Sydney FC book A-League finals berth with thrilling derby win over Wanderers
Two stoppage-time goals were scored in a thrilling end to Saturday night’s Sydney derby at Allianz Stadium.
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Sydney FC has secured its A-League finals berth, but the Wanderers’ hold on a top-six spot remains vulnerable after a gut-wrenching 2-1 loss to the Sky Blues in Saturday night’s derby.
Having scored an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage-time through substitute Zac Sapsford, the Wanderers were left shattered when Sky Blues replacement Jaiden Kucharski found the back of the net less than three minutes later to secure his side a memorable win at Allianz Stadium.
Having earlier led through Brazilian striker Fabio Gomes’ 72nd-minute goal, the Sky Blues’ victory moved them to 38 points and fourth spot on the A-League ladder.
“It’s amazing,” Kucharski told Network 10.
“They had their chance to equalise and then we got one really late at the death, so it all comes down to chances and we took one.”
And while Sky Blues have booked themselves a spot in next month’s finals series, the Wanderers – who have now suffered back-to-back losses – still have work to do.
Should seventh-placed Melbourne City beat Perth Glory on Sunday, they will reduce the margin between them and the Wanderers to just one point ahead of next Saturday’s meeting between Western Sydney and City at CommBank Stadium.
“It just hurts because basically it was the last kick of the game,” Sapsford said.
“That’s just how the cookie crumbles sometimes.”
What a waste
Both teams had first half-chances, with Gomes failing to hit the target when he seemed certain to score in the 16th minute.
Wanderers marksman Marcus Antonsson had an even better chance less than 10 minutes later when he was fed the ball on a platter by winger Dylan Pierias.
However, perhaps with his confidence down after missing a penalty in his side’s 2-1 last-start loss to Brisbane Roar, the Swedish forward hit the post with a close-range shot that lacked conviction.
Antonsson had another opportunity soon after, but he blazed his shot over the crossbar after creating space for himself in the Sky Blues’ penalty area.
Sydney thought they had gone ahead just before half-time when Wanderers defender Tom Beadling turned the ball into his own net from a cross from Sky Blues right-back Rhyan Grant.
However, Grant was correctly ruled off-side in the build-up.
Borrello agony
Wanderers winger Brandon Borrello’s season could be over after being replaced in just the 21st minute with a hamstring injury.
Borrello was a shattered figure – not for the first time in a match against the Sky Blues this season – as he was consoled by Wanderers coach Marko Rudan after limping off.
When the teams met in Allianz Stadium in November, the Socceroos attacker lasted just 17 minutes after breaking his foot.
Borrello not only missed 10 Wanderers games, but was also ruled out of Australia’s Asian Cup campaign.
Depending on the severity of his latest injury, he now might also be unavailable for the Socceroos’ June World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.
Originally published as Sydney FC book A-League finals berth with thrilling derby win over Wanderers
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