Sydney claims second spot

Sydney FC clinched second spot and a home semi-final with a 2-1 win away to the Wellington Phoenix in the final round of the Hyundai A-League season.

Bernie Ibini’s strike and a Shane Smeltz penalty gave the Sky Blues the lead at half time and although Michael Boxall pegged them back early in the second half, Wellington were unable to score an equalizer.

Heading into the game, the hosts needed the win to secure second place, which would grant them a bye in the first week of the finals and a home semi-final.

On the other hand, Sydney required just a point, although a big win could see them win the premiership if Melbourne Victory lost heavily later that day to Central Coast.

10 minutes in, Wellington thought they had a dream start when Michael McGlinchey was upended by Ibini in the box. Referee Strebre Delovski had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, but Roly Bonevacia dragged the penalty wide of Vedran Janjetovic’s right-hand post.

A minute and Wellington’s misery was compounded when Sydney countered through Ibini, who rode Boxall’s challenge on the wing and stormed into the box before rifling past Phoenix goalkeeper Lewis Italiano.

Following the goal, Sydney continued to look dangerous, as the pace of Ibini and Christian Naumoff on the left wing constantly worried the back four.  That win once again proved fruitful for Sydney when Naumoff was bought down inside the area by a clumsy challenge from Albert Riera. Although

Italiano guessed the right way from the resulting Smeltz penalty, though he was unable to keep it out.

Knowing only a win would help them, Wellington searched for an answer but were unable to craft any meaningful opportunities until the second half. The lively Nathan Burns turned his man from a short corner and picked out the arriving Boxall. The defender made no mistake from close range, and it was game on.

The goal breathed new life into the home side, as they started to play in Sydney’s half in search of a second. However, despite their forays forward, they were unable to create any goal-scoring opportunities. Sydney’s back four stood firm and their midfield protected them well, clogging up the space for the Phoenix and denying them a sight on goal.

Burns had the best chance for Wellington, when he worked his way inside the box and elected to try and chip Janjetovic, forcing the custodian to backpedal and acrobatically tip the shot over the bar.

Sydney had its chances too, none better than when Jacques Faty won the ball in defence and released Alex Brosque. The striker found himself one-on-one with Italiano, but the ‘keeper stood tall and parried his shot away.

With the clock winding down, Wellington committed more forward, desperately seeking a second, but were unable to test Janjetovic. Substitute Roy Krishna had the best chance when he was played in by Bonevacia, only for the Faty to use his strength and outmuscle him as the Fijian shot.

Despite their possession in the final minutes, the home side were unable to breach Sydney’s defence. They were denied them any space to mount a serious attack, as the Sky Blues comfortably dealt with any attacks.

When the full-time whistle blew, Sydney were deserved winners, earning 2nd place in the league and a break before a home semi-final against the winner of Adelaide United and Wellington next week.


Wellington Phoenix: 20. Lewis Italiano (GK), 2. Manny Muscat, 4. Roly Bonevacia, 5. Michael Boxall, 9. Nathan Burns (21. Roy Krishna), 10. Michael McGlinchey, 13. Albert Riera, 16. Louis Fenton (8. Alex Rodriguez), 17. Vince Lia (7. Kenny Cunningham), 18. Ben Sigmund,  22. Andrew Durante (C).

Unused substitutes: 30. Oliver Sail (GK), 19. Tom Doyle.


Sydney FC: 20. Vedran Janjetovic (GK), 5. Matt Jurman, 6. Nikola Petkovic, 8. Milos Djimitrijevic, 9. Shane Smeltz, 11. Bernie Ibini, 13. Christopher Naumoff (34. Robert Stambolziev), 14. Alex Brosque (C) (25. Aaron Calver), 23. Rhyan  Grant, 26. Jacques Faty, 27. Mickael Tavares.

Unused substitutes: 1. Ivan Necevski (GK), 16. Alex Gersbach, 29. George Blackwood.