Sydney FC are on the verge of the AFC Asian Champions League last 16 for the first time, after a Milos Ninkovic second-half strike secured a scrappy 1-0 victory over Pohang Steelers at the Sydney Football Stadium on Tuesday night.
After the Sky Blues beat Pohang in Korea less than three weeks ago, Graham Arnold's side were favoured to repeat the dose, particularly after the K-League outfit left out most of their first-team regulars.
But after a first-half arm-wrestle, a 51st minute Ninkovic strike ultimately saved Sydney's blushes as the hosts made it three wins from four ACL outings, to remain top of the group.
Despite Sydney's A-League woes, which includes an 11-game winless run - dating back to their 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on 16 January, consecutive wins over the 2009 Champions League winners, Pohang, has the Sky Blues well-placed to move into the ACL round of 16.
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