was a gift for the home side. Under pressure deep in the corner, Dino Djulbic’s attempted clearance was blocked by Ninkovic. The Serbian then chased down the loose ball, getting there just before keeper Liam Reddy, poking it past the gloveman before running the ball into an empty net.
2-0 Sydney: Bobo, 38’
Rhyan Grant dispossessed Nebo Marinkovic on halfway and played it to Alex Brosque, who then released Ninkovic to drive into the box. Instead of go for goal himself, Ninkovic unselfishly squared it to Bobo to tap in from close range.
2-1 Perth: Grant (og), 62’
Joseph Mills’ overlapping run was spotted by Keogh who played him in, with the defender’s cross deflecting off Grant’s outstretched boot to beat Danny Vukovic at his near post.
3-1 Sydney: Ninkovic, 79’
A superb counter attack by the Sky Blues ended with David Carney’s curling effort hitting the crossbar before falling to Ninkovic. Who controlled it on his chest before smashing it in.
4-1 Sydney: Brosque, 88’
Substitute Matt Simon was heavily involved, first teeing up Carney’s shot which was blocked before passing to Brosque who played the ball around Reddy and slotting it home.
OPTA DATA
- The Sky Blues have now opened the season with six straight wins, needing just one more to equal Melbourne Victory’s record of seven in season 2006/07.
- Sydney FC have now scored 17 goals for the season from six matches, the most goals scored in opening six rounds of a season in Hyundai A-League history.
KEY MOMENT
Just four minutes in and Glory had a great chance to take the lead when an excellent move in midfield ended with Milan Smiljanic sending Andy Keogh clean through on goal. The striker only had Danny Vukovic to beat but shanked his shot wide of the post when he really should have scored. A crucial miss as Sydney eventually took control and took the lead just 10 minutes later.
CROWD
14,167 @Allianz Stadium
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