Sydney FC fire six past Victory in grand final statement

Sydney FC are heading to another A-League grand final after eviscerating a helpless Melbourne Victory in a ruthless warning to fellow finalist Perth Glory.

Rhyan Grant celebrates Siem de Jong’s goal. Picture: Brett Costello

By the end their disbelieving fans were chanting “We want seven”, and taking photos to remind themselves of the day Sydney FC humiliated their oldest rivals and strolled into the grand final.

Melbourne Victory were eviscerated at Jubilee Stadium, destroyed 6-1 in their semi-final by a rampaging Sky Blue side who set records for the biggest Big Blue win, their biggest finals victory and just as pleasingly, Victory’s worst loss in a final.

There were two goals for Adam Le Fondre, a superb strike for Alex Brosque and even a Victory own goal to drive home the misery for Kevin Muscat’s side.

Rhyan Grant celebrates Siem de Jong’s goal. Picture: Brett Costello

😎😎😎

A stunning strike from Alex Brosque. Didn't the @SydneyFC captain enjoy that!

🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL #ALeague #FeelTheFinals #BigBlue pic.twitter.com/dNR0dM3pY8

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) May 12, 2019

How Sydney rouse themselves for the grand final against Perth next Sunday is a question for another day, but the intensity with which they attacked this assignment was ferocious.

Though they were gifted the perfect start, goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas dropping a corner onto Aaron Calver’s leg for the opening goal in just the third minute, that was just the entree to quite a banquet.

Sydney would not, could not be beaten, besting Victory all over the park. Twice in the opening minutes the fragile frame of Siem De Jong had won 50:50 challenges, and Rhyan Grant left his mate Terry Antonis crumpled on the touchline with a tackle not so much late as on the wrong day. Not even friendships would get in Sydney’s way.

Veteran Alex Brosque turned back the clock for the Sky Blues. Picture: Brett Costello

It's five!@A1F1E9 nets his second and Jubilee is jubilant.

🎥 @FOXFOOTBALL, @10BoldAU #ALeague #BigBlue #FeelTheFinals pic.twitter.com/KA8GMXNRym

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) May 12, 2019

Brosque was a man possessed, determined apparently to sprint into retirement and beat his own best time along the way.

For 90 minutes he harried the Victory defence, leaving Georg Niedermeir in a heap holding his most treasured possessions after one tangle, and when his moment came there would be no denying him.

Sydney’s second goal was expansive in creation and lethal in execution, beginning with Milos Ninkovic’s perceptive ball out wide into acres of space for Rhyan Grant.

Siem de Jong was on fire for Sydney FC. Picture: AAP

The fullback’s low cross was met by De Jong but his attempted volley simply deflected the ball into Brosque’s path, ready for an unerring volley from 8m out.

It was a goal of huge significance, for Brosque’s record against Victory is pro rata easily his worst against any A-League side – just four in 33 games before this occasion.

Coming on 43 minutes his goal was exciting enough for the home support, but moments later the lead was extended again.

De Jong was involved again, driving in a cross from the right that Leigh Broxham steered past Thomas with a misplaced header. Sydney’s celebrations felt almost like intruding on the private grief of Victory’s back four, and an air of disbelief gripped Jubilee Stadium.

Adam Le Fondre celebrates scoring a penalty. Picture: Getty

In the cold light of day Kevin Muscat might wonder the wisdom of his selections, with Elvis Kamsoba at the heart of his midfield. So anonymous was he, it felt like Elvis had left the building.

Steve Corica, on the other hand, could delight in the execution of a perfect plan. The added gloss came just past the hour, when Brosque stole the ball and fed Le Fondre to run into the box and draw a schoolboy foul from Niedermeir. Le Fondre himself converted the penalty.

There were still 25 minutes to play when Ninkovic slipped in Le Fondre for a deft finish past Thomas for the fifth, and the corrosiveness of Muscat’s glare was threatening to sink the ships in the distance at Botany harbour.

But more was to come, when Ninkovic volleyed in at the far post to make it six, and Ola Toivonen’s late header to get one goal back was irrelevant.