Summary
That’s where we’ll leave Sportwatch on a night in which Sydney FC recorded a memorable and potentially decisive win in the A-League over their nearest and biggest rivals this season. Is that the premiership secured? A long way yet to run, and there’s the not insignificant matter of the Asian Champions League to distract the reigning champions over the months ahead.
But when it mattered most - reduced to ten men inside half an hour - the competition’s form team showed themselves to be head and shoulders above their rivals. Former City man Luke Brattan pulled the strings for his new side, while Milos Ninkovic displayed another virtuoso cameo - winning a penalty, and attacking with twinkling toes, but also getting through a weight of work defensively.
Former Victory striker Kosta Barbarouses haunting his erstwhile derby opponents with a goal late on to clinch it. Sydney FC nine points clear: who can run them down from here?
Good wins for the Sydney FC women’s team and the Matildas-led Brisbane Roar in the W-League, while Adelaide remain winless. And that’s Sportwatch!
Big Bash - End of Innings: Strikers 6/155 (20)
They resort to seven different bowlers in the end, the Renegades, but you have to say, the Strikers have perhaps butchered that early platform, losing wickets steadily and failing to capitalise on Salt’s fifty. Rashid Khan cleared the rope twice late on in a 16-ball 25-run cameo, but this is definitely a getable score for the Renegades. Over to you, Aaron Finch.
It’s an exuberant celebration from coach Steve Corica - has his side just secured the premiership?!
It feels outrageous to even suggest such a thing, just 12 rounds into 29, but with City the nearest rivals, they’ve sent a huge message tonight, the Sky Blues. To do that with 10 men.
Only Wellington Phoenix have prevented Sydney from eight-straight wins since that shock derby loss in round two. It’s a ninth consecutive home win for FC.
Simply put - this team is head and shoulders above the rest.
A-League: Sydney FC 2-1 Melbourne City
90 + 3 min: City win themselves a corner, and the ‘keeper Glover ambles up to join the fray! Last roll of the dice for the visitors. He ends up with ball at feet in a wide position, and he tries to drop the shoulder on McGowan, but the experienced defender has none of it - and plays the ball off the ‘keeper to win the goalkick. Danger averted.
And there’s the whistle! The pretenders have been vanquished - Sydney FC are the real deal, and they go nine points clear at the top of the A-League ladder!
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90 + 1 min: Four minutes is the official added time, and Sydney run the first of those down as King wins a clever foul from former Sky Blue star Brillante.
89 min: A fine cameo from Luke Brattan in the Sydney midfield. For youngsters wanting to learn how to control the tempo of a game, get a copy of that tape. Calm on the ball, scanning for options, finding the right pass to release pressure, and turn defence into attack. He’s been excellent tonight the former City man.
87 min: Sydney FC contemplate a final change - it’s an A-League debut for Patrick Flottmann, replacing the sharp-shooter Adam Le Fondre. Defender for attacker, it’s officially shut-up-shop o’clock for the table-toppers.
A-League - Goal! Sydney FC 2-1 Melbourne City (Barbarouses)
84 min: You wouldn’t say against the run of play, but they’ve conjured something from nothing, Sydney FC!
Caceres plays a decent ball out to Barbarouses who turns his former Phoenix teammate Scott Galloway inside out, to stride inside and fire a low shot across Glover! It nestles bottom corner - a superb finish.
And incredibly: the 10 men Sydney FC have come from behind to take the lead!
83 min: The home fans bay for blood as Griffiths catches Le Fondre. He’s already been booked the City skipper for the night, and it was on a break. There’s no card though, to the dismay of the faithful.
81 min: Luna goes in the book for a series of minor fouls, and City look to play their last card off the bench in the former of Lachlan Wales.
Cabrera with a superb double effort - the first a stunning first-time volley, but it’s well blocked, and his follow-up effort rises just over the bar.
It’s his last contribution, as Wales takes his spot.
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A-League - 77 min: Sydney FC make their second switch, as Ninkovic makes way for youngster Harry van der Saag. He receives a huge ovation from the home fans - it’s been another high-quality showing from the Serbian maestro in truth, whose earned penalty should have given Sydney the lead.
