A-League: Sky Blues look to bounce back

Adam le Fondre says his cracking goal against Perth Glory midweek meant little as the Sky Blues slumped to a 3-1 loss.

Sydney FC’s Adam le Fondre avoids the challenge of Perth’s Tomislav Mrcela. Picture: Getty Images.

It’s not often a goal scorer can be blase about a 25m thunderbolt that would make the highlights reel for any league in the world, especially one regarded as a player who does his best work in and around the six-yard box.

But Sydney FC striker Adam le Fondre’s cracking effort in the 3-1 loss to Perth Glory on Wednesday night was a case of “so what” because it meant nothing in the overall scheme of things as the Sky Blues suffered one of their worst defeats of the season.

What is more on the mind of the Englishman is that Sydney get back on track when they play Adelaide United at Jubilee Oval tomorrow as they look to stay in touch with Glory, who have opened up a six-point gap at the top of the table.

Another loss against the Reds would all but end their hopes of a third straight Premier’s Plate.

“It was probably one of my best goals, but there was no satisfaction because it really meant nothing,” le Fondre said yesterday.

“It was a nice goal to score, but I have always said I prefer to score tap-ins than one from 30 yards. It was pleasing to score to give us some hope, but ultimately the result did not go our way.”

It didn’t matter, either, that his goal, which was his 11th of the season, kept him two clear of nearest rival Adam Taggart as they battle it out for the Golden Boot for the A-League’s leading goalscorer award.

“Maybe I need to start scoring more than one because Taggart is pretty close,” he said.

“But, I’m only jesting because I am only bothered about winning and doing my best for the team.

“The lads have been very good and providing me with the chances, so you can’t ask for any more.”

Still, at the rate he is going, le Fondre is well in line to break the A-League record for most goals scored in a season, held by the Brazilian, Bobo, who scored a phenomenal 27 last season playing for Sydney.

Le Fondre said he had not been surprised he has got off to such a great start since joining the Sky Blues at the start of the season.

“The pre-season was fantastic and the way the players, the club, the fans have accepted me it has made it very easy,” he said.

“The way the team plays has suited me and I envisaged doing well and I am happy with the way it has panned out.

“To score those goals has been fantastic.

“I have always backed myself, but playing wise as well, it has been one of my most productive seasons.

“I don’t think I have started 11 games on the run for years now.”

Le Fondre prefers to push the personal accolades aside and is looking only to help the side get back on track after the loss to Glory.

The fact the games are coming thick and fast helps.

“We have to push that game to one side now … we can’t dwell on it, we just have to concentrate on ­Adelaide, who are going very well,” he said.

“It’s hard to pinpoint what went wrong. Perth started brilliantly and had us on the back foot, so it was very hard to come back from three goals down.

“But we are a team that has shown we can bounce back quickly after a setback.”

Indeed, the Sky Blues suffered a 3-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix in a round seven game when they were also down 3-0 at half time. They then strung together four wins before Wednesday night’s loss.

Sydney face a tough contest against an Adelaide side that accounted for championship favourites Melbourne Victory 2-0 on Wednesday night.

They will have to keep tabs on United attacker Craig Goodwin, who is in terrific form.

Goodwin, who was unlucky to miss out on selection to the Socceroos squad for the Asian Cup, was on the scoresheet against the Victorians and has scored five this season.

The two sides drew 1-1 in the opening round of the season on October 19, but it was Goodwin who almost single-handedly helped the Reds beat the Sky Blues 2-1 in the FFA Cup final on October 30 in Adelaide when he scored a brace, including a spectacular free kick.