Great escape: Rhyan Grant’s genius saves Sydney FC against Wellington
Sydney FC made it two from two at Leichhardt Oval after Rhyan Grant’s incredible match-winner crushed a brave Phoenix side - but cross-town rival Western Sydney will be full of confidence heading into the derby.
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If Western Sydney were watching Sydney FC last night they’ll be rubbing their hands in anticipation.
For while the defending champions ultimately ran out 2-1 winners over Wellington, they were forced to weather a trans-Tasman storm wild enough to suggest this weekend’s looming derby could go either way.
Still, the Sky Blues made it two from two for the campaign at Leichhardt Oval – and that was before the video assistant referee caught Liberato Cacace ramming his studs into substitute Anthony Caceres’ shin and the talented teenager was dismissed in the dying minutes.
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By that point Rhyan Grant had already deposited the most delicate of side-footed volleys to separate the sides, after his assister Brandon O’Neill’s early opener was negated by Ulises Davila’s equaliser.
“We had 23 shots each,” Corica said.
“A little bit disappointed that with the amount of chances we created we didn’t score more goals, and not so happy that they created quite a few chances.
“In the second half especially they had the momentum going for them and we had to hang in there.
“First half we dominated with the ball and we need to take chances when they come. If we did that it would have made the game a lot easier.
“A little bit of work to do defensively but pleased to pick up three points.”
GRANT GETS LEGEND STATUS
Fresh from his three Socceroos assists and man-of-the-match display against Chinese Taipei, the man and his infamous mullet made the cut for The Cove’s ‘Legends of Sydney’ tifo alongside Steve Corica, Terry McFlynn and Alex Brosque. Sydney’s longest-serving player capitalised on the occasion with the finest of match-winning volleys, delivered in tandem with the finest of mid-air hair flicks.
SET PIECES HAUNT SPECIALIST TALAY
Set pieces were Ufuk Talay’s jurisdiction as Sky Blues assistant coach, his dead-ball training playing a key role in his old club’s title win last season. That expertise came back to bite him big time when both Sydney’s goals came from, you guessed it, set pieces. The hosts stole ahead in the 17th minute when the Nix failed to clear a Sydney corner and O’Neill tucked away a deflected strike. Then, with 13 minutes remaining, O’Neill whipped in a free-kick caught in the air by the inside of Grant’s boot and looped into the far corner.
NIX NOT DEAD IN THE WATER
For 69 minutes they couldn’t buy an equaliser through either their own profligacy, Andrew Redmayne’s reflexes or sheer bad luck, vis-à-vis David Ball’s nick of the inside of the post. Then, for the second week running, a Wellington penalty appeal was denied when Cacace went down in the box. But, 21 minutes from time, an attack finally bore fruit. Jaushua Sotirio cut back for Davila and the Mexican skipped past Luke Brattan to deposit neatly into the corner.
SYDNEY DERBY REIGNITED
It’s been nearly three years since Western Sydney beat their cross-town rivals but Bankwest Stadium could yet play host to a reverse in fortunes based on round two. Where the Wanderers scored two clinical goals to beat Melbourne Victory away on Friday, Sydney’s star-studded attack forewent chance after chance and were pushed to brink to more than once.
LEICHHARDT THE PERFECT HOME GROUND
A packed Wayne Pearce Hill basked in the late-afternoon sun, The Cove was in full flight and families took advantage of the 6pm kick-off. The truth is A-League games look miles better at boutique stadiums, and the 12,536 at the Inner West venue was an ideal example.