Brisbane Roar slump to fourth straight loss as Sydney FC continue winning run

Ben Cahn’s hopes of starting his Brisbane Roar coaching tenure with a win have been dashed by Sydney FC striker Fabio Gomes.

Sydney FC players celebrate one of Fabio Gomes’ two goals in Brisbane. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

The appointment of new coach Ben Cahn has failed to stem the bleeding in Brisbane, with a brace from Fabio Gomes securing Sydney FC a third successive A-League win and condemning the Roar to a fourth straight loss.

The fast-starting Sky Blues won 2-1 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, with Gomes giving Sydney the lead after just 52 seconds.

The Brazilian ace doubled his side’s advantage in the 41st minute, before the Roar scored in first-half stoppage time through winger Nikola Mileusnic.

However, Brisbane couldn’t find a second goal, with captain Tom Aldred having a great chance to score in the dying stages only to be denied by Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.

The Sky Blues’ win at least temporarily moved them into the top six, while the Roar’s slide down the ladder continued after what had been a good start to the season under recently departed mentor Ross Aloisi.

Cahn, who took over last Monday from interim coach Luc Trani after Brisbane’s embarrassing 8-1 loss to Melbourne City, admired his side’s “fight” and “character” but admitted the Roar “lacked quality”.

“But in terms of a starting point from where we were last week, it’s really good progress and it’s something to build on going into the next run of games,” Cahn told Network 10.

Ben Cahn has started his Roar tenure with a loss. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Cahn’s tenure started in the worst possible way, with the Sky Blues scoring inside the first minute.

It was all too easy for the visitors, with impressive youngster Jaiden Kucharski floating a ball to the far post, where Brazilian striker Gomes headed home from close range.

Sydney continued to attack, and were close to doubling their lead inside the first 10 minutes when a Kucharski was tipped on to the post by recalled Roar goalkeeper Macklin Freke.

Brisbane’s gloveman Freke was kept busy throughout the first half, with classy English winger Joe Lolley among those to force a save out of him.

However, the Sky Blues weren’t to be denied a deserved second goal, and it was Lolley who was the architect.

The former Nottingham Forest attacker got the better of Roar centre-back Aldred before laying the ball into the path of Gomes, whose clever back heel was too good for defender Kai Trewin and keeper Freke.

However, against the run of play, the hosts sliced Sydney’s lead in half.

Fed by a glorious pass from French playmaker Florin Berenguer, pacy winger Mileusnic sprung Sydney’s offside trap before charging into the penalty area and smashing the ball into the back of the net.

Sydney rarely threatened in the second half, and finished the match with concerns over the fitness of key trio Gomes (hand), Jack Rodwell (calf) and Robert Mak (quad).

Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay was pleased with his side’s first-half performance.

“The second-half, maybe not so good,” Talay said.

“At times we got picked off, but … we defended quite well. Overall, it’s always tough coming to Brisbane and it’s a very important three points for us.”

Originally published as Brisbane Roar slump to fourth straight loss as Sydney FC continue winning run