Western Sydney coach Marko Rudan accused Sydney FC boss Steve Corica of provoking Milos Ninkovic to the extent that the Wanderers midfielder sought out his former manager at the end of an explosive derby.
Sydney claimed a 2-1 win at CommBank Stadium on Saturday to set up a double-legged A-League Men semi-final against Melbourne City and knock their bitter rivals out of the finals in the process.
It was the first finals encounter between the two clubs in the competition’s history.
On the field it was a nervy affair, and the tension spilled into the aftermath as Ninkovic made a beeline for the Sydney dressing rooms.
Sydney say Ninkovic, who was quickly frogmarched out of their inner sanctum in view of the media, had gone to confront Corica.
The Serb played for the Sky Blues for seven years before switching to the Wanderers after a fallout over his status as a visa player.
Rudan, who did not refer to Corica by name, claimed the Sydney boss had laid the foundation for the post-game spat while aiming a barb at the veteran midfielder during Saturday’s game.
“Milos went in there to congratulate his old teammates, and their coach didn’t appreciate him being in there,” Rudan said.
“Something occurred between those two, which wasn’t pleasant, it was quite fiery.
“I haven’t seen Milos yet, I haven’t spoken to him about that.
“But I think it all started in the game where I think their coach said something not very nice on the sideline to Milos, I think that’s where it started.
“That’s football, these things kind of happen.”
Ninkovic, who continued to shout after being thrown out of the Sydney dressing rooms, had been involved in a running battle with former teammate Luke Brattan all evening.
“He’s just upset with losing the game,” Corica said.
“We have issues with him, obviously, but that’s between me and him.”
Ninkovic was booked in the second half before being substituted off by Rudan.
After his substitution his former roommate Adam Le Fondre scored the goal which knocked the Wanderers out of the final.
“I thought surely not. Ninko’s very calm and I had heard there was kerfuffle,” Le Fondre said.
“There is always niggle in a derby, you expect that sort of enemy, siege mentality from both teams.”
Sydney’s victory at CommBank Stadium came despite a boycott from their active supporter group, The Cove, and after the Wanderers had taken a first-half lead through a controversial Morgan Schneiderlin penalty.
Slovakian international Robert Mak pulled the visitors level in the 69th minute before Le Fondre escaped the attention of the Wanderers defence to grab a later winner off a corner.
Prior to Saturday Rudan’s side had lost just once after scoring first in the regular season, but the spirit shown by Sydney was lauded by Corica.
“Derbies are always special and going behind here (and coming back to win) shows great character and passion from the players,” Corica said.
“They knew how big that win was, I’m really proud of how we fought back into the game.
“There was only one team playing (in the second half).”
The Wanderers had the better of the chances in the first half, skipper Marcelo flashing a close-range header wide and Ninkovic forcing Andrew Redmayne into a fingertip save.
Calem Nieuwenhof helped get the breakthrough when he burst upfield in the 39th minute and attempted to send a low cross into the Sydney box.
Luke Brattan was able to block it with his foot but the ball cruelly bounced up and glanced Alex Wilkinson’s upper arm.
Referee Chris Beath pointed to the spot and after consultation with VAR the decision stood.
Redmayne brought out his Wiggles-inspired theatrics but Schneiderlin remained calm and slotted it past the Sydney No.1 to hand the home side a 1-0 leading heading into the break.
It was a complete contrast in the second half, the Wanderers like punch-drunk boxers hanging on for life.
Eventually their defensive wall crumbled with Mak capitalising on a sloppy Adama Traore clearance to draw the Sky Blues level.
The loss of defender Tomislav Mrcela forced the Wanderers into a reshuffle and even though they pushed forward, it was Le Fondre who broke the deadlock.
The shortest man on the field for the Sky Blues, Le Fondre fizzed a header beyond the reach of goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas to knock the Wanderers out.
“I’m disappointed for the players and for our fans,” Rudan said.
“We obviously wanted to go further, but it wasn’t to be.
“These games are about moments and it’s a moment Adama hasn’t done all season, you give them a sniff and they take it.
“We looked lethargic in the second half.”
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Corica's new assistant coaches will be Grant and Brattan. ALF was injured, Corica always plays him if fit.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Well said that man!!!
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Agree, Mak was a class act and he impressed in the interview as well.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
The point is, Ninkovic was in there shaking hands with old mates, as per the broadcast vision. It was the immaturity, and unprofessional conduct of Corica that incited the situation. He couldn't just be professional, let Ninkovic shake hands with old mates and let it be. All Corica had to do was walk out until the lads had caught up, but no he had to make an issue of it. The Gaffer should be setting the example. All Corica is doing is dragging the club down. I will be so pleased for Sydney if they strategically locate a size 9 as Corica is uncermoniously ushered out the door
JoshW
Roar Rookie
Grant only behaved like that because the 4-0 drubbing really hurt him.
