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Jan 26, 2018   |  11:01AM AET

Victory downed by Sky Blues

Victory downed by Sky Blues

Melbourne Victory was edged 3-1 by Sydney FC in their Australia Day blockbuster at AAMI Park on Friday.

Summary

Besart Berisha opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the second half in wet conditions in Melbourne.

But the Sky Blues responded through Bobo, whose header and spot-kick helped Sydney to its win before David Carney sealed the result after Jason Geria was sent off for Victory.

Victory made a strong start as Jai Ingham and Berisha almost finished chances in the opening five minutes.

Soon after, Berisha had another opportunity, firing just wide from inside the area as the host continued to dominate the opening stages.

Milos Ninkovic steered an effort over the bar for Sydney, which grew into the encounter.

However, Victory had another great chance in the 25th minute, Ingham’s deflected cross going just wide after a fine pass from the impressive Kosta Barbarouses.

The returning Lawrence Thomas made a great save to keep Victory level seven minutes before the break, diving to his right to keep out a stinging Adrian Mierzejewski strike, and the shot-stopper again denied the Pole prior to the interval.

Victory started the second half well, Berisha firing straight at Andrew Redmayne 40 seconds after the break.

The host would go 1-0 up in the 58th minute through Berisha.

A James Troisi pass over the top released Ingham, who was brought down from behind by Josh Brillante.

Berisha stepped up to take the penalty, sending Redmayne the wrong way from the spot.

But Sydney responded immediately, Bobo heading in a Luke Wilkshire cross from the right.

The visitor took the lead from the spot as Bobo struck after Geria was ruled to have brought the Brazilian down in the area, picking up his second yellow card.

Carney, who came off the bench, sealed Sydney’s win with a finish in a one-on-one with Thomas.

Player in focus

Key moment

What they said – Troisi

on the game…
“Extremely disappointing. We were on the front foot, obviously scored, had some opportunities and to let a goal like that, if you make mistakes or give them space like that, they’re going to punish you. It’s extremely disappointing, the result isn’t a reflection of the game, so it’s disappointing.”

Result

Hyundai A-League 2017/18 Round 18
Melbourne Victory 1
(Besart Berisha 58′ pen)
Sydney FC 3 (Bobo 60’/78′ pen, David Carney 84′)

Melbourne Victory: Thomas (gk), Geria, Broxham, Williams, Deng (Donachie 68′), Valeri (c) (Antonis 82′), Milligan, Troisi, Barbarouses, Berisha, Ingham (Theoharous 73′)
Sydney FC: Redmayne (gk), Wilkshire, Buijs, Wilkinson, Zullo, Brillante, O’Neill (Retre 89′), Brosque (c) (Carney 75′), Mierzejewski, Bobo, Ninkovic (Lokolingoy 90+2′)

Yellow cards: Williams 28′, Mierzejewski 33′, Geria 40’/77′, Wilkshire 49′, Brillante 57′, Ninkovic 67′, O’Neill 71′
Red cards: Geria 77′
Attendance: 21,037
Venue: AAMI Park

Next up

Victory makes the trip to Newcastle in Round 19, facing the Jets on Saturday, February 3.