Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Sydney FC coach Patrick Kisnorbo says the Sky Blues must “learn to be better” after being knocked out of the Australia Cup by Melbourne Victory.
The Sydneysiders’ dreams of winning the Cup were dashed in a 2-0 semi-final loss at Jubilee Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was only Sydney’s second loss in 12 competitive games since Kisnorbo’s appointment in late March.
However, both of the defeats have come in high-stakes matches, with the other loss being a 1-0 defeat in last season’s A-League grand final against Auckland FC.
“It’s disappointing,” Kisnorbo said.
“This is the second time in (less than four) months that we walk away empty-handed. It doesn’t feel great, but we’ve got to learn to be better.”
Kisnorbo said Wednesday’s loss was “hard to take”.
“Especially when you dominate a game like that. We dominated the game pretty much from start to finish,” he said.
Kisnorbo was unhappy that Sky Blues midfielder Joe Lacey lost possession in just the second minute of the game.
It was an error that led to Victory taking the lead through a goal from Keegan Jelacic.
“We shouldn’t have lost the ball,” he said.
“We can’t do that to ourselves, especially from the start.”
Victory doubled its lead via a second-half own goal from Sydney defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins.
In between, the Sky Blues should have had a penalty when Victory goalkeeper Jack Duncan made contact with the head of Sydney’s Japanese midfielder Takahiro Sekine in a failed attempt to punch a Jake Hollman cross to safety.
“We all know it was a penalty. Nights like that happen in football,” Kisnorbo said.
A positive for the Sky Blues was the club debut of former Manchester United academy right-back James Overy, who was a second-half replacement for Sydney captain Rhyan Grant.
“I wanted James to come on and attack a bit. It was good that he was available for selection and got some minutes under his belt,” Kisnorbo said.
“We need to continue that.”
Kisnorbo’s men start their A-League campaign with a derby against Western Sydney Wanderers on October 16 at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues have unveiled their Under Armour home kit for the 2026-27 A-League season, with the jersey featuring “an organic linear texture inspired by Sydney’s unique connection between land, sea and sky”.
Grant said the new jersey “captured the essence of the club and the city”.
“I’m excited to get to wear the new kit this season, and proud to represent the beautiful city of Sydney that we get to play for,” the Sky Blues skipper said.
