Sydney FC secure a spot in the A-League’s top six with victory over Brisbane

Sydney FC can celebrate a return to finals football, but for Brisbane Roar, their top-six hopes are over.

Sydney FC players celebrate with their fans after beating Brisbane Roar. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Sydney FC have sealed a return to finals football with a 2-0 win over Brisbane that also ended the Roar’s faint hopes of finishing in the top six.

Attacking weapons Robert Mak and Adam Le Fondre each scored at Suncorp Stadium on Monday night to guarantee the Sky Blues – who finished a disappointing eighth on the A-League ladder last season – a berth in next month’s finals series.

The Roar had to win to retain any hope of qualifying for the six-team finals series.

However, with the loss, the Queenslanders have put themselves in danger of finishing with the wooden spoon.

The hosts had their chances, but the Sky Blues were far more clinical when it mattered to send a warning to their finals rivals not to write them off despite what has been a topsy-turvy season for the Steve Corica-coached team.

Sydney’s win was also a fitting way to celebrate captain Alex Wilkinson’s 600th appearance as a professional player.

Sydney FC’s Robert Mak celebrates scoring against Brisbane Roar. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“The most important thing tonight was to get the win and secure a spot in the finals,” Wilkinson told Paramount +.

“That’s two wins in a row now for us, and we’ll try to go for three in a row next week (in the final round of the regular season) and continue the form going into the finals.

“Once the finals start it’s a completely different ball game. It’s like a mini season in itself and form goes out the window a little bit.

“If we can go into the finals with three wins in a row and our confidence high, then we’ll give it our best shot.”

Sydney’s only concern to come out of the win was a hamstring injury that forced goalscorer Mak off just before half-time.

“Hopefully it’s nothing too serious because he’s been in great form,” Wilkinson said.

Slovakian international attacker Mak gave the visitors the lead in the 34th minute with a classy finish after being fed by teammate Joe Lolley.

Former Nottingham Forest winger Lolley continued to torment Brisbane’s defence, with Roar goalkeeper Jordan Holmes coming up with a fine save to prevent the Englishman doubling Sydney’s advantage in the 39th minute.

The Roar then had a great chance to equalise a few minutes shy of half-time but midfielder Taras Gomulka directed his shot straight at Sydney keeper Andrew Redmayne,

The Roar dominated the early stages of the second half, with Socceroo Redmayne producing a fine double save on the hour mark to deny Stefan Scepovic and Jay O’Shea.

Having weathered the storm, the Sky Blues sealed their win in the 77th minute when Le Fondre scored after some more good work on the right from man-of-the-match Lolley.

Roar captain Tom Aldred was disappointed with his side’s failure to make the most of their chances.

“It’s the reason why we are where we are,” Aldred said.

“We’ve not scored enough goals and if you don’t score goals, you don’t win games.”

Originally published as Sydney FC secure a spot in the A-League’s top six with victory over Brisbane