Sydney FC hold on to Claim Top of the Table

By: Michael Turner | October 25th, 2009

Dwight at Sydney Over 8,000 fans (plus Dwight Yorke) witnessed Sydney FC claim the top of the table this afternoon at the Sydney Football Stadium. A scoreless first half left some fans sceptical, but 2 goals in 15 minutes sealed the match. Brisbane did score on 73′, however that did little to stop Sydney in front of their smallest home crowd this season.

Despite a shaky start, Sydney had the first clear cut chance within 20 minutes, with Mark Bridge knocking Corica’s cross wide. Bridge not using all the time he had. Three minutes later, youngster Mitch Nichols’ header forced a top save from custodian Bolton. Tommy Oar’s shot soon after rattled some nerves and showed the danger that Brisbane possessed. Alex Brosque’s header at the opposite end went close soon after, flying just past McMaster’s left hand post.

Beachball With the first half coming to a close, it stayed relatively too close to call, with both sides coming close to goals. When the match kicked off again, in what seems to have become a regular fixture at games now, a beach ball took the camera’s attention. This time however it didn’t affect procedings.

On 51′, Brisbane lost Reinaldo to an injury, and to make matters worse, conceded three minutes later. Corica’s header into the box found Brosque, who beat Josh McCloughan before hitting the back of the net.

All of a sudden, Sydney were looking stronger, when Kisel scored on the 69′ minute. Alex Brosque’s through ball was latched on perfectly by Kisel, before he smashed it into the back of the net. After almost half a season, Kisel had scored his first Sky Blues goal, and celebrated with two kisses to each wrist. Hopefully we can see more of Kisel, and make that celebration a regular sight at the SFS. 86231635MK011_A_League_Rd_1

Brisbane looked to turn the match on its head, with a possible comeback, after Cernak, who replaced Reinaldo latched onto a cross with a volley going past an outstretched Clint Bolton.

With most Sydney fans biting their nails throughout the rest half hour, it wasn’t until 5 minutes into injury time where things got oh so scary for the Sky Blues. A number of shots were blocked courageously by the Sydney defenders, before Franjic’s cross went in front of an empty goal before being cleared by Ryall. In the end, the 2-1 result was the right one, as Sydney claimed their rightful spot at the top of the table.

Sydney FC: 1. Clint BOLTON (GK), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 4. Simon COLOSIMO, 6. Karol KISEL (17. Matthew JURMAN ‘90+1), 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 10. Steve CORICA (c) (9. John Aloisi ‘61), 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN, 19. Mark BRIDGE (34. Rhyan GRANT ‘81), 22. Sung Hwan BYUN.

Unused Sub: 20. Ivan Necevski (GK)

Yellow Cards: Sung Hwan BYUN ‘90+5
Red Cards: Nil

Goals: 14. Alex BROSQUE ‘55, 6. Karol KISEL ‘69

Brisbane Roar: 20. Griffin MCMASTER (gk), 3. Luke DEVERE, 5. Josh MCCLOUGHAN (c), 9. Sergio van DIJK, 11. REINALDO (19. Isaka CERNAK ‘53), 12. Matt MUNDY (2. Andrew Packer ‘67), 15. Matt MCKAY, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 21. Tommy OAR, 27. Ivan FRANJIC, 29. Mario KARLOVIC.

Unused Substitutes: 40. Verdran JANJETOVIC (gk), 6. David DODD

Yellow Cards: 2. Andrew PACKER ‘77
Red Cards: Nil

Goals: 19. Isaka CERNAK ‘73

Referee: Matthew Breeze
Officials: Ben Wilson, Scott Edeling

8,456 at the Sydney Football Stadium

Match Stats Courtesy of A-League.com and SMH.com