Sydney FC will finish the year ten points clear at the top of the Hyundai A-League ladder following a classy 2-0 win over Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
A goal in each half was just reward for the home side’s dominance, while the Sky Blues were able to see out the result despite being reduced to ten men for the final half-hour.
It was a mixed evening for Sky Blues skipper Alex Brosque, who netted the opener and had multiple chances to bag a double, before he saw red for an unnecessary challenge.
Serbian midfielder Milos Ninkovic had doubled the advantage for Graham Arnold’s men just prior to the incident, finishing with aplomb after being played through on goal by teammate Bobo.
Brisbane created plenty of chances of their own whilst trailing by a solitary goal with Dimitri Petratos hitting the side netting with a second effort and Manuel Arana volleying against the crossbar.
However Sydney FC were deserving of the three points, extending their unbeaten start to the campaign, while Brisbane suffered just their second defeat of the season.
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GOALS
1-0 Sydney FC: Alex Brosque, 36’
An incisive run from Bobo attracted a couple of Brisbane defenders before he laid the ball off for his skipper who slotted it inside the far post to register his eighth goal of the campaign.
2-0 Sydney FC: Milos Ninkovic, 62’
A deft ball in behind Roar’s defence from Bobo gave Ninkovic a one-on-one chance with Theo. The Serbian buried the ball in the back of the net to put his side two goals to the good.
RED CARD
Alex Brosque picked up a second yellow card for kicking out a Luke DeVere as the pair competed for the ball, forcing his side to play the final half hour with ten men.
OPTA DATA
- Sydney FC remains unbeaten this season, extending their record for the best ever start in the Hyundai A-League to 13 matches.
- The result was Brisbane Roar’s first loss in six matches away from Suncorp Stadium.
CROWD
16,510 at Allianz Stadium
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