Sydney FC beat Adelaide United in A-League

Dec 1, 2017 - 11:41 AM A-League champions Sydney FC have floored Adelaide United 1-0, with Brazilian striker Bobo scoring with a classic counterpunch.

The Sky Blues stretched their lead atop the table to five points before weekend games with their away win at Coopers Stadium on Friday night.

Bobo's 45th-minute goal came against the tide as Adelaide controlled territory and possession but failed to land a telling blow on the titleholders.

The Reds had 10 shots at goal in the first half to Sydney's two but only one Adelaide attempt was on target.

Nikola Mileusnic butchered his side's best first-half chance when his free header from just 5m sailed over the crossbar in the 36th minute.

Nine minutes later, the Sky Blues struck after a shrewd switch of play from Josh Brilliante whose long ball was kept in by a diving Luke Wilkshire at the byline.

Wilkshire managed to get a boot to ball and curl it to the face of goal where Bobo was waiting and he coolly converted his fifth league goal this season.

Bobo also scored Sydney's match-winner in their 2-1 FFA Cup final against Adelaide 11 days ago.

The Reds, who could slip out of the top six by Sunday night, couldn't muster a shot on target after half-time before their home crowd of 7021.

Sydney also found genuine second-half scoring chances scarce but enjoyed greater shares of possession on the way to their seventh win from nine league outings this campaign.

"That wasn't a 90-minute performance from us tonight and that is our main aim, to make sure we get that," Sydney coach Graham Arnold said.

Adelaide Marco Kurz pinpointed his side's inability to convert their attacking opportunities into a goal as the reason for the loss.

"Frustration is not the right word, I was very proud of our team," Kurz said.

"Now, in this moment, Sydney have more quality."

Source: AAP