Sydney punish hapless Knights

Sydney FC got its title defence back on track with its biggest ever victory at Aussie Stadium, a 4-0 thrashing of the New Zealand Knights.

The win was set-up by two goals from Sasho Petrovski who was in sensational touch with fellow striker David Zdrilic also finding the back of the net before Socceroo David Carney scored in his return from injury.

The dominated possession in the early stages but was unable to break through a very defensive New Zealand team, which unashamedly set out to stifle the Sydney FC game with a defensive approach to the game.

The first chances fell to Petrovski and Alex Brosque who were made to shoot from distance, but both were unable to challenge Knights ‘keeper Mark Paston.

As the half worn on, the game opened up with Brosque, Petrovski, Zdrilic and Ufuk Talay finding space in attack.

Finally the break through came for Sydney after 37 minutes when Petrovski netted following good interplay with Zdrilic.

A chip to the edge of the box by Alvin Ceccoli fell to Zdrilic who cushioned the ball delicately into the path of Petrovski and the striker beat two defenders and placed his left foot volley pass the advancing Paston to give Sydney a 1-0 half-time lead.

Sydney was not finished there and took a positive attitude into the second half and was awarded just seven minutes after the break.

A lovely through ball by Talay found Zdrilic in space and he cut the ball back for Brosque who in turn found Petrovski and his first time effort from 25m flew straight past Paston and into the bottom of the net to give Sydney a two goal buffer.

It didn’t stop there and it was Zdrilic who finally got in on the act after having a hand in the first two for Sydney. A long throw-in down the sideline from Ceccoli found Zdrilic and the hard-working striker delightfully skipped past two defenders and buried his shot past Paston to make it 3-0 after 65 minutes.

The drubbing was final with two minutes remaining when Carney, in his first match back from a shoulder injury, completed the rout.

Another penetrating through ball by Talay split the Knights’ defence wide open which allowed Carney to squeeze through, beat the advancing Paston and slot the ball into the top corner and give Sydney a 4-0 win.

Carney’s return and goal was a good indication of what lies ahead for Sydney FC with the exciting midfielder pushing for a starting berth next weekend, as will Mark Milligan (who sat in the bench), Steve Corica and Terry McFlynn.

Sydney FC’s next match is against Adelaide United at Aussie Stadium next Sunday November 19.

Team Line-Ups

Sydney FC:
Clint Bolton (gk), Iain Fyfe, Alvin Ceccoli, Mark Rudan, Ufuk Talay, Robbie Middleby, Ruben Zadkovich, David Zdrilic (Jeremy Brockie 81’), Sasho Petrovski (David Carney 75’), Alex Brosque, Nikolai Topor-Stanley. Subs not used: Mark Milligan, Justin Pasfield (gk). Yellow Cards: Ufuk Talay 28’, Jeremy Brockie 86’.

New Zealand Knights:
Mark Paston (gk), Darren Bazeley (Michael White 74’), Gregory Duruz, Che Bunce, Neil Emblen (Fernando 45’), Scott Gemill, Jonti Richter, Malik Buari, Noah Hickey, Sime Kovacevic, Dustin Wells. Subs not used: Adam Casey, Michael Turnball. Yellow Cards: Sime Kovacevic 49’, Gregory Duruz 68’, Malik Buari 78’.

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