A Marc Janko brace has kept up Sydney FC’s fine start to the A-League season, sealing a 2-1 win over Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
From the outset, both teams showed their intent to attack but Sydney boasted the edge with Bernie Ibini and Janko up front.
Janko’s first was a classic back-post header from Ibini’s cross after 10 minutes, with his second coming courtesy of a shocking Rob Wielaert error.
The Dutch centre-back gave Janko a perfect through-ball with seven minutes remaining, Janko making no mistake from the one-on-one chance.
Erik Paartalu’s late header set up more late drama for City but where Central Coast stole home with two late goals to draw 2-2 last week, City fell short.
With Ibini showing his best form in a sky blue shirt, Graham Arnold’s side exploited Melbourne City’s high defensive line time and again.
The first goal was a sucker punch – City’s obvious weakness exploited by a ruthless Sydney side.
Despite the early setback, City remained committed to their high defensive line and and attacking outlook.
Coach John van ‘t Schip’s attacking plans nearly brought reward just a minute later.
Damien Duff had a penalty claim waved away when he was brought down by Vedran Janjetovic as the pair jostled for a ball.
But if City were unlucky not to have their spot kick, FC would lament wasting a handful of top chances as they went down the race at half-time.
Ibini continued to threaten, while Janko’s decision to set up Alex Brosque rather than shoot himself was peculiar.
Two minutes later, a one-on-one expertly fashioned by Terry Antonis for Ali Abbas was well saved by Andrew Redmayne.
City burst out of the blocks in the second half, controlling possession
Janko did his bit at the other end, clearing off the line from David Williams on 48 minutes when Janjetovic flapped at a cross.
With City’s surge at an end, Ibini’s sweeping pass nearly made another goal for Janko on 68 minutes, requiring a last-ditch intervention from Patrick Kisnorbo.
Ibini continued to torment Ramsay, but it was Wielaert who provided the knock-out blow to the consternation of van ‘t Schip.
Sydney’s defence was breached for the first time in more than 500 minutes when Paartalu headed in with three minutes left, but all the mad finish yielded was a red card to Milos Dimitrijevic for time-wasting.
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