Wanderers star Milos Ninkovic confronts Sydney FC coach Steve Corica after A-League finals derby

Western Sydney Wanderers star Milos Ninkovic had to be dragged from Sydney FC’s dressing rooms after confronting former manager Steve Corica following an explosive Sydney derby.

Sydney claimed a 2-1 victory at CommBank Stadium on Saturday to set up a two-legged A-League semi-final against Melbourne City, knocking their bitter rivals out of the final in the process.

It was the first final meeting between the two clubs in the competition’s history.

It was a nervous affair on the pitch, with tension overflowing in the aftermath as Ninkovic made ready for Sydney’s changing rooms.

Sydney says Ninkovic, quickly marched out of their inner sanctum in view of the media, had gone to confront Corica.

Steve Corica (pictured) later told reporters that Ninkovic was “upset” about the loss

The Serb played for the Sky Blues for seven years before switching to the Wanderers after a row over his status as a visa player.

Western Sydney coach Marko Rudan, who did not name Corica, claimed the Sydney boss set the groundwork for the post-game spat as he aimed a barb at the veteran midfielder during Saturday’s match.

“Milos went in to congratulate his old teammates, and their coach didn’t appreciate him being there,” said Rudan.

“Something happened between those two, which wasn’t pleasant, it was pretty fiery.

‘I haven’t seen Milos yet, I haven’t spoken to him about that.

“But I think it all started in the game where I think their coach said something not very nice to Milos from the sideline, I think it started there.

“That’s football, things like this happen.”

Ninkovic, who continued to scream after being thrown out of Sydney’s dressing rooms, was embroiled in a fight with former teammate Luke Brattan all evening.

There was no love lost between the bitter rivals at CommBank Stadium on Saturday

Sydney claimed a 2–1 victory to set up a two-legged semi-final against Melbourne City

“He’s just mad because he lost the game,” Corica said.

“Of course we have problems with him, but that’s between me and him.”

Ninkovic was shown a yellow card in the second half before being substituted by Rudan.

After his substitution, his former roommate Adam Le Fondre scored the goal that knocked the Wanderers out of the final.

‘I certainly didn’t think so. Ninko is very calm and I heard there was a fight,’ Le Fondre said.

“In a derby there is always a downside, you expect such a hostile, siege mentality from both teams.”

The Wanderers looked good early on, but Sydney finished stronger

The Wanderers had the most chances in the first half, skipper Marcelo flashed a header from close range wide and Ninkovic forced Andrew Redmayne into a fingertip save.

Calem Nieuwenhof helped make the breakthrough as he charged up the field in the 39th minute and tried to send a low cross into the Sydney penalty area.

Luke Brattan was able to block it with his foot, but the ball viciously bounced up and glanced at Alex Wilkinson’s upper arm.

Referee Chris Beath pointed to the spot and after consultation with the VAR the decision was made.

Adam Le Fondre’s header in the 80th minute was the difference between the teams as the Sky Blues progress to the last four

Redmayne pulled out his Wiggles-inspired theatrics, but Schneiderlin kept his composure and moved past the Sydney No. 1 to give the home side a 1–0 lead heading into half time.

It was a complete contrast in the second half, the Wanderers like dead-drunk boxers holding on for life.

In the end, their defensive wall crumbled as Mak took advantage of a sloppy Adama Traore clearance to pull the Sky Blues level.

The loss of defender Tomislav Mrcela forced the Wanderers to realign and although they pressed forward, it was Le Fondre who broke the deadlock.

Le Fondre, the shortest man on the field for the Sky Blues, fizzled a header out of reach of goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas to knock the Wanderers out.