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Big Bash: Strikers 2/119 (15), Carey 36*, Wells 19*
Down in Melbourne we are of course well into the Renegades v Strikers Big Bash clash.
It’s a decent start from the Strikers with Philip Salt smashing an impressive 54 off just 26 runs.
With wickets in hand this could be a decent total if they can explode over the final five overs - especially with the skipper Carey at the crease. Watch this space.
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72 min: Cabrera does well to pinch it from King, but Maclaren can’t make the most of it centrally.
Is he off tonight, the Socceroo? You hesitate to say so until the full 90 has gone, given his prodigious ability to make something from nothing. But in the battle of the sharp-shooters it’s definitely been Le Fondre who’s looked the more impressive tonight.
69 min: Sydney FC with a corner, but it’s a poor delivery from Caceres that enables the ‘keeper Glover to fire a fast release. He can’t quite find Maclaren though, and the move peters out.
City go to the bench again, Noone jogs off for the promising Ramy Najjarine. Can he etch his name in lights?
65 min: Surprisingly, despite their ten men, Sydney FC are enjoying almost 50% possession. Mombaerts has perhaps told his side to be wary of the Sydney transition attack.
They’re allowing the home side to dictate play a little though City, which with the man advantage they really shouldn’t be doing.
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61 min: Le Fondre tries to skip round Delbridge after a clever ball from the youngster Joel King, but the big Australian defender shuts down the chance well.
It’s nicely poised at this stage - City for their part starting to show a little bit more ambition, while Sydney look to hit in transition, as they have so brilliantly all season.
58 min: Cabrera picks out the new man Luna at the far post - he tries the spectacular overhead / horizontal minesweeper: but he can’t get it on target!
What a goal that could have been - the two Uruguayans combine nicely.
55 min: A first change from Melbourne City as the goalscorer Metcalfe makes way for Adrian Luna. It’s a marginally more attacking change from Mombaerts - has he identified something in the Sydney FC midfield that the Uruguayan can exploit?
49 min: Now it’s City earning a corner, as Ninkovic is forced to do some defensive work. Sydney FC eventually clear their lines, but can’t spring the fast counter as Atkinson closes down Brattan.
Noone fires in another dangerous effort from an acute angle. It’s another terrific run - he deserves a goal, but again, having done the hardest bit, the finish itself is underwhelming.
Second half!
45 min: We’re back after the break. What words of wisdom have both coaches imparted? It’s the ten men of Sydney FC who dominate the opening moments of possession, and they earn a first corner of the half.
I can also confirm a half-time change: Anthony Caceres comes on for Alexander Baumjohann. Presumably that’s a tactical switch, with the German not noted for his defensive workload.
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And for those of you who like those end of year awards malarkey, here’s a pretty good “alternative” awards selection from the Observer’s David Hills:
Two Aussie treasures flying the flag, you’ll note: Bernard Tomic and Israel Folau pick up honorable mentions. Proud.
Half-time: Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne City
45 + 4 min: It’s six minutes added on, given the lengthy head clash, VAR decisions and other miscellaneous delays.
Maclaren seems caught in two minds when through on goal, while at the other end Kosta Barbarouses can’t quite find his partner-in-crime Le Fondre.
It’s a pulsating first stanza: a red card, some niggle, two goals, a penalty missed. Are you not entertained?
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A-League - penalty saved! Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne City
45 min: Blushes spared by Glover, given his role in the earlier Sydney FC goal, as Le Fondre looks to drive his penalty attempt hard and straight down the middle - but the former Tottenham junior just gets a leg to it and deflects clear!
His teammates are delighted and rush to congratulate him. You have to say, I never thought Le Fondre would miss, the form that he’s in - but credit the ‘keeper.
44 min: It’s a mercurial run from the re-signed Serbian, Ninkovic - and he’s won Sydney FC a penalty!
A slaloming run through the heart of the City defence, before he catches the leg of Delbridge. Could they go ahead, just before half-time?!
42 min: The loss of fullback Grant - remarkably his first red card in eleven seasons - has seen a tactical adjustment for the home side. The versatile Paulo Retre slots in at right back, and Luke Brattan drops to the solo anchor role, with Ninkovic and Baumjohhann coming a little more centrally.
