Brisbane Roar’s upset victory over Sydney FC at Suncorp on Saturday night has fuelled a new-found confidence in Ange Postecoglou’s squad, while the Sky Blues have been left feeling flat as their premiership chances suffered a massive hit.
Sydney entered the game as unbackable favourites and knowing a win against the hapless Roar would take it to the top of the table. But it left Brisbane frustrated and disappointed after a myriad of missed chances resulted in its fourth straight game without a win after Roar striker Sergio van Dijk netted the only goal of the match in the final minutes.
The struggling Brisbane Roar came to Suncorp in eighth position, without a win since mid-December, and knowing they needed a win to keep their season alive. After 90 minutes they left with a fighting victory, a vital three points and renewed hope for finals football.
Sydney captain Steve Corica and coach Vitezslav Lavicka were both visibly disheartened after the match, their comments showing just how disappointed they were to lose a game they had so many opportunities to win.
“I have to congratulate their team for victory. Football is something cruel, but I think it’s fair. We created several opportunities and possibilities to score, but we didn’t,” said Lavicka.
Corica, who played brilliantly for the losing side, was taken off late in the second half and was forced to watch from the sidelines as his team conceded in the closing minutes.
“It’s tough to watch your team concede a goal. I think we were the better team tonight. We had our chances and we really could have wrapped it up by halftime. That’s football,” he said.
“We knew we could have gone top today. We have two very tough games (to go). Now it’s going to be tough.”
Meanwhile, a jubilant Postecoglou, with a rare occasion for high spirits, was happy to heap credit on his men, and glad to have given the home fans a good result.
“It was a big night for the club. It was our last home game. Obviously we’ve been through a pretty tough season, for players, staff and supporters. I was pretty keen to at least give them something this year and it keeps our finals hopes alive as well,” he said.
“They (supporters) are the biggest part of the club. I think sometimes people lose sight of that. Players, coaches, we’ll all come and go, but supporters will be there for life. You’ve got to give them something.”
“The boys responded magnificently, they did just about everything right. It was a good game of football. Sydney had some chances, but they’re a good team.”
“To come away with three points in such a big night for the club, I was pretty pleased with that.”
On paper, Brisbane’s next assignment against last-placed Adelaide should be a great opportunity to take another three points and build momentum heading into the finals, but in a season of twists and turns there can be no certainties – just ask Corica.
“At the moment anyone can beat anyone in this league. It showed today, it showed last night (when Melbourne lost), there’s a lot of surprises in the A-league,” he said.
