Serious knee injury to sideline Sydney FC midfielder Luke Brattan for season

Luke Brattan’s first appearance in Sydney FC’s new campaign was also his last after he suffered a serious knee injury.

Patrick Wood was among Sydney FC’s goal scorers at Belmore Sports Ground. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Sydney FC star Luke Brattan will be sidelined for the 2021-22 A-League season after suffering a serious knee injury in the Sky Blues’ 4-2 FFA Cup win over Sydney Olympic.

Brattan was forced off the field in the dying stages of the first half at Belmore Sports Ground on Wednesday night.

Brattan had scans on Thursday afternoon, with results confirming the worst fears of Sky Blues coach Steve Corica – the 31-year-old midfielder has torn his anterior cruciate ligament.

“Obviously, it’s not very good – he’s out for the whole season,” Corica said.

“It’s very disappointing for him and the club.”

Luke Brattan is facing a lengthy period on the sidelines. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Brattan missed last weekend’s opening round of the A-League season through suspension after being sent off in Sydney FC’s 3-1 grand final loss to Melbourne City last season.

Wednesday night’s FFA Cup round-of-32 clash was Brattan’s first appearance of the Sydneysiders’ new campaign.

His long-term injury is a huge blow for the Sydneysiders in their bid to regain the A-League from City, with Brattan one of the competition’s most accomplished and talented midfielders.

Despite Brattan’s injury, goals from Adam Le Fondre, Patrick Wood, Elvis Kamsoba and Trent Buhagiar were enough on Wednesday night for the A-League heavyweights, who had suffered an early scare when NPL NSW club Olympic went ahead 1-0 through an Adam Parkhouse goal.

“I thought Sydney Olympic did really well in the first half. They put us under pressure and created chances and the goal got their confidence up,” Corica said.

The Sky Blues recovered to lead 3-1 before an Olympic goal in the 82nd minute through Ben van Meurs ensured a tight finish.

Buhagiar’s stoppage-time goal sealed a round-of-16 berth for Corica’s men.

“In the end it was comfortable, but they fought all the way until the end and when they got their second goal, it shocked us a little bit, Corica said.

“Three games in one week in the first week of the A-League season is always going to be difficult.

“We’ve got a few players injured and another one tonight with Brattan going down, so the squad is going to be tested.”

In Wednesday night’s FFA Cup playoff match in Adelaide, Melbourne Victory beat Perth Glory 4-3 in a penalty shootout after scores were locked at 1-1 at the end of normal time and extra time.

The Victory’s win earns then a round-of-32 clash next week against NPL South Australia club Adelaide City.

Originally published as Serious knee injury to sideline Sydney FC midfielder Luke Brattan for season