Sydney FC win Australia Cup final 3-1 over Brisbane Roar

The heartache in finales has come again for Brisbane, this time as the Roar were defeated 3-1 by Sydney FC, who claimed the Australia Cup for the second time.

Sydney FC are Australia Cup champions. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Sydney FC has lifted the Australia Cup for the second time after fighting back from a goal down to beat a plucky Brisbane Roar 3-1 in Saturday night’s final at Allianz Stadium.

A second-half brace from Brazilian substitute Fabio Gomes and a goal from Slovak attacker Robert Mak secured the Sky Blues the Cup after the Roar had taken an 18th minute lead through teenage sensation Thomas Waddingham.

Waddingham’s fourth goal in five Australia Cup matches was part of a dominant first-half display from the Roar.

However, Sydney regrouped at the break to take control of the contest in the second half.

Gomes scored from the penalty spot to equalise in the 67th minute after a handball offence from Roar attacking weapon Henry Hore.

Fabio Gomes scored twice for Sydney. (Photo by Izhar KHAN / AFP)

With momentum on their side, the Sky Blues went ahead five minutes when Mak scored from close range after taking advantage of a pinpoint low cross from English winger Joe Lolley, who was a constant menace out wide.

Gomes then sealed Sydney’s win, and another Cup to add to the club’s 2017 success in the knockout competition, in stoppage time with a goal that was allowed despite Sky Blues defender Rhyan Grant being in an off-side position.

The Roar’s loss means they are still chasing their first piece of silverware since 2014.

The defeat also added to the losing run for Brisbane sporting teams in finals after the NRL’s Broncos and the AFL’s Lions lost their competition deciders last weekend.

However, the Roar’s encouraging Cup run will give them confidence going into the upcoming A-League season.

Brisbane dominated the first half, and were rewarded in the 18th minute with a goal from Waddingham.

Having got behind Sydney’s defence, Hore delivered a dangerous cross into the path of Nikola Mileusnic, whose shot was blocked by Grant.

Thomas Waddingham gave the Roar an early lead. (Photo by Izhar KHAN / AFP)

Waddingham was first to react to the loose ball to stab it past Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.

Sydney defender Jake Girdwood-Reich was lucky not to be sent off in the 39th minute for a brutal challenge that collected the head of Hore.

Referee Ben Abraham issued Girdwood-Reich a yellow card for the foul, but had the VAR system been in operation, there is little doubt the Sky Blues teenager would have been given his marching orders.

Sydney’s best chance of the first half came in the eighth minute, but midfielder Anthony Caceres’ shot was well saved by Roar goalkeeper Macklin Freke.

However, the Sky Blues were to prove more clinical in the second-half to not only seal Cup glory, but also a spot in Asian competition in the 2024-25 AFC Cup.

Originally published as Sydney FC win Australia Cup final 3-1 over Brisbane Roar