A clinical performance from Sydney FC saw them finish 3-0 winners against Canberra United in their rescheduled round six Y-League clash at the AIS on Sunday.
Despite the very hot conditions, both teams began strongly and moved the ball well across the park.
The Sky Blues created the first real chance after seven minutes when Marco Tilio floated a dangerous cross towards a teammate at the back post, but Finn Jurak was wary of the threat and tipped the ball out for a corner.
United had a chance shortly after as Nik Popovich relieved a defender of the ball before breaking clear towards goal, but he could only put his shot just wide under pressure.
Both sides stopped for a drink break as the heat took it’s toll 23 minutes in, and 10 minutes after the break it was the visitors who took the lead.
Tilio burst through the home back line before firing home past Jurak to give Sydney the lead, and on the stroke of half time they extended the advantage as Callum Talbot’s deflected strike wrong footed Jurak and found the back of the net.
The second half began in similar fashion to the first, but neither side was able to create an early opening as they both spent time in possession.
There was a scare for the hosts seven minutes in as Lachlan Griffiths went to ground after a knock to the head, and play was paused as Griffiths was checked before being escorted from the pitch. Nikola Jadric replaced Griffiths as United looked to regroup and force their way back into the game.
Sydney seemed content to sit back and let United bring the play to them, but the hosts were unable to create any genuine threats as time wore on and Sydney grabbed another late as Jordan Swibel headed in from a good cross.
Antoni Timotheou had a go from distance that whistled just wide before he swung in a corner that ended up in the net, but the goal was disallowed after it was judged to have gone out during the delivery.
That was the last major chance of the game, and play fizzled out under the setting sun.
United’s final clash of the season is this Saturday, kicking off at 6:30pm at Deakin Stadium.
