Wellington Phoenix vs Sydney FC: Le Fondre delivers 1-0 win

Match result:

Sydney FC have knocked off Wellington Phoenix 1-0 at Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney.

It was quite an even start with a good amount of chances for both sides and also involving a yellow card for Wellington defender Andrew Durante.

The next 15 minutes or so were pretty similar with more chances, although Sydney started to put the foot down in search of a goal.

The big news was the injury to Phoenix defender Dylan Fox who was subbed off in the 32nd minute and is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks.

In the seconnd half, Sydney dominated again and got their goal in the 65th minute by a bolting penalty from golden boot leader Adam Le Fondre.

Wellington pressed and pressed late in the game but couldn’t get the equaliser. Sydney FC won 1-0, temporarily moving them into second.

Final score
Wellington Phoenix 0
Sydney FC 1

Match preview:

The Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC will meet at Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney for what is a crucial game for both sides. Join The Roar for live scores and blog from 5:35pm (AEDT).

The Phoenix are coming off a 1-1 draw with the Melbourne Victory, which was their highest ever non-finals attended game of over 20,000 at Eden Park.

They currently sit in sixth and are six points ahead of seventh-placed Newcastle. They’re behind on goal difference to fifth place Melbourne City.

On the other hand, Sydney also had a 1-1 draw last week playing bottom of the table Central Coast Mariners, in what was a possibly controversial match.

They sit in third being one point behind second place Melbourne Victory and six points ahead of fourth-placed Adelaide United.

Filip Kurto has been crazy in goal for the Phoenix this season, leading the competition in saves. It will be interesting to see if the likes of Adam Le Fondre and Reza can get past him.

Prediction
Both sides are set to feature in the finals and it should be a close one. I feel the Sky Blues will be too strong for the Nix and will win this in a nail biter.

Wellington Phoenix 1, Sydney FC 2

Catch The Roar’s live coverage from 5:35 PM (AEDT)

Where: Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
When: Saturday 23 February 2019, 5:35pm (AEDT)
TV: Foxtel
Betting: Wellington Phoenix $3.30, Draw $3.75, Sydney FC $2.00

Wellington Phoenix
Filip Kurto (GK), Mandi Sosa, Ryan Lowry, Dylan Fox, Cillian Sheridan, Nathan Burns, David Williams, Antony Golec, Liberato Cacace, Alex Rufer, Michal Kopzcynski, Louis Fenton, Sarpreet Singh, Oliver Sail (GK), Roy Krishna, Andrew Durante, Max Burgess, Steven Taylor

Sydney FC
Andrew Redmayne (GK), Aaron Calver, Ben Warland, Alex Wilkinson, Josh Brillante, Michael Zullo, Paulo Retre, Adam Le Fondre, Milos Ninkovic, Daniel De Silva, Brandon O’Neill, Alex Brosque (C), Reza Ghoochannejhad, Anthony Caceres, Alex Cisak (GK), Mitch Austin, Rhyan Grant, Luke Ivanovic