Sydney FC

 

Marc Janko might be the A-League’s top scorer but doesn’t know of Sydney FC future

TERRY Antonis says Sydney FC were forced to defend for their lives to hang onto their thrilling 4-3 derby win in Parramatta.

The 21-year-old came off the bench to score the winner against Western Sydney, but the home side came agonisingly close to snatching something from the game.

The Sky Blues were reduced to 10 men when Mickael Tavares was sent off with seven minutes remaining and Vedran Janjetovic pulled off a series of late saves to keep the Wanderers out, including a stoppage time volley from Yusuke Tanaka.

Watching the intensity of the game unfold from the sidelines, Antonis said it was tough to come on as a substitute, which is why he was so emotional when he took his goal with 15 minutes left to play.

“It was a crazy feeling,” Antonis said.

“Emotionally, being able to actually score the goal in the derby, is a huge thing and also to get the three points out of it was a massive thing.

“It’s always a tough game against them, especially the intensity and how the game is going quickly, it’s tough to come on as a substitute. Everyone was defending for their life.”

Tavares’ red card will see the Senegalese midfielder miss the next game, but Graham Arnold says that will mean a starting spot for Antonis.

“Antonis can go straight back into the holding midfield,” the Sydney FC coach said.

“We’ve got depth, it’s no problem at all.”

A brace from marquee striker Marc Janko, plus an own goal by Ante Covic, saw the Sky Blues race into a 3-0 lead before the Wanderers pulled it back to 3-3.

The Austrian captain is now the A-League’s topscorer with 12 goals and has been linked with a move back to Europe at the end of the season. And while he remains tight-lipped on his future, Janko insists he wants to have success with Sydney.

“What will be in the future, we’ll see about that,” he said.

“I feel comfortable at Sydney, I love the people, I love Australia, so maybe there will be a future at this club for me.

“First we have to have a conversation about my future here, there hasn’t been any at the moment. But they were quite busy with signing new players as injury replacements, so I understand.”