SYDNEY (AP) - Brazilian striker Bobo’s 11th goal of the season in the 50th minute gave Sydney FC a 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory, all but clinching first place in the A-League.
Sydney, 11 points clear of second-placed Victory, needs only four points from its remaining five regular-season matches to win the team’s first Premiers’ Plate ahead of the playoffs.
The Sky Blues have lost only one match this season and have 16 wins and five draws.
“There’s still 15 points to go, we’re in a great position, our destiny is in our own hands,” said Sydney coach Graham Arnold.
In other matches, the Perth Glory scored a late goal to draw against the Wellington Phoenix 3-3. And the Western Sydney Wanderers played to a scoreless draw with Adelaide United.
On Sunday, Melbourne City moved into third place with a 3-2 win over the Central Coast Mariners. In the final match of the 22nd round, the Brisbane Roar beat Newcastle 3-1 to pull level on points with City but behind on goal difference, leaving the Roar in fourth.
Perth holds down fifth place and Western Sydney is in the sixth and final playoff spot with 25 points, two ahead of Wellington and three ahead of Newcastle.
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