Sydney FC’s winless run was extended to five games after a 2-0 defeat in the latest installment of the Sydney Derby at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
The Sky Blues looked listless and unmotivated from the opening whistle and things never really improved over the course of the 90 minutes.
Steve Corica will be asking plenty of questions of his side, as fans will surely begin to do the same for the manager, whose team selections have certainly raised eyebrows recently, if not all season.
Sydney’s attention now turns to the Asian Champions League, with Filipino side Kaya FC paying Netstrata Jubilee Stadium a visit on Tuesday evening.
Former SFC striker John Aloisi’s Western United then travel to Leichhardt Oval on Friday evening. It’s getting to the point where it’s take three points or say goodbye to finals in that clash.
First half key moments
Tomer Hemed gave the home side the lead with his 37th-minute penalty. The Israeli stepped up to the spot and hit the ball down the middle of Andrew Redmayne’s goal, with the Sydney keeper diving to his left.
James Donachie, who, frankly, does not look up to being one of our starting centre-backs, was responsible for giving away the penalty after bringing down Ramy Najjarine.
It was a soft one – there wasn’t much contact but probably just enough to justify the penalty decision.
Second half key moments
Donachie was at the centre of the key moment of the second stanza – and again, not in a positive way.
From a corner, the Sydney CB was beaten to the ball by Keanu Baccus. It was really poor play from Donachie, who it must be said was at fault in two key moments in this Sydney Derby.
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What they said
“It’s obviously disappointing to have lost that, especially the way we did, with a penalty and from a corner kick,” said Corica post-game.
“We’ve got a short turnaround. We’ve got to play Tuesday and Western on Friday, so we can’t dwell on that and we’ve got to pick ourselves up and perform on Tuesday.”
Key stats
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE, 2. James DONACHIE, 4. Alex WILKINSON ©, 8. Paulo RETRE (6. Mustafa AMINI 57’), 10. Milos NINKOVIC (22. Max BURGESS 69’), 11. Kosta BARBAROUSES (16. Luciano NARSINGH 57’), 14. Adam LE FONDRE, 17. Anthony CACERES, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 25. Callum TALBOT (5. Connor O’TOOLE, 69’), 27. Elvis KAMSOBA (9. BOBÔ 41’).
Unused Subs: 20. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 3. Ben WARLAND.
Yellow Cards: Donachie 23’, Amini 95’.
Red Cards: None.
Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Daniel MARGUSH, 3. Adama TRAORE, 7. Ramy NAJJARINE (32. Jarrod CARLUCCIO 76’), 8. Steve UGARKOVIC, 10. Tomer HEMED (9. Bernie IBINI 69’), 11. Keijiro OGAWA (7. Ziggy GORDON 84’), 13. Tate RUSSELL (22. John KOUTROUMBIS 76’), 15. Tomislav MRCELA, 17. Keanu BACCUS, 23. Dimi PETRATOS (39. Thomas AQUILINA 84’), 25. Phillip CANCAR.
Subs: 20. Tomas MEJIAS, 29. Terry ANTONIS.
Yellow Cards: Carluccio 94’.
Red Cards: None.
Venue: CommBank Stadium.
Referee: Alex King.
Next game
Sydney FC take on Kaya FC from the Philippines in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Kick-off is 7:30 pm.