Sydney FC secured a place in their first ever FFA Cup semi-final with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Blacktown City FC.
First-half strikes from Filip Holosko and David Carney saw the Sky Blues head into the sheds with a 2-0 lead, which reflected what had been a dominant opening period.
Sydney FC new recruit Bobô marked his impressive starting debut with the sealer in the second-half, as he tapped in a Michael Zullo cross to compliment his earlier two assists.
Here are the major talking points:
Bobô means business
In a significant step in endearing himself to the Sydney faithful, former Corinthians, Besiktas and Gremio star Bobô delivered a return of a goal and two assists in his first start for the club.
A stunning lofted ball to Holosko and precise knock-down for David Carney were first-half glimpses of the potentially season-defining impact that Bobô could have on the upcoming campaign. The 31-year-old continued to trouble the Blacktown backline with his impressive work-rate throughout the second half, thawing out a handful of half-chances until he converted a tap-in from a Michael Zullo cross to register his first Sydney FC goal.
His link up play with fellow marquee Filipe Holosko is one to watch, with the pair having previously played together at Turkish giants Besiktas.
Sydney FC will threaten this season
The two time A-League champions are the first Sydney-based side to ever reach the final four of the FFA Cup, and will now fancy their chances as they attempt to secure the Cup for the first time. The squad that Graham Arnold has assembled is now looking a formidable force for opponents in both cup and league competitions, with the problem areas that defined their last campaign on the road to being eliminated altogether.
With strong additions on the pitch and a promising pre-season to date, ‘Arnie’ looks to have the Sky Blues purring again.
Promising Blacktown fail to deliver
The NSW NPL champions’s only real chance of the game came through former Sky Blue Mitch Mallia, who rattled the woodwork in the closing stages of the first period, marking an underwhelming performance from the state league side.
City were comprehensively accounted for by their fancied rivals, with Adelaide United-bound Danny Choi particularly stifled. His most significant highlight was a cheeky long range attempt, similar to his wonder-goal against Sydney United, which was this time denied by Danny Vukovic.
