Match Review:
Sydney FC 3 (Ryall 23’, Dimitrijevic 65’, Ibini 81’) def.
Canberra Olympic 0
Sydney FC has reached their first Football Federation Australia (FFA) Cup Final in the history of the Sky Blues after a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Canberra Olympic in the nation’s capital on Wednesday evening.
Goals came in the form of a silky head deflection from
Seb Ryall, a craftsman’s set piece strike from
Milos Dimitrijevic and a wonderful welcome back goal for
Bernie Ibini, which secured the first of the
FFA Cup Final spots.
The Sky Blues could have had more goals on the scoreboard with skipper
Alex Brosque desperately unlucky hitting the post and an irrepressible Olympic goalkeeper making several crucial saves.
The win was eventually put beyond doubt in the
81st minute with Ibini’s strike, just seven minutes after he came on as a substitute, setting up a mouth-watering final against either Tim Cahill’s Melbourne City or Melbourne Victory.
Bernie’s goal was full of emotion, as he looked to the heavens after scoring. Bernie was only on the pitch a matter of moments, returning after almost 18 months out with a horrendous broken leg that went close to ending his career.
The Killer B's "Bernie and Brosquey" - Berni Ibini is congratulated Alex Brosque after scoring
The final score makes it look an easy result for the Sky Blues but this was far from the truth. In exceptionally cold conditions and on a fast, dry track, it took the Sky Blues the first quarter of the match to adjust to the pace and the atmosphere. This was being paired with a skilful and eager Canberra Olympic side who took a “take no prisoners” approach into the game.
In the end it came down to the fact that a very good amateur side, full of part-time players was unable to sustain the momentum needed to combat the skill, experience and professional expertise of a hard fit, confident Sydney FC side that went to work with calculated precision.
The grand-final will be held on
Tuesday 29th November at a venue to be confirmed.
Graham Arnold said post-match: “It’s the first FFA Cup Final in the history of Sydney FC and it’s a wonderful feat for the players and for the club.
“That’s six wins and we are yet to concede a goal this season and we are scoring goals freely.
“We missed our chances tonight and should have put Canberra away in the first half when we had the chances but overall it’s a pleasing result.
“I make no secret that I couldn’t be happier for Bernie Ibini. He’s been out for a long time and has come back to Australia to get fit and healthy again.
“He’s only 30 to 40 percent of where he’ll end up but the kid has worked extremely hard and the medical staff have done a fantastic job on Bernie. To see him finish it off there and score a goal makes it a special night for him.”
Dynamic Syndications became a Corporate Partner with SYDNEY FC for the 2016/17 season and it is fantastic to think the team are currently at the top of the premiership table (albeit after 2 rounds) and a first into the FFA Cup – a competition that has eluded them to date.
Dynamic Syndications further enhanced our commercial involvement with SYDNEY FC by agreeing to be a PLAYER SPONSOR in 2016/17 and once we had agreed to terms, we had no hesitation committing our support to Bernie Ibini.
And what a wonderful way to start the season and to start our corporate relationship as a sponsor with Bernie Ibini.
We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate SYDNEY FC Players / Staff / Fans on the team’s early season successes.
