Sydney FC came from behind for the second time in two weeks to defeat a 10-man Adelaide United 3-1 and keep its unbeaten away record intact in front of a record crowd of 25,039 in Adelaide tonight.
Sydney FC came from behind for the second time in two weeks to defeat a 10-man Adelaide United 3-1 and keep its unbeaten away record intact in front of a record crowd of 25,039 in Adelaide tonight.
Sydney FC went along way towards claiming its third straight semi final berth but has set sail for an all-important top two position with goals from Brendon Santalab, Steve Corica and Robbie Middleby handing them the win.
The win puts Sydney FC into equal second place with Queensland Roar with three rounds remaining. A second half cameo from Juninho off the bench was another positive for Sydney FC as the Brazilian made a successful return from injury with a strong 25 minute performance.
Sydney FC did go behind early to a Kristian Sarkies goal but for the second time in two weeks they benefited from an opposition player-s brain explosion, this time seeing Adelaide defender sent off in the 20th minute for a foul on Alex Brosque.
From that moment it was all Sydney FC as they played some good football, stretching Adelaide in the hot conditions.
The victory continues Sydney FC-s renaissance under John Kosmina, with the record now standing at five wins, three draws and just one loss in the last nine games.
Kosmina made five changes to the starting line up that defeated the Mariners last weekend. In came Olyroo stars Mark Milligan and Ruben Zadkovich, while goalkeeper Clint Bolton returned after he recovered from injury and youngsters Brendon Santalab and Adam Biddle were handed starts after they impressed off the bench last weekend.
Out went Ufuk Talay (suspended), Mark Robertson (hamstring), Michael Bridges (illness), goalkeeper Ivan Necevski and Nick Tsattalios.
The match started slowly with both teams seemingly unsure of their feet on the super quick Adelaide Oval surface but it was Adelaide that settled first and they took a deserved lead in the 20th minute through Olyroo midfielder Sarkies.
Adelaide broke quickly and following a quick interchange in midfield Bobby Petta whipped in a curling cross that Bolton came for but missed and the ball landed at the feet of Sarkies, who had a simple finish from the edge of the area.
Sydney FC did manage to get into the game following the goal but they received a massive boost in the 33rd minute when Cornthwaite was shown a straight red card for a foul on Alex Brosque, as he was set to shoot on goal.
There could be no arguments about the red card and coupled with the hot conditions it was certainly a turning point. From that point Sydney FC played with width and stretched Adelaide and they gained the ascendancy immediately.
Biddle should have equalised in the 43rd minute when he got in behind the defence and rounded the Adelaide goalkeeper only to see Travis Dodd clear the ball off the line with an outstretched right leg.
The equaliser came less than 60 seconds later when Santalab scored a screamer. He received the ball on the left 35m from goal, cur inside and beat Richie Alagich with a dummy before unleashing a wicked 25m curling shot that smacked into the top right hand corner of the net.
The tide continued to flow Sydney-s way early in the second half as they played a smart expansive game and Corica put the visitors into the lead with a well taken goal in the 54th minute. It was Corica-s third goal in four games.
The goal seemed to take the wind out of Adelaide-s sails and Middleby continued their woes in the 66th minute when he scored Sydney FC-s third goal that did have a tinge of luck about it. Zadkovich received the ball in an off side position and his cross was struck towards goal by Brosque before it was bundled over the line by Middleby.
From that point there was only going to be one winner as Sydney FC dominated possession and territory but could not find another goal as Brosque, Juninho and Santalab all had good chances to add to the Sydney FC goal tally.
Sydney FC 3 (Brendon Santalab 44, Steve Corica 54, Robbie Middleby 67) d Adelaide United 1 (Kristian Sarkies 20)
Adelaide Oval
Referee: Matthew Breeze
Crowd: 25,039 (Adelaide United record crowd)
Sydney FC: Clint Bolton, Iain Fyfe, Tony Popovic (c), Robbie Middleby, Ruben Zadkovich (Juninho 67), Steve Corica, Brendan Santalab (Ben Vidaic 78), Alex Brosque, Terry McFlynn, Mark Milligan, Adam Biddle (Brendan Renaud 65): Sub not used: Ivan Nicevski (gk).
Yellow cards: Iain Fyfe 31, Mark Milligan 40, Robbie Middleby 65, Brendan Renaud 83
Adelaide United: Eugene Galekovic, Richie Alagich (Matthew Mullen 74), Angelo Costanzo, Cassio, Lucas Pantelis, Kristian Sarkies (Jonas Salley 74), Bruce Djite, Travis Dodd (c), Bobby Petta (Milan Susak 46), Robert Cornthwaite, Diego Walsh. Sub not used: Robert Bajic (gk).
Yellow cards: Travis Dodd 28, Eugene Galekovic 66, Cassio 76
Red Cards: Robert Cornthwaite 33
