Sydney FC stretch unbeaten run to 19 games as Ninkovic runs hot

Sydney FC stretched their unbeaten run to 19 games by disposing of Wellington Phoenix 3-1 last night

Sydney FC’s Milos Ninkovic celebrates with Alex Brosque, left, after scoring against Wellington.

Graham Arnold might be sick of hearing about it but there is no escaping the spotlight that will continue to shine on Sydney FC as they roll on relentlessly towards a place the A-League record books.

The Sky Blues stretched their unbeaten run to 19 games by disposing of Wellington Phoenix 3-1 in front of a disappointing crowd of just 8380 at Allianz Stadium last night.

In the process, they recorded their 14th win of the season, taking their points tally to 47 and their lead over nearest rivals Melbourne Victory to 12 points.

With eight games left, Sydney FC have one hand on the Premiers Plate and few will argue they don’t deserve it after their extraordinary streak.

Led by the talented Milos Ninkovic, Sydney were great value for the three points against a Wellington side that never gave up the fight but were nonetheless several classes below their opponents.

Ninkovic was superb, scoring his seventh goal of the season and having a hand in the other two, from Rhyan Grant (third minute) and Brazilian striker Bobo (22nd).

Sydney led 2-1 at halftime but it is fair to say the margin should have been far greater as the home side dominated the first 45 minutes with some of the best football they have played all season.

Despite parts of the pitch resembling a cow paddock, especially in the middle and down the flanks, the Sky Blues were intent on trying to play a controlled, fast-paced passing game. And they did it very well, putting Phoenix under intense pressure in the opening minutes.

Arnold could not hide his delight with his team’s performance.

“That was fantastic, the first half was outstanding and the second goal we scored was like a training drill. It was executed perfectly,” Arnold said.

“The only thing is that Wellington Phoenix were dangerous on the break. We fixed it up at halftime and that’s pretty much all I had to say to the boys because the first half was wonderful.

“On any other night we could have had five or six goals.”

The incredible part about Sydney’s performance was the high level of football they played on a pitch that was not conducive to good football.

“That we managed to play the sort of football we did on a pitch like that is testament to the boys. We won’t use the pitch as an excuse,” he added.

It took just three minutes to break the deadlock, with Grant the unlikely scorer after some outstanding lead-up work from Alex Brosque and Ninkovic that saw Brosque work his way into the box before delivering a pinpoint cross for Grant to charge in and head the ball inside the left post.

Wellington could hardly string anything together, turning the ball over and rarely getting anywhere near Sydney’s goal.

It was no surprise when the Sky Blues extended their lead on 22 minutes, again after some quality lead-up work.

Ninkovic was again involved. He was in possession but was forced back to near Sydney FC’s penalty area before he found Jordy Buijs with a pass on the right flank. The Dutchman pushed his way forward before finding Filip Holosko, who instantly flicked the ball into the path of Brosque.

Brosque then played the ball to Bobo, who fed Grant on the right. The rightback then sent in a lovely cross for Bobo who headed home to make it 2-0.

The visitors pulled one back in the 32nd minute when Gui Finkler’s corner from the left found Rodriguez who somehow managed to backheel the ball into the net from about 6m.

Sydney restored their two-goal cushion on 54 minutes after a terrible blunder from the Phoenix defence near their penalty box saw Brillante feed Ninkovic wide on the right.

The Serbian turned a defender then calmly sidefooted the ball inside the right post.