Sydney FC suffered a 5-1 loss to defending Hyundai A-League Champions Brisbane Roar at Virgin Australia Stadium in Mackay tonight.
Sydney FC suffered a 5-1 loss to defending Hyundai A-League Champions Brisbane Roar at Virgin Australia Stadium in Mackay tonight.
The Sky Blues went into battle without Pascal Bosschaart, Adam Griffiths, Joel Chianese and Yairo Yau while star Italian recruit Alessandro Del Piero was arriving in Australia to start his two year stint with Sydney FC.
Sky Blues Coach Ian Crook also gave Vedran Janjetovic his first Sydney FC start with regular custodian Ivan Necevski watching from the stands.
Socceroo midfielder Brett Emerton started the match in yet another positive step following off season ankle surgery and he played 45 minutes.
Young striker Mitch Mallia was rewarded for his good recent form with a starting spot in Crook-s side and he didn-t disappoint, scoring for the third consecutive week against A-League opposition with a first half header.
It was Brisbane who scored the opening goal of the game when Thomas Broich cut in from the right hand side and found the back of the net with a thumping left-foot shot in the 25th minute.
Boom Sydney FC youngster Terry Antonis came close to levelling the scores but was denied by a brilliant save by Brisbane ‘keeper Michael Theoklitos but the equaliser came just before half time when Mallia leapt high to head home in the 44th minute.
The teams went to the break level at 1-1 with Crook bringing Emerton and captain Terry McFlynn from the field to rotate his squad ahead of the season opener against Wellington on 6 October.
Brisbane nudged back in front in the 55th minute when Sky Blues defender Rhyan Grant scored an own goal, giving Brisbane the momentum and they took full advantage.
Erik Partaalu scored Brisbane-s third goal in the 74th minute when he was first to the rebound after Janjetovic saved a penalty before Ben O-Halloran scored a breakaway in the 79th minute.
Former Sydney FC defender Matt Jurman rounded out the scoring with a goal from a set piece in the 82nd minute.
Sydney FC takes on Newcastle Jets next Saturday in another pre season friendly in Budgewoi.
Brisbane Roar 5 (Thomas Broich 25, Rhyan Grant og 55, Erik Paartalu 74, Ben O-Halloran 79, Matt Jurman 82) d Sydney FC 1 (Mitch Mallia 44)
Virgin Australia Stadium, Mackay
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