Roar v Sydney

A-League report by Adrian Demack
Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC


Brisbane have gotten past reigning A-League champions Sydney FC tonight at Suncorp Stadium in front of more than 10,000 fans by a goal to nil.

Sydney's night was never going to be easy, missing the first choice strike pairing of Brosque and Bridge through injury. Kofi Danning started up front for the Sky Blues with Nick Carle in the whole, but didn't have any luck, the closest he got to the ball was chasing it while Brisbane moved it across the back.

The Roar also lined up without a true striker, seemingly by choice. Lining up in a 4-4-2 with Nichols and Broich, usually both attacking midfielders, named up front, and Barbarouses and Henrique on the wings.

From the first whistle Sydney looked in for a tough night with the roar dominating possession. But this is a familiar sign for the Roar, dominating the ball but not being able to finish and a momentary lapse letting the opposition in.

But 17 minutes in, Brisbane appeared to have their break through when a beautiful curling free kick into the box from Matt McKay came off a Sydney defender towards the goal. Ex-Roar ‘keeper Liam Reddy pounced on the ball as it was on the line. Television replays showed the ball was almost definitely across the line but the linesman and the referee waved play on, much to the disgust of the Brisbane crowd.

Brisbane were still lacking the finishing touches, with pass after pass being knocked about, but no-one in a good enough position, nor willing to, take the shot.

Up the other end of the pitch Sydney had few chances in the first half. Carle showed some nice touches, but nothing towards goal, and Danning, though extremely mobile, was getting extremely frustrated by his lack of ball.

When the sides swapped ends Liam Reddy was defending from the Supporter's end. Clearly the Den had been prepared for this as a barrage of chants and torments were hurled his way, ranging from the witty to the more simple two word insults that typically indicate feelings of resentment.

But the Roar faithful needn't worry themselves for long. In the 53rd minute he Roar strung together some short passes and flicks outside the box before Hayden Foxe cut out Barbarouses back heel to Henrique. Unfortunately this fell to Brisbane captain Matt McKay who took one touch to take the ball away from Foxe, and from the top of the box on his weaker right foot drove for the bottom corner past Liam Reddy. A deserved lead for the home team.

As is the way in football, you are most vunerable just after you've scored with a great cross and header from Grant just clipping the top of the bar almost directly from the restart. But that seemed to be the extent of Sydney's comeback. Both Carle and Danning were subbed for Moriyasu and Gan respectively, but neither really contributed any more for the Sydney attack.

Kosta Barbarouses did however squander a chance to double the advantage when a clearance from a Roar corner ricocheted off Shane Stefanutto's head into the path of Barbarouses one on one with the 'keeper. His shot however was poorly struck and ended up straight at Reddy who saved the poor attempt.

The Roar held on for their first home win of the campaign, and looked well on top of an admittedly under-strength Sydney who looked quite poor. Without the "Killer B's" they seem to lack the finishing touches, but also struggled holding it in midfield.