Sydney FC have ended Brisbane Roar’s 36-match unbeaten run with a 2-0 upset victory in wintery conditions at WIN Jubilee Oval on Sunday.
Sydney FC have ended Brisbane Roar’s 36-match unbeaten run with a 2-0 upset victory in wintery conditions at WIN Jubilee Oval on Sunday.
The Sky Blues stunned the visitors when Dimitri Petratos scored after just 36 seconds before Brett Emerton doubled the advantage with a wicked corner kick in the 19th minute.
Both sides had their chances in an entertaining second half but were unable to find the back of the net as Sydney registered a rare victory over their northern rivals.
It is the Roar’s first blemish since their 3-0 defeat to Melbourne Victory on September 12, 2010.
Despite the loss Ange Postecoglou’s men remain three points clear on top of the Hyundai A-League ladder, while Sydney’s first victory in three matches lifts them to third spot on the standings.
It was an impressive display from the Sky Blues who showed a greater willingness to attack than in recent weeks, while the Roar missed the services of midfield ace Thomas Broich, who missed the match with a bruised heel.
The 11,555 fans who braved wet and windy conditions were rewarded for their loyalty almost immediately when Petratos found the back of the net in the opening minute.
Making his first start of the season, the speedy striker pounced on a clever back-heel from Bruno Cazarine and produced a clinical finish from the edge of the penalty box to beat Michael Theoklitos and give the hosts an early 1-0 lead.
It is just the second time this season the Sky Blues have scored the opening goal.
The home side doubled their advantage on 19 minutes when Theoklitos misjudged a sublime corner kick from Emerton.
Referee Peter Green awarded the goal to Emerton, however replays showed Theoklitos should have been charged with an own goal.
Emerton used the strong southerly wind to curl the ball viciously towards the goal and the late swerve deceived the Roar custodian who deflected the ball into the crossbar before it bounced back onto his head and into the back of the net.
The Roar’s best chance arrived in the 40th minute when Ivan Franjic put Issey Nakajima-Farran into space, but the Canadian was unable to find the target from an acute angle to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb in the second half.
A sharp save from Liam Reddy on his near-post denied the visitors in the 48th minute after Besart Berisha unleashed a powerful strike from close range.
Despite running into a stiff breeze, the home side continued to attack and came close to scoring their third on the hour when Petratos found space inside the penalty box – but he was unable to hit the target.
Both teams maintained a frenetic pace until the final whistle to keep the raucous crowd thoroughly entertained despite failing to find the back of the net in the second stanza.
Sydney FC 2 (Petratos 1, Emerton 19)
Brisbane Roar 0
Crowd: 11,555 at WIN Jubilee Oval, Sydney
