The race for the final position in the Hyundai A-League’s top six appears set to go down to the wire after Sydney FC’s convincing 2-0 win over Perth Glory on Saturday night.
Despite some steamy conditions in Perth, where the imminent arrival of Cyclone Bianca created some intense heat and humidity, the Sky Blues got the job done and in doing so gave themselves a real crack at making the finals and defending their championship from last season.
Currently there are four teams vying for sixth position in Melbourne Heart (sixth, 33 points, 28 games), Wellington Phoenix (seventh, 32 points, 26 games), Newcastle Jets (eighth, 31 points, 25 games) and Sydney (ninth, 29 points, 27 games).
Of all those sides, the Sky Blues appear in the best form as they have done away with their early season injury troubles, sending out a consistent team for the last five matches, where they have won three and drawn two.
They may only have three games remaining, compared to Newcastle’s five and Wellington’s four, but the Jets are struggling badly with injuries at present, while two of the games for the notoriously travel-shy Phoenix are on the road.
Adding to the intrigue, Sydney play their major rivals Newcastle (away), Wellington (home) and Melbourne Heart (away) in their last three games, potentially setting up a grand stand finish to the season as the Sky Blues come home with a particularly wet sail.
“We know our situation,” said coach Vitezslav Lavicka.
“It is not easy in this moment for us, but mathematically we still we have a chance to reach finals.”
“So we still have a motivation, we know that we have tough games away but if we keep this effort, this unity and hard work I think still there’s a chance.”
“We had many problems early season and before Christmas,” he added.
“But early new year, we are a bit settled, we did good results. Of course every good result brings us more confidence so now we just keep on track and try to reach as best as we can.”
Although he’s endured a frustrating term with injuries since crossing from Crystal Palace, Nick Carle has been a big part of Sydney’s revival, the marquee man showing off a whole bag of tricks as he opened the scoring in just his 14th game for the club.
Carle had already nodded over the bar in the sixth minute but his ninth minute goal – his first for the club – was breathtaking as he combined with fellow goalscorer Bruno Cazarine for a double one-two that ended with Cazarine volleying the ball into the air for Carle to nod home a diving header that looped over Tando Velaphi into the net.
“It was nice play,” declared a thrilled Lavicka.
“Easy play one-two with Bruno and brilliant finish.”
“Of course we are happy that Nicky’s back, because he had trouble early season. It was a long time to (get him) back, but he did a good performance and he is able to create that situation like he did and we scored the first one, the first goal.”