38 min: And despite being reduced to 10 men, it’s the home crowd in fine voice after that Le Fondre goal.
Plenty more to cheer, as Craig Noone bursts through with just Andrew Redmayne to beat - and he’s missed the target completely!
It was a brilliant run, a give-and-go through the heart of the FC defence, including a nutmeg on Ryan McGowan, but City’s Englishman could only curl his effort harmlessly wide! What a massive let off.
33 min: Not only has that goal drawn Sydney FC level, but it’s also light a small fire in the dark beady eyes of Jamie Maclaren. The City striker in of course locked in his own personal battle with Sydney’s ALF for the golden boot race. He won’t have enjoyed seeing that one bobble the net.
Maclaren: 10; Le Fondre: 12.
A-League: Goal! Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne City (Le Fondre)
28 min: Well, it’s all happening now! It’s the ten men in the Sky Blue (not City Blue TM) of Sydney who have a share of the lead. It’s a freekick and the ‘keeper Tom Glover doesn’t claim or clear cleanly - but it’s a terrific finish from the English sharp-shooter through a crowd of bodies.
No danger of this one being a snore-fest. Game on!
24 min: Oh my, oh my. We could have some more VAR drama here. Rhyan Grant has gone in high on Nathaniel Atkinson - and despite an on-field yellow card being awarded, we go upstairs to deliberate if that’s a tackle worthy of a straight red card.
And the machine men say: yes! It’s a red card for Rhyan Grant!
It’s a calamitous few minutes for Sydney FC.
A-League - Goal! Sydney FC 0-1 Melbourne City (Metcalfe)
21 min: It’s the short corner routine - and for seemingly the first time in the history of football - it’s delivered a goal! A fine ball in from Craig Noone and it’s the young midfielder from Newcastle who rises the highest. A terrific header, and it’s City who get the first break!
16 min: This is starting to bubble a little, as Rostyn Griffiths is penalised for a foul on Milos Ninkovic. He gets the ball, the City captain for the day, but he does appear to go over the top and catches the Sydney FC playmaker on the ankle.
A slight delay before Griffiths is handed a yellow card. If that’s come from the VAR then we’ve got some bracket creep from the video officials - it’s either a yellow on the pitch, or by their own rules they’re not allowed to get involved.
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W-League: Brisbane Roar 2-1 Newcastle Jets
There’s the final whistle, and it is a much-needed, and you’d have to say, on weight of chances - a well-deserved - win for the home side. Just too much attacking talent, despite the heroics in goal from Coelho.
Roar march up the ladder, while the Jets threaten to be cut adrift, alongside Adelaide and the Sam Kerr-less Perth.
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11 min: An early sight at goal from Connor Metcalfe - and his curling effort is just deflected wide for a corner! A real scare just outside the Sydney FC penalty box as Craig Noone’s cutback broke kindly to the youngster and his first touch set himself up nicely, and his second was to thump it goalwards.
Sydney defend back-to-back corners though, and eventually clear their lines.
8 min: A lively tempo to the start of this one - as you’d expect between the top two sides in the A-League. So much attacking talent in both squads, and with City playing a much more proactive style of football under Erick Mombaerts you just sense there could be some goals today.
Plenty of tasty match ups across the pitch, as well. Luke Brattan in Sydney FC colours and Josh Brillante in City’s white? It’s still something the eyes need to adjust to.
A-League: Kick off!
3 min: It’s an unfortunate beginning for two players as Rhyan Grant and Nathaniel Atkinson come together for a nasty clash of heads. Concern on both benches, but the players are up and on their feet - and the medical staff clear them for action.
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Let’s move to our feature match of the round from the A-League where it’s one v two - let’s get some team news for you ASAP.
Sydney fC:
HAL LINEUP | Here's how we shape up for tonight's top of the table clash!
