A Shinji Ono penalty has handed a 10-man Western Sydney Wanderers a 1-0 win over Melbourne Heart FC at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.
A Shinji Ono penalty has handed a 10-man Western Sydney Wanderers a 1-0 win over Melbourne Heart FC at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night.
The Wanderers went one man short after defender Jerome Polenz was sent off for hauling down David Williams as he was clear on goal.
But the visitors failed to capitalise with their spot-kick and the numerical advantage to eventually come unstuck when Ono scored 17 minutes from time.
After the tireless Youssouf Hersi was dragged down by David Vrankovic in the box, the Japanese midfielder stepped up and sent Andrew Redmayne the wrong way.
Vince Grella made a return to action, coming off the bench for the final 25 minutes in his first appearance in senior football since September 2011.
It was a cagey start by both sides but the match sprung to life on 13 minutes when Polenz was dismissed.
Mark Bridge turned over possession in midfield allowing the visitors to start an attack, with Jonathan Germano releasing Williams clear through on goal.
Just as the pacy winger was about to shoot he was clipped by the German defender, giving referee Strebre Delovski no option but to brandish a red card.
But the Wanderers dodged a bullet with Josip Tadic’s penalty saved by goalkeeper Ante Covic down to his left.
Despite the numerical disadvantage it was the home side who then started to dominate the match, with Bridge going close with a low left-foot shot which was well saved by Redmayne.
Bridge then turned creator on the half-hour, producing a delicate chip over the top for Ono who found himself one-on-one with Redmayne but again the keeper produced the goods.
The Heart simply couldn’t get anything going in attack, with their best chances mainly coming from long range.
After a rev-up from coach John Aloisi at the break, the Heart showed a lot more purpose from the resumption and almost went in front through Williams.
Nick Kalmar’s cross was misjudged by La Rocca, allowing Williams to get in behind but his shot from a tight angle flashed into the side netting.
But there was little the Heart could do to prevent the Wanderers taking the lead, as Ono coolly converted from the spot on 73 minutes.
The Heart almost stole an equaliser at the death in a frantic movement which saw Covic block shots from both Williams and Tadic as the home side hung on.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Ono 73 pen)
Melbourne Heart FC 0
