Sydney FC have maintained their perfect start to the season after outclassing Newcastle Jets 2-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Sky Blues started the brighter and took the lead inside 10 minutes with returning skipper Alex Brosque netting his third goal of the season.
Graham Arnold’s side continued to press and should have extended their advantage with Matt Jurman, Bobo and Filip Holosko all spurning clear-cut chances in the opening half.
Jets midfielder Steve Ugarkovic butchered a gilt-edged chance on the stroke of half-time and it proved costly with Milos Ninkovic doubling Sydney’s advantage early in the second stanza.
Newcastle grew into the contest as the game progressed but failed to make their most of their opportunities as the Sky Blues held on for a deserved victory.
GOALS
0-1 Sydney FC: Alex Brosque, 8’
Michael Zullo pounced on a loose ball on the halfway line before feeding Milos Ninkovic who played a well-weighted ball into the path of Alex Brosque. The striker took a touch before calmly slotting past the onrushing Jack Duncan.
0-2 Sydney FC: Milos Ninkovic, 49’
Filip Holosko fired a stinging effort on goal which was paried by Jack Duncan with the rebound falling to Ninkovic who buried his strike into the back of the net.
KEY MOMENT
The Jets rarely troubled the Sky Blues’ goal in the first half but they should have gone level on the stroke of half-time through Steve Ugarkovic.
Andrew Hoole won the ball inside the box before finding Morten Nordstrand who showed great composure to tee-up Ugarkovic but the midfielder fired wide from just 12 yards.
OPTA DATA
– Sydney are now unbeaten in their last 11 against Newcastle (W9, D2), keeping nine clean sheets in their last ten meetings with the Jets.
– The Sky Blues have kept a clean sheet in five consecutive games
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