Sydney FC has snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat in its Hyundai A-League clash with the Queensland Roar, with Stuart Musialik’s dramatic last-gasp goal earning the Sky Blues a well-deserved 1 all result, and a valuable point tonight at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Sydney FC has snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat in its Hyundai A-League clash with the Queensland Roar, with Stuart Musialik-s dramatic last-gasp goal earning the Sky Blues a well-deserved 1 all result, and a valuable point tonight at the Sydney Football Stadium.
It appeared as though Charlie Miller-s long-range strike just after half-time was going to be enough for the Roar to claim the coveted scalps of Melbourne and Sydney within a fortnight, but Musialik-s sublime drive gave Sydney due reward for its attacking endeavour throughout the enthralling encounter.
John Kosmina had no doubt his side was worth at least a point, and was pleased with the team-s perseverance.
“The way we played in the first half we tore them to pieces,” a relaxed Kosmina said after the match. “Their goal rattled us a bit…but the good thing is we kept on going right to the death.”
Two of the Hyundai A-League-s quality sides provided the 12,000 plus crowd with an open and lively affair. For most part, Sydney dictated the tempo of the contest, but had to arrest the momentum back from Queensland after they took a surprise 1-0 lead.
Kossie kept the faith with the same first eleven that went down 2-1 across the Tasman last weekend and there was more purpose in FC-s play in the first stanza as the side kept possession well and moved the ball across the park.
The first half was attractive from both sides – while Sydney dominated possession, Queensland threatened through the pace of their dynamic midfield. Clint Bolton had to launch himself to stave off Reinaldo-s 12th minute effort, getting a strong hand to the Brazilian-s shot across the face of goal.
Stuart Musialik was dictating the pace of the Sky Blues- attack, combining effectively with Shannon Cole out on the right or linking with the side-s roving attacking trio. Cole threatened all night out wide, both with his delivery into the box and neat footwork against Andrew Packer.
Sydney turned their build-up play into a string of chances as the half wore on. John Aloisi was thwarted by a scrambling Hyuk-Su Seo after intricate interplay with Mark Bridge on the edge of the area.
Tony Popovic made Liam Reddy work off the ensuing corner, before Sydney enjoyed its best chance of the half when Musialik played Brosque through the heart of the Roar defence. His right footed effort looked good before floating over the bar.
Charlie Miller stunned the home crowd just three minutes into the second period. He turned thirty metres out from goal and was given too much time and space to seize his options.
Neither Musialik nor McFlynn tracked back, and the defence held off before the Scott drove the ball from the edge of the area to rattle the bottom corner.
The Roar had seized momentary control of the clash as Sydney begun to look jittery in defence.
Kosmina had urged his team to be ruthless in the final third before the match, but for all the home side-s good football, it seemed it would leave empty handed, with half chances to Aloisi, Bridge and Brosque going un-rewarded.
Super-sub Brendon Santalab had the crowd on their feet as he fired from long range, but his effort blazed just over the bar.
The Cove was up in arms with ten left on the clock when they felt they saw a clear handball in the box. While replays showed it clearly flicked the Roar player-s hand, referee Matthew Breeze was not convinced that it was intentional.
The Roar-s outstanding defence and energy looked to be getting the better of the Sky Blues, and Miller had a glorious opportunity to seal the win when he strolled into the box before slicing his shot horribly wide.
The ninety minutes were up and Sydney sent everyone forward into the box.
Musialik revealed that his coach told him at half-time he “was going to bag a goal” after a sharp week at training. With that in mind, the midfield maestro peeled off to the edge of the box, brought down Cole-s long throw and rifled the ball home into the bottom corner for his first goal in an FC shirt to a delirious Sydney reception.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 1
Queensland Roar 1
Sydney FC: 1.Clint BOLTON (gk), 2. Iain FYFE, 6. Tony POPOVIC (c), 7. Rob MIDDLEBY, 8. Stuart MUSIALIK, 10. Steve CORICA (11. Brendan SANTALAB 62-), 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 15. Terry MCFLYNN, 19. Mark BRIDGE , 23. John ALOISI.
Substitutes not used: 5. Mitchell PRENTICE, 18. Adam CASEY, 20. Ivan NECESVSKI (gk).
Yellow Cards: Musialik 86-.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Musialik 90-+3
Queensland Roar: 1.Liam REDDY (gk), 2. Andrew PACKER, 4. Craig MOORE (c), 8. Massimo MURDOCCA (7. Michael ZULLO 90-), 9. Serginho VAN DIJK (22. Robbie KRUSE 66-), 10. Charlie MILLER, 11. REINALDO, 15. Matthew McKAY, 16. Hyuk-Su SEO, 18. Danny TIATTO (6. David DODD 63-), 24. Matthew MUNDY
Substitute not used: 20. Griffin McMASTER (gk).
Yellow Cards: Miller 45-+1.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Miller 48-.
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Crowd: 12,403
