A Keisuke Honda penalty 19 minutes from full-time has given Melbourne Victory a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sydney FC at Kogarah.
On a glorious Sunday afternoon, football fans of Sydney’s south voted with their feet. Almost 20,000 spectators turned out at Jubilee Oval for Sydney FC’s first home game in the St George district since the 2011-12 A-League season.
Two of the best teams in the country saw the ‘full house’ sign go up at Kogarah and the match between the reigning champions and last campaign’s premiers did not disappoint in the first meeting between the sides since their feisty semi-final at the end of last season.
The match was the first of seven Sydney FC home games at Jubilee Oval this season, with the Sky Blues making Kogarah their major temporary home as Allianz Stadium undergoes redevelopment.
Melbourne took the lead against the run of play in the 23rd minute after Sydney failed to make the most of their possession and field position.
Terry Antonis, the villain and then hero of last season’s epic semi-final, instigated a counter attack for Victory before James Troisi attempted to find Kosta Barbarouses.
The striker’s run sucked in two Sydney FC defenders, allowing the ball to run through to an unmarked Ola Toivonen at the back post.
The striker, who represented Sweden at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, saw his finish deflect off Jop van der Linden past Andrew Redmayne.
Another video assistant referee controversy was to mar the first half as a dubious penalty hauled Sydney FC level on 34 minutes.
A Michael Zullo cross ran through to Paulo Retre but referee Peter Green pointed to the spot after adjudging Antonis to have brought down Retre.
The VAR officials upheld Green’s decision, though replays showed there was little contact between Retre and Antonis, with the penalty decision soft at best.
Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas saved Adam Le Fondre’s initial penalty low to his right, only for the English striker to turn home the rebound.
Sydney FC enjoyed the bulk of possession but were unable to create many clear cut chances, a Rhyan Grant header from a pin point Brandon O’Neill cross field pass as close as they came.
Victory would regain the lead from the penalty spot with 20 minutes to play.
This one was more clear cut. Van der Linden’s rash challenge on Honda gave the Japanese superstar the chance to put Melbourne back in front. He did so, coolly rolling the ball past Redmayne.
Sydney FC pushed for an equaliser but Victory held firm, inflicted the Sky Blues’ first A-League loss under new coach Steve Corica.
It was double success for Victory, who downed Sydney FC 3-2 in the W-League match earlier in the day thanks to a Natasha Dowie hat-trick.
The hope is that the decision makers at Football Federation Australia were watching closely. It was more than just a great afternoon, it was a statement from football fans.
This is what they want. Hopefully the message got through loud and clear.
Sydney FC will look to bounce back when they travel to Central Coast Stadium to face the Mariners on Saturday night.
The Sky Blues return to Kogarah to host Wellington on December 8.
Leader Scoreboard
Melbourne Victory (Ola Toivonen 23’, Keisuke Honda 71p’)
defeated
Sydney FC (Adam Le Fondre 35’)
at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah
Crowd: 19,081
