It’s too early for alarm bells. But something, somewhere must be flashing amber for Sydney FC coach Steve Corica after a bad week got even worse on Saturday night.
Still reeling from Luke Brattan’s ACL injury in the FFA Cup, which has the potential to define their A-League Men campaign, the Sky Blues fell 1-0 to Macarthur FC – the second match in a row they were held scoreless in the league.
Lachlan Rose after hitting the winner for the Bulls.Credit:Getty
It’s been a long time since Sydney went winless in their first two matches of an A-League season. So long, in fact, that Alessandro Del Piero was still running around the last time it happened in 2012.
There is every chance this is just a passing phase for the Sky Blues as they grapple with not only the long-term absence of Brattan, their midfield metronome, but also Bobo and Kosta Barbarouses, who despite their advancing years are still match winners on their day in this competition. Granted, this was also the team’s third match in a week, and at times the players looked out of puff physically, if not mentally too.
But it was the manner in which the Bulls nullified Sydney’s usual avenues to goal which should most concern Corica, who has rolled out effectively the same tactical blueprint for the third season running. It might be time for a refresh. The visitors knew exactly what was coming and were happy to sit back, cede possession, and pick the right moments to apply pressure. This approach generated more genuine chances than a sluggish Sydney did in the first half, and in that period came the decisive goal.
Lachie Rose was the man who scored it, tucking away his fourth strike in three outings in the 17th minute, but Ulises Davila was the engineer. Davila held off two Sydney defenders as he surged down the right and passed inwards for Daniel De Silva, who in turn found Rose in an unmissable position. It continues a terrific run for the 22-year-old, who was playing in NPL2 before Ante Milicic plucked him out of obscurity for Macarthur’s inaugural season.
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Sydney’s energy lifted in the second half as Corica threw on young pair Patrick Wood and Calem Nieuwenhof. But as the Sky Blues peppered the Bulls’ goal, Macarthur’s defence remained stoic. Wood was guilty of a poor miss in the 66th minute – he should have found the back of the net when Rhyan Grant played him in, but instead hit the side netting. Max Burgess, another potential difference-maker, didn’t get off the bench until the final 10 minutes. By then, there was no moving the Bulls’ rearguard.
Earlier, Wellington Phoenix claimed their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over the Central Coast Mariners. Gary Hooper opened the scoring for the Phoenix, who were playing at their home-away-from-home in Wollongong. The Mariners struck back almost instantly through Marco Urena, but Jaushua Sotirio restored his team’s advantage in the 63rd minute – and they could have made it three had Ben Waine’s late penalty not been saved by Mark Birighitti.
Sluggish Sky Blues scoreless again as Bulls notch first win of season
Source: Philippines Alive
