Foxtel Y-League Round 3 | Sydney FC 4 (Luke Ivanovic 5’, 43’, Hamish Lamberton 53’, Ben Van Meurs 56’) def. Canberra United 0
Two goals in either half for Sydney FC saw Canberra United’s Foxtel Y-League side fall to a third consecutive loss at Lambert Park on Saturday. The 4-0 loss hands United their third loss in as many games to start the 2018/19 season.
The hosts took the lead early on, as some neat combination play just outside the box lead to Luke Ivanovic slotting the ball past Finn Jurak in goals just five minutes in. The game evened out following the opener though, with United keeping the hosts at bay.
But just before half-time, Sydney FC were handed a free-kick in a dangerous position, and Ivanovic fired it home to grab his second and give the hosts a two-goal buffer heading into the break.
Coming back out for the second half, United would have been looking to improve on their first half showing, but it was the hosts who came out of the break stronger.
It took 10 minutes for Sydney to push their lead out when Hamish Lamberton struck from close range and moments later the Sky Blues were in again.
A corner was delivered into the box and Ben Van Meurs ghosted in to tap home at the back post and extend the lead to four goals, all but sealing the game with more than half an hour to play.
Speaking on the game, Coach Dean Ugrinic said that Sydney were far too good on the day.
“Sydney were far too good for us on the day,” Ugrinic said.
“They were clinical, they were professional, and they were a level above us.”
Ugrinic said that while the side had put in strong performances in their opening two outings, they were a level below that on Saturday at Lambert Park.
“At the end of the day, you need to be performing at your best if you’re going to compete effectively against a side like Sydney FC who are quality.”
Despite the result, Ugrinic praised the resilience of his players and their ability to carry on with the game plan.
“The determination of the boys to keep going, and still look to execute the game plan was great.”
“They were resilient, they tried to get back into the game, but it just wasn’t working for us on the day.”
“Next week I’m hoping that we can move the ball a bit quicker, and also look to maintain possession against the Jets.”
United take on the Newcastle Jets at
United will turn their attention to next week, where they will face Newcastle Jets FC at Adamstown Oval on Saturday at 10:30am.
