Sydney FC 1 defeated Melbourne Victory 0
It’s only round one but Sydney FC seem to have picked up where they left off in the replay between last season’s two grand finalists.
And our team at Dynamic Syndications couldn’t be happier because again for 2017/18 season we are Corporate Partners and also the Player Sponsor of midfielder Brandon O’Neill.
Dean & Fiona Watt - Dynamic Syndications with our 2017/18 Sydney FC Sponsored Player BRANDON O'NEILL
Further several of the players are owners of racehorses with our team at Dynamic Syndications.
On Saturday night, Sydney FC began their title defence in the same professional, no-nonsense and well-organised approach they demonstrated winning last season’s premiership, by closing down Melbourne Victory’s attack and in the process claimed all 3 competition points.
Sydney FC won the A-League championship last year by being secure across their backline defence, uncompromising in midfield and then could skilfully take the chances that came their way after they took control of a game.
Sydney FC has now beaten Melbourne Victory five (5) times in a row
The first 20 minutes was dominated by Melbourne Victory possession but then the tide turned and Sky Blues maintained the lion share of possession.
Nil all at half-time it was a scintillating spell of dominance after the break as Sydney FC created a number of chances and the pressure finally told when the ball deflected off a Melbourne Victory defender after great work from Sydney FC defender Luke Wilkshire.
It might have been a fortuitous way to score, winning ugly is still winning and most importantly for Sydney FC team, it was a clean sheet and three points on the road in a season opener at Etihad Stadium which equals a perfect start.
Resolute defending ensured that a late onslaught from Melbourne was to no avail with Sydney FC backs Buijs and Retre both making vital stops late in the piece.
Sydney's resolute defending was enough to grind out a 1-0 win over the Victory.
Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne admitted his side had been off the pace in the early stages as Melbourne Victory employed suicidal tactics in the first 20 minutes when relentlessly chasing the ball and in the process burning up vital energy which told later in the game.
The win reinforced Sydney’s belief that they can set the pace and retain the championship won in May, as well as setting them up for Wednesday night’s FFA Cup semi-final against South Melbourne.
For Redmayne there was the personal satisfaction of a clean sheet after being crowned the first-choice replacement for last season’s now departed goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.
Redmayne predicted his side would grow in quality in coming weeks, having weathered Victory’s early storm.
“It’s always a tough ask, playing Melbourne Victory, but the boys stood tall and worked really well as a unit,” he said.
“The first 15 or 20 minutes we were a bit off the pace and that’s something we will address.
Graham Arnold said: “Defensively we were outstanding. Even (Melbourne Victory) missing players you know they’re a team that will come at you, it’s Melbourne Victory 101 really. They come at you hard and fast but we matched it and then we were able to start playing our football.”
“You saw some great passages of play from us as the game went on, we made some excellent opportunities, especially building up from the back. A clean sheet is pleasing too, but it was only the first round of the season and we know how much work remains.
“It was nice to display some of the things we’ve been working on in pre-season, but there’s so much improvement in the team to come. Our best football is very much in front of us.”
“I thought we were at about 30% of our capabilities.
“We had three new players at the back and it’s taken them time to gel but defensively we were outstanding tonight, overall it was a good grinding performance.”
Sydney FC Squad at Season Launch
On behalf of our team at Dynamic Syndications we congratulate the players and coaching staff on their opening victory.