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Sydney FC once again shared the spoils with Wellington Phoneix, this time the match ending in a 1-1 draw in a match that Sydney should’ve won.
REPORT: PHOENIX STEAL LATE DRAW
The Sky Blues were by far the better team, though Wellington sprung to life in the dying stages of the match, and clawed their way back into the contest through a deserved penalty.
Brendon O’Neill struck the crossbar in the first half with a well-taken freekick, and Andrew Hoole should’ve scored from the penalty spot, but had his effort saved by Glen Moss.
When the match looked destined for a 0-0 draw, Filip Holosko made a good run down the right, beating one player then firing home from just inside the box.
However this lead was short lived as Jacques Faty needlessly committed a foul on Tom Doyle during a set piece, and Roy Krishna stepped up to the penalty spot to draw the Nix level.
Graham Arnold will be disappointed in his side’s inability to finish out the game, while Ernie Merrick would be delighted with a point his side didn’t deserve.
Final Score: Wellington Phoenix 1-1 Sydney FC
Sydney FC travel to New Zealand to take on the Wellington Phoenix in a must-win game for the Sky Blues. Join The Roar from 5pm (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
Sydney FC made a strong start to the season, and would be sitting much higher than their current fifth spot if not for a recent slump in form.
They’ve got the players to do well, and have dominated almost every game, yet they are midway down the table.
This slump is due to bad luck and poor finishing. Graham Arnold has solidified his defence but was always going to struggle to replace Marc Janko. While Filip Holosko and Alex Brosque are capable strikers, neither has hit peak goal-scoring form this season.
Brosque was unlucky to pick up an injury a few weeks back, and missed Sydney’s loss to Adelaide last week.
With Alex Gersbach serving his one-match suspension for a red-card offence, Arnold can bring in either Jacques Faty or Zac Anderson. Andrew Hoole is also capable in the right back position.
Brendan O’Neill could also return to the starting XI following a series of less-than-impressive displays from Arnold’s men. O’Neill started the season as a regular, though has since been dropped.
Wellington are in a similar boat to Sydney FC: a strong side playing a dominant style of football, yet they have not achieved a steady string of results.
With key striker Nathan Burns gone (similar to Sydney’s Janko), for all their possession and creativity, Wellington aren’t winning the bigger matches where it counts.
Tonight, a win would see Wellington leapfrog Sydney into fifth, and leave the Sky Blues in a slump heading into the busy Christmas period.
Prediction
Sydney FC to win this one 3-2.
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