Sydney FC became the first team to go through a Hyundai A-League season undefeated away from home after a 0-0 draw with Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium in the penultimate round on Sunday night.
Sydney FC became the first team to go through a Hyundai A-League season undefeated away from home after a 0-0 draw with Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium in the penultimate round on Sunday night.
Sydney FC won five games and drew five times on the road after both teams had to settle for a point that has set up an enthralling last round of the competition.
Four teams are now locked on 31 competition points after Queensland dominated possession but Sydney had the better chances in front of 31,933 fans, the highest crowd of the 2007/08 Hyundai A-League season.
The atmosphere at Suncorp Stadium was a teasing entrée to what will be an amazing week of football around the country, and that is before the semi finals start.
Sydney FC Coach Kosmina put his faith in the same starting 11 that defeated Wellington 2-0 last outing, going into the game with Michael Bridges and Juninho waiting to make an impact off the bench along with Adam Biddle and reserve goalkeeper Ivan Necevski.
Queensland suffered a late blow when Olyroo hopeful Robbie Kruse pulled out of the match just 10 minutes before kick off when he re-injured his hamstring during the warm up.
There was plenty at stake in the match and it was Queensland that tried to force the pace in the early stages, pushing forward in big numbers, particularly down Sydney-s left-hand side.
Sydney on the other hand was happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, preferring to hit Queensland on the break with some fast ball movement.
Queensland had a large share of possession in the first half but it was Sydney FC that created the better chances.
Steve Corica found himself one-on-one with young Roar goalkeeper Griffin McMaster in the 9th minute only to see a tremendous last-ditched tackle from former Socceroo Danny Tiatto save the home side.
Three minutes later Alex Brosque also created half a yard after a quick break and after cutting inside forced McMaster into a good save low to his right.
Just when Sydney started to gain the ascendancy, Queensland brought its mobile players into the game with Taj Minneicon and Michael Zullo causing havoc on the flanks.
Queensland had Sydney FC under the pump for the 15 minutes leading into the break but couldn-t fashion a clear-cut opening and Sydney FC held on to get to half time with the scores locked at 0-0.
The second half followed a similar trend with Queensland keeping possession well but a resolute Sydney FC defence restricted the home side-s chances.
With neither team able to break the deadlock, Kosmina threw Bridges and Juninho into the game midway through the second period but they were unable to conjure up a goal that would have sent them to outright leadership of the Hyundai A-League.
As the second half wore on both sides opened up and had late chances to snatch victory but it was not to be and they joined Newcastle and the Mariners at the top of the table.
Sydney FC finishes the regular season with a massive clash against Melbourne Victory in front of a 20,000+ crowd at the Sydney Football Stadium next Sunday. Kick off is at 5.00pm.
Sydney FC 0 drew Queensland Roar 0
Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Mark Shield
Crowd: 31,933
Sydney FC: Clint Bolton, Iain Fyfe, Tony Popovic (captain), Robbie Middleby, Ruben Zadkovich, Steve Corica (Adam Biddle 80), Brendon Santalab (Michael Bridges 57), Alex Brosque, Terry McFlynn, Ufuk Talay, Brendan Renaud (Juninho 64). Subs not used: Ivan Necevski (gk).
Yellow cards: Terry McFlynn 16
Queensland Roar: Griffin McMaster, Andrew Packer, Craig Moore (captain), Josh McLoughlan, Michael Zullo (Marcinho 67), Massimo Murdocca, Simon Lynch (Mitch Nichols 78), Taj Minniecon, Matt McKay, Danny Tiatto, Saso Ognenovski. Subs not used: Ben Griffin, Marko Sutalo (gk).
Yellow cards: Andrew Packer 33, Simon Lynch 40
