A-League: Sydney FC beat Brisbane Roar 3-1
Sydney FC’s foreign contingent proved the difference as the Sky Blues recovered from a second-half scare to beat struggling Brisbane Roar 3-1 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
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Update: Interim Roar coach Darren Davies was left to lament the quality of Sydney FC’s bench and foreign contingent as the Sky Blues recovered from a second-half scare to beat Brisbane 3-1 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Having taken the lead inside the first minute through defender Aaron Calver, the Sydneysiders went into cruise mode and seemed to have paid the price when the Roar equalised with 22 minutes remaining through French winger Eric Bautheac.
But with the game on the line, the Sky Blues showed their class and depth.
English striker Adam Le Fondre’s 15th goal of the season put the visitors back ahead in the 77th minute, and a classy finish from Dutch substitute Siem de Jong in the 89th minute sealed second-placed Sydney’s win.
Both of the Sydneysiders’ late goals involved Iranian substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad, as the class of their foreigners, as well as the bench, proved decisive.
De Jong’s goal was particularly memorable as the beat Roar goalkeeper Jamie Young from a tight angle, squeezing the ball between the Brisbane gloveman and the post.
Sydney’s win, in front of just 8059 fans, moved them to within six points of leaders Perth Glory, who host third-placed Melbourne Victory on Saturday night.
The Roar’s defeat was their 14th in what has been a miserable for the three-time A-League champions who will miss the finals for the first time since 2010.
“They’re good players, aren’t the
y?” Davies said in a referring to a Sydney bench that included Ghoochannejhad, de Jong, former Fiorentina midfielder Josh Brillante and the skilful Danny De Silva, who wasn’t even required.
“When players like that come on and have an influence on the game the way they did … we just have to dust ourselves down (and) move on.
“Four (games) to go now.”
Sydney made the perfect start on Friday night, going ahead after just 40 seconds.
Taking advantage of woeful defending from the Roar, unmarked Calver headed home a Brandon O’Neill free-kick.
Little else was created until Sydney had a chance to double their lead in the 62nd minute Alex Brosque forced a save out of Young.
The Sydneysiders had another opportunity two minutes later when Brosque laid off a square ball to Le Fondre, who blazed his shot over the crossbar.
The Roar, wearing maroon in the “State of Origin” clash”, showed some famous Queensland spirit when they made a game of it in the 68th minute with a Bautheac equaliser.
Substitute Nick D’Agostino was the provider with a dangerous cross that found the marquee man unmarked at the far post.
However, the Roar’s joy was short-lived, with Sydney’s late goals to Le Fondre and de Jong ensuring there wasn’t to be a repeat of last month’s Brisbane’s come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Steve Corica-coached Sky Blues at the same venue.
“We needed three points. It’s been a difficult place to come here for us,” Corica said.
“Having the quality on the bench that we had to come on, it helps.
“There’s a lot of competition for places at the moment which is great for us.”
SYDNEY FC 3 (Aaron Calver 1m, Adam Le Fondre 77m, Siem de Jong 89m) BRISBANE ROAR 1 (Eric Bautheac 68m) at Suncorp Stadium. Crowd: 8,059. Referee: Stephen Lucas
Originally published as A-League: Sydney FC beat Brisbane Roar 3-1
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