Sydney FC is back atop the Hyundai A-League after putting three goals past the Newcastle Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium this evening, coming from behind to claim their 13th win of the 2009/10 season.
Sydney FC is back atop the Hyundai A-League after putting three goals past the Newcastle Jets at EnergyAustralia Stadium this evening, coming from behind to claim their 13th win of the 2009/10 season.
After going down a goal in the 32nd minute, the Sky Blues dug deep and through goals to John Aloisi, Stuart Musialik and Chris Payne catapulted back to the top of the competition wita 3-1 win.
In a strong team performance, Aloisi was rewarded for his hard work with a goal on the stroke of half time before the highlight of the match came when Musialik slammed the ball into the back of the Jets net via a swirling 25 yard strike in the 50th minute.
Substitute Chris Payne capped off the valuable away win with an excellent individual run, beating numerous Jets defenders before calmly putting the ball past the Newcastle keeper.
“I want to mention the character of this team. We played well as a team and individually today,” coach Viteslav Lavicka said.
“After last week we wanted to show our fans that we can play and we did. We started actively and strong.
“We were punished with our one mistake but it was very important that we equalised before half time and then Stuey scored with an excellent strike and we get the three points. We are very happy.
“I want to say a big big thank you and how much we appreciate the Sydney FC fans and what they did here today. It was like a home game. They never stopped all game and it was very important to us.”
Sydney FC travel to Brisbane next week to take on the Roar on Saturday 30 January at Suncorp Stadium.
Minus Mark Bridge through injury, the Sky Blues started the game strong and in his first game back from a groin injury, striker Alex Brosque caused the Jets defence headaches with his speed.
Brosque forced Jets keeper Ben Kennedy into an excellent save early on after he received a clever pass from Steve Corica who intercepted an Ange Costanzo header. Brosque unleashed a powerful left foot strike but Kennedy kept it out.
Brosque again almost gave the Sky Blues the lead, when he received the ball via a clever flick pass from Aloisi, only to see his tap on roll slowly past the face.
The Jets took the lead in the 31st minute through Jobe Wheelhouse, who cut in behind the Sydney FC defence and put a good shot past Clint Bolton with his left foot.Sydney continued to toil away and with seconds remaining in the first half, Aloisi finished an excellent passing move between himself, Terry McFlynn and Musialik with his trusty left foot, putting a low drive past Kennedy.
Sydney FC started the second half just as they finished the first, playing with confidence and controlling the tempo with Aloisi and Corica working well up front.
Musialik then dazzled his former club with a stunning individual goal, his first against his former club.
Both sides had a number of half chances after Musialik-s goal but it was Payne, who replaced Aloisi in the 75th minute that rounded a strong Sydney FC win.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 3 (John ALOISI 45-, Stuart MUSIALIK 50-, Chris PAYNE 90+3)
Newcastle Jets 1 (Jobe WHEELHOUSE 31-)
Sydney FC Line-up: 1. Clint BOLTON (gk), 3. Stephan KELLER, 4.Simon COLOSIMO, 6. Karol KISEL, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 9. John ALOISI (16. Chris PAYNE 75-), 10. Steve CORICA (c) (23. Rhyan GRANT 72-) 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE (26. Hayden FOXE 87-),15. Terry MCFLYNN, 19. Mark BRIDGE, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN.
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk),
Yellow Cards: Stephan Keller 69-,
Red Cards: Nil
Goals: John ALOISI 45-, Stuart MUSIALIK 50-, Chris PAYNE 90+3
Newcastle Jets Line-up: 1. Ben KENNEDY(gk), 2. Angel COSTANZO (15. Sean ROONEY 45-), 3. Adam D-APUZZO, 4. Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 5. Ljubo MILICEVIC, 6. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 7. Jin-Hyung SONG, 8. Matthew THOMPSON (c) (25. Labinot HALITI 82-), 11. Tarek ELRICH, 12. Jobe WHEELHOUSE, 14. Michael BRIDGES (26. Ali Abbas 73-),
Substitutes Not Used: 30. Dion SHAW (gk)
Yellow Cards: Adam D-Apuzzo 39-,
Red Cards: Nil
Goals: Jobe WHEELHOUSE 31-
Referee: Peter Green
Attendance: 9,892 at EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle