Ibini stunner helps Sydney pile more misery on Adelaide

A late own goal from Amber Brooks and Princess Ibini’s stunning strike saw Sydney FC edge Adelaide United 2-0 and return to the winners circle.

The two teams were locked for over 76 minutes until a cross from Sydney striker Remy Siemsen took an unfortunate deflection off the American defender and left Reds’ goalkeeper Sarah Willacy with no chance.

Ibini then set seal on Sydney’s fifth win of the season with a sensational long-range hit on the cusp of second half stoppage time.

That consigned Ivan Karlovic’s Adelaide to their sixth straight defeat, and one that will sting particularly painfully for the luckless Reds, who performed very impressively at the home of the reigning Champions.

It is the sixth time Karlovic’s side have been defeated by a one-goal margin this season, and they remain 10 points off fourth-placed Brisbane Roar.

Sydney climb to third and bounce back from their crushing 5-0 defeat to Western Sydney Wanderers last time out, a defeat that saw the Sky Blues hand over cross-city bragging rights for only the second time in the fixture’s history.

Adelaide caught the Sky Blues on the back foot in the first half and should’ve gone ahead when Mallory Weber found Lais Araujo in the box, but having made space for a clear sight on goal, the Brazilian could only fire straight at Aubrey Bledsoe.

Weber saw penalty appeals waved away and Dylan Holmes flashed an effort narrowly wide with a rasping effort from outside the box shortly before the interval.

Sydney ramped up the pressure in the second and Adelaide dodged a bullet when neither Chloe Logarzo or Veronica Latsko could apply a touch on Sofia Huerta’s wicked ball across the face of goal.

Willacy then produced an outstanding acrobatic save to deny former Red, Latsko, and showed great courage to dive at the feet of Amy Sayer as the young Australian midfielder appeared destined to tuck home.

Sydney number one Bledsoe also needed to be in top form, producing a huge save to deny Weber one-on-one to keep the contest evenly poised.

The breakthrough eventually arrived when Siemsen’s cross took a wicked deflection of Brooks and crept past Willacy at the near post.

Weber nearly equalised after stealing a march on Natalie Tobin but only found Bledsoe, before Ibini thrashed an unstoppable effort into the net to compound Adelaide’s misery.

Key moments

Araujo cannot convert as Adelaide prove tricky customers

Sydney were fortunate to escape with a 1-0 win when the two sides last met and although the visitors did not carve the Sky Blues open as they did in that Round 2 clash, Adelaide created the better opportunities during a tight first half in Kogarah.

This early chance for Lais Araujo on 12 minutes was one Ivan Karlovic’s side would lament. The all-energy Mallory Weber found the Brazilian after a mazy dribble toward goal, and although the Brazilian engineered space for a clean sight on goal she could only sting the palms of Sydney ‘keeper Aubrey Bledsoe.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6118633913001

Own goal gives Sydney lead

Adelaide have endured torrid luck this season and their misfortune plunged to new depths when Siemsen’s cross took a deflection of the outstanding Brooks and left Willacy wrong-footed.

It was a cruel blow for Karlovic’s side, particularly as the Reds had only moments earlier spurned a huge chance to take the lead themselves via Weber.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6118645081001

An outrageous strike from Ibini

If Sydney had taken the lead in fortunate circumstances there was no element of luck about this from Princess Ibini.

The forward was benched in place of Latsko for the visit of Adelaide and it seemed Ibini had a point to prove when she replaced the American midway through the second half.

And there could be no clearer message sent after this goal of the season contender.

https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6118645891001