Sydney FC have added another win to their ledger, with a late winner from Milos Ninkovic giving them a 1-0 victory over Wellington Phoenix.
» Click here to read our full match report
Final score
Wellington Phoenix 0
Sydney FC 1
It’s first versus last as the Wellington Phoenix welcome an in-form Sydney FC outfit to Westpac Stadium. Join The Roar from 5:00PM (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
At the beginning of week three of the A-League, Wellington and Sydney FC find themselves with remarkably different fortunes. The former are dwelling in bottom spot on the ladder with no points on the board, owing to back-to-back defeats to Melbourne City and Perth Glory.
Their opponents, who make the trek across the ditch from Sydney for this clash, are in rampant form following comprehensive 4-0 victories over rivals Western Sydney Wanderers and the Central Coast Mariners – not to mention securing a maiden FFA Cup final berth on Wednesday evening.
While they secured a number of big-name signings in the offseason, Ernie Merrick’s men have yet to hit their straps in the 2016/17 campaign. Italian defender Marco Rossi, a former Italy under-21 representative, was joined at the ‘Nix by former Melbourne Victory attacking stars Kosta Barbarouses and Gui Finkler.
Despite this injection of attacking talent, the boys from New Zealand are yet to find the net in 180 minutes this season. Merrick will be hoping his troops can find some chemistry and go forward as they face the league’s highest-scoring and best defensive team.
Wellington haven’t registered a victory in six A-League matches, a worrying statistic made all the more worse considering they are the only side in the league not to find the net this season. Merrick’s men must turn it around soon or their gaffer could be out of a job in the not-too-distant future.
Sydney FC have looked untouchable in the opening two rounds of the season. They’ve netted eight times and have not seen their own net penetrated even once this campaign. Marquees Bobo and Filip Holosko have looked classy, to say the least, with the former scoring twice and assisting once in his first two appearances for the club.
Holosko, FC’s leading goalscorer from 2015/16, has hit his form early this season, already finding the net three times and assisting once in just two games. If this form is anything to go on, Sydney FC may just have found themselves one of the most potent forward lines in the A-League.
Interestingly enough, despite their dominance on the scoresheet, Sydney FC have actually garnered the least amount of possession of any side in the opening two rounds (41%).
In team news, the away side welcome back Bernie Ibini from injury whilst Riley Woodcock is also included. For the boys from Wellington, Ryan Lowry, Louis Fenton and Matthew Ridenton make the squad while Alex Rodriguez misses out.
Prediction
In recent history, these two sides have been fairly well matched. The ‘Nix emerged victorious in their last meeting, with a 3-1 scoreline the outcome as they bested Sydney away from home. However, over the last six clashes between the sides, the spoils are split with two wins apiece as well as 2 stalemates.
It looks as though Sydney certainly have the edge over the Kiwis this time around.
Wellington 0-3 Sydney FC.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
They scored 3 times, but were robbed. You called it "highway robbery". Keep up with us.
Needles
Guest
Lolz back atcha
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Good call Jake. SFC had nobody of note yet walked away with 3 points. Nux with 60% possession but couldn't 't score. Have not scored yet in 3 games. Merrick with a ton of headaches. Krishna was very good value.
hog
Guest
C'mon Pheonix, bloody hell can't even hang on for a draw at home
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining for this clash. Be sure to stay on The Roar as the A-League matchweek continues with Newcastle Jets taking on the Western Sydney Wanderers. I hope you enjoyed my coverage and your Sunday!
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Fullltime: Wellington Phoenix - 0 Sydney FC - 1 Well, it was the late late show for Sydney FC as they stole the victory at the death at Westpac Stadium. The Phoenix dominated the opening half but couldn't quite break the deadlock. They can consider themselves unlucky though as Roy Krishna had a goal wrongly chalked off for offside whilst Kosta Barbarouses was in for a one on one before the a questionable decision saw the flag raised on him as well. Sydney pushed hard despite a lack of possession and put together a barrage of chance in the late stages of the match. A draw was probably a fairer result but substitute Matt Simon had other ideas, controlling a header down for Ninkovic to slam home from no more than two metres. So, Wellington remain without a point or a goal in the 2016/17 A-League whilst Sydney FC remain atop the table, yet to concede and with 9 goals under their belts despite quiet games from marquees such as Bobo and Holosko. Man of the match honours for mine go to Roy Krishna, he was a thorn in the side of the Sydney defence all day and looked considerably more dangerous than anyone else. Wellington Phoenix - 0 Sydney FC - 1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+3' A final chance falls for Ridenton but he can't restore parity for the home side with his header. The final whistle sounds as Ninkovic's late goal hands Sydney FC a lucky escape. The Sky Blues take three points home to Moore Park as Ernie Merrick's boys remain goalless and pointless. FULLTIME: Wellington Phoenix - 0 Sydney FC - 1
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Highway robbery from SFC.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+2' Well, just as you thought this game was over. Up pop Sydney once again. They probably don't deserve it but they've got it anyway! Not long to go now. 0-1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90+1' SYDNEY SCORE!! ITS MILOS NINKOVIC! Well, Matt Simon plays a big role there, floated in by Brillante onto the head of Simon who drops it down for the oncoming Ninkovic who passes the ball home. Surely, Sydney FC have won it now, nothing Moss could do about that one. Wellington - 0 Sydney - 1
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
A final change for Wellington now: OFF: Barbarouses ON: Ridenton
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
90' Its Carney with the corner kick. Delivers from the left, the header is won at the edge of the area but its straight into the lap of Glen Moss. Three minutes added time to be played here. 0-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
89' Tratt beats Simon to the header off a throwin high up the pitch for Sydney as the 'Nix clear. Will we see yet another late winner in the Hyundai A-League? Its looking less and less likely as we head towards injury time. Tratt is down with cramp as Sydney win a corner. 0-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
Yellow Card! Grant rounds McGlinchey who throws an arm out across the right back in a fairly cynical fashion. Clear yelllow card. 0-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
87' Freekick for Sydney. To be taken by Carney high on the left. Its swung in and the header won by a Sydney player landing the ball on the roof of the net. Its called back however, for a Wellington freekick in the process of jostling for position. 0-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
86' Zullo still walking gingerly as play resumes. 0-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
85' Zullo down now much to the bemusement of Krishna. He caught some studs on his foot in the process of clearing the ball there. Fans boo, not really called for in my opinion. 0-0
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Checked the replay and he was at worst level with the defender. Bad call.
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
84' And that's what Watson is there for. Playing that striking role that Gui Finkler didn't quite make his own. Corner now for Wellington, delivered by Barbarouses whose effort is a poor one, again cleared by the first defender. 0-0
Jake Rosengarten
Roar Guru
83' A long ball over the top is tipped through by Watson for Barbarouses who streaks through for a one on one with Vukovic. But the flag is up!! Wow, that was a tight call, hard to tell if it was the right one but wow what a chance that was. 0-0