338
Roar Rookie
I have an issue with anyone who had an issue with Milos. Like most I've watched and listened to him for years and he comes across as all class and professionalism. The fact he went into the SFC rooms to congratulate his former team mates (and the footage of them reacting warmly backs up this assessment). I think we know where the problem is. Well played to SFC, I thought they really dominated midfield and WSW were unable to get forward quickly and then SFC really stepped it up in the second half in attack too. Will be a really interesting contest between them and city, both on the park and the broader implications for the GF.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Mak, Burgess and Brattan were all excellent
Brendan
Roar Pro
Mak for sure. His goal was incredible. Pure class. He rolled the dice & took a chance.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Bratton enjoys stirring the pot, for sure. I think he wants to be an enforcer, but his temper foils him, resulting in dives & mock injury. As for Grant, his bad sportsmanship feels out of character. He’s usually a solid bloke, but the derby was an emotional game, & cracks in his armour appeared.
danwain
Roar Rookie
No, your point was that he is a mediocre footballer that liked couldn't back up his words with his actions, which is clearly wrong. No one really knows the entire story in regards to Ninkovic and Corica. Sure, Corica has carried on like an absolute so and so, but did Ninkovic really need to come out on every single podcast before the season started and slam Sydney? He lit the fire and now is upset he has been portrayed the way he has, boo hoo.
Garry
Roar Rookie
was there a MOTM? My vote was probably Mak.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
And that's my point. He would be a standout if he just kept his cake hole shut and played the game, but if he continues the way he is going the optics will not be kind and there is a price you will pay for that.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
well he needs to learn to shut it.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Luke Brattan was MOTM from what I saw. Long ago he was also a key part of Postecoglou's Roar success.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
What a great game of football! The play exhibited by Mak and Le Fondre just underlined their class. Wilkinson and his backline were effective, there was a good crowd and it really suggests the A-League is alive and well. But, this potential showpiece has been cheapened. I would suggest that it takes cheap individuals to have that effect. You could tell Rudan was hurting after the game, but his interview with Neve Owens was professional and honest. He and his players conducted themselves in a very sportsmanlike manner and so did the majority of the Sydney cohort. But not all. My nephew asked me why Luke Bratton is always yelling and saying something to either the ref or the opposition players. My response was that Mr Bratton is not the player you want to be. He doesn't know how to conduct himself like a sportsman. I told him that he's a mediocre footballer that wants to be something better but he's not. And I guess that statement can be supported with Bratton's prolific run of Socceroos appearances. Then there's Mr Grant. As we watched the game come to a conclusion, my old boy, a man that coached for almost 25 years and underlined day in, day out that sportsmanship is primary. It's obvious that Mr Grant was not coached by my father. Mr Grant's pathetic, and very grubby little effort in front of the Wanderers bench was less than sportsmanlike. Optics have such a contribution to perception, and in this instance, the optic suggested Mr Grant is an immature, cerebrally challenged struggler, and just like Mr Bratton will continue to be mediocre. I mean just look at the flood of overseas offers Mr Grant is receiving. And last but not least there's there's the King of ordinary, Mr Corica. You hear Alex Brosque, Andy Harper and other perceived Sydney FC shareholders say Bimbi this and Bimbi that. I would suggest you cannot change a leopard's spots. The post-match sprays, the tsunami of verbal sewerage that Corica has produced in the past cannot be undone. He's clearly shown his colours. I have watched and admired Ninkovic in the blue and the red and black. His class, his articulation, his sportmanship have been evident from the day that he walked into this league. For that little grub Corica to say that we have an issue with Ninkovic suggests volumes. The optics suggest that Mr Corica, unlike the greater football supporting popuation, suffers from a degree of cerebral deficiency. I ask you, would you put money on Ninkovic going to Sydney change room to stir trouble, or would you put money on him going there to shake hands with old mates, and he was confronted by the perceived the trio of societal detritus that I have just explained, for whom the optics do no favours. I dont know about the rest of the regulars here, but I am sick and tired of the dead weight that Mr Corica is becoming to this game. The sideline behaviour, the language, the verbal sewerage, it reeks of small man's syndrome, a poor sportsman and I would suggest that the sooner Sydney's owners get themselves a professional gaffer, and not some delusion bloke that is trying to be something he's not, the sooner Sydney and the game in general will benefit from his absence, and his disappearance into retirement anonymity. Kudos to ALF. He's proven that Corica was short sighted and unprofessional in not playing him for a considerable period.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The first half laid the foundation for the second, Sydney didnt press in the first half, they conserved their energy. Instead of trying to play through the Wanderers first ball they passed the ball around the back for a while before going forward. The big weakpoint I see in this WSW was at the top of the press , Borello presses well, but Ninkovic press was slow. so Borrello would press the defender onto the keeper then onto a defender , and then Ninkovic would be too slow to close down the next man and Sydney would escapre the press. Borrello was tired out in that first half The change in tactics in the second half was a result of being behind, and that Wanderers wasted energy pressing meant they were tired and failed to counterattack. The injury to Mrcela wasted a sub window so Rudan didnt put on anyone fresh early enough. In the end Rudan with his huge bench which was his advantage didnt use it.