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 29, 2019
Ninko returns to the starting side and Teague returns on the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad 👍#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions #SYDvMCY pic.twitter.com/N78961Rabp
Melbourne City:
Our team is in for tonight's clash with Sydney FC. #SYDvMCY #ForeverCity pic.twitter.com/F2AUvuE0eI
— Melbourne City FC 🏙️ (@MelbourneCity) December 29, 2019
W-League - 77 min: A big cheer from the home fans as on comes the returning Elise Kellond-Knight, Matildas and Roar stalwart after several seasons away from Queensland. Pana Petratos also comes on for the Jets as both coaches look to effect a last tactical roll of the die.
W-League - Goal! Brisbane 2-1 Newcastle (Palmer)
68 min: Well, there was a sense of it being just a matter of time for the Roar, and finally, they breach the brave defence of Coelho. It was driven goalwards by Raso, but saved - then rattled back off the crossbar from Yallop, to the squeals of home fans, before the Young Matilda Hollie Palmer was finally able to turn home!
There’s the lead - and you can’t say it wasn’t coming.
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W-League - 65 min: And if you were in doubt about how this clash is unfolding, it’s Roar with 13 shots on target to Newcastle’s one. But what a one it was, given the scoreboard still reads 1-1. A nervy moment at the back for the Roar, that said, as Mackenzie Arnold miscontrols, and the ‘keeper almost invites trouble - very much against the run of play.
And here’s the final day four report from the trans-Tasman Boxing Day Test. I for one would have loved to see a little more from the Black Caps. Fingers crossed for Sydney?
W-League - 57 min: The Roar are starting to really besiege the Jets’ goal as the Matildas trio of Katrina Gorry, Yallop and Raso combine to threaten once again - but the final ball is missing on this occasion.
There’s still plenty of experience in this Jets outfit, despite losing Emily van Egmond over the off-season, but they’ll need their older heads like Gema Simon and Jenna Kingsley to stand tall here, if they’re not to see one point evaporate into none.
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W-League - 50 min: We’re back underway in the second half of Brisbane v Newcastle where there’s considerable concern over the Jets’ goalkeeper Claire Coelho after a heavy collision with an on-rushing Tameka Yallop. It’s still 1-1, but it’s the home side making all the running since the break with Hayley Raso and Yallop both with opportunities.
And if you’ve just joined us, the Boxing Day Test has just resolved - and alas it’s a pretty comprehensive loss for the visitors New Zealand. Jonathan Howcroft has the latest there:
And the big news coming from the cricket today - veteran quick Peter Siddle has announced he’s hanging up his spurs. Competitive until the last - vale, you sweet workhorse. 221 international wickets is nothing to be sneezed at:
W-League: Sydney FC 2-0 Adelaide United
And there’s the full-time whistle! Another “close but no cigar” mission for the Lady Reds. They rallied well late on, but a superb strike from Princess Ibini settled the nerves for home fans. Sydney FC bounce back from that heavy derby loss last weekend in the best possible way, while Adelaide slump to their sixth consecutive loss of the season.
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W-League: Brisbane Roar 1-1 Newcastle Jets - half-time
And not quite in the shadow of half-time but there’s been a crucial equaliser up in Queensland as well, as Clare Polkinghorne has pinned back the Jets after Tara Andrews’ early goal. We head into the sheds all level therefore.
W-League: Goal! Sydney FC 2-0 Adelaide United (Ibini)
90 + 1 min: Oh my. That’s some strike from Princess Ibini! Adelaide allowed the Matilda too much space outside the box and she let fly from long range. No chance for Sarah Willacy in the Reds goal - and their stout resistance has finally been put to bed.
Evening all! I hope this finds you well, between the (presumed) decadence of Christmas and the (presumed) restraint of New Years resolutions.
We’ve got two lots of live W-League that I want to get to straight away, where I can tell you we’ve just had a late goal. Let’s jump in.
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Preamble
It’s a feast of football with a sprinkling of Big Bash cricket for pudding, this Sportwatch. In the W-League winless Adelaide chase their first points against Sydney FC, while Brisbane Roar host Newcastle knowing a win can see them apply pressure to Canberra after their heavy loss to the Wanderers.
In the A-League it’s one v two: a mouthwatering match up of the competition’s top two marksman as Jamie Maclaren and Adam Le Fondre go toe-to-toe.
And then it’s over to Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh to get the Renegades’ shock 0-3 season up and running as Adelaide Strikers come to town. Enjoy.
