Milos Ninkovic probably owes Alex Brosque a drink.
Had his captain not been in excellent touch, the Serbian could well have been left red-faced at Jubilee Stadium.
Ninkovic uncharacteristically squandered a succession of chances to score his first goal of the season against Central Coast Mariners on Friday night, with just two of his five shots ending up on target and none in the back of the net.
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As it was, 35-year-old Brosque was there to ensure Sydney FC overcame an early hiccup on the way to an ultimately resounding 5-2 triumph.
The Sky Blues skipper erased Connor Pain’s first-half opener with a delightful backheel in the 49th minute, buried a determined second just prior to the hour and then completed a glorious 15-minute treble with a splendid chip to make certain of his team’s fourth successive victory.
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It was the evergreen forward’s maiden Hyundai A-League hat-trick and further underlined the important role he continues to occupy under Steve Corica, having started every match amid Trent Buhagiar’s long-term injury absence.
“Alex Brosque was unbelievable, he was excellent,” Corica said after the match.
“I’m very pleased for Brosquey. I’m not surprised because I know what he can do. With the ball Brosque was quality tonight. He’s doing such a great job.”
The former Caltex Socceroo was withdrawn on 81 minutes, his work more than accomplished despite registering the fewest touches of any Sydney FC starter.
Even accounting for the advancing years which might occasionally curb his influence, Brosque clearly still has the ability to spare his team-mates from seemingly perilous situations.
