Brisbane Roar have managed a late goal to defeat Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium. The Roar got all three points when Dutchman Sergio van Dijk headed home with five minutes remaining to jump into the top five.
Brisbane Roar: 1 (Sergio van Dijk '85) Sydney FC: 0
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
In an absorbing contest, neither side could trouble the scorers in the first half.
The Sky Blues slightly favoured the possession of the ball but Brisbane were in their forward half on more occasions.
Sydney's Mark Bridge had an early chance but had his shot from just inside the area was knocked wide by Roar keeper Liam Reddy at the near post.
Brisbane's Charlie Miller was looking dangerous in midfield but his influence was to no avail as Sydney youngster Brendan Gan had two chances after some great work from Alex Brosque who was proving a handful for the Roar defence.
Brosque was able to play Bridge through but his shot went way over the crossbar and then had his own chance which went agonisingly wide of the mark.
The Roar's best chance came when Scottish import Bob Malcolm headed a Miller corner straight into the hands of Clint Bolton but both sides had to settle for 0-0 at half time.
The Sky Blues were defending well in the second term as the Roar began to press forward and at the other end, the visitors had enough chances but their finishing was less than impressive.
Brisbane had scored in every game so far this season and were doing their utmost to find the back of the net but a determined Sydney defence was willing to put their bodies on the line and do everything in their power to keep out a desperate Roar.
Finally, the Roar got what they wanted in the 85th minute when Miller played a long ball to the back post where Craig Moore was on hand to nod in the path of Sergio van Dijk who slid a header past Bolton to notch his 10th goal in 11 appearances at Suncorp and his fourth of the season.
Straight after the goal, the Roar moved forward again when Henrique teed up Reinaldo but his shot was knocked to safety by Bolton.
However, van Dijk's goal was enough for the home side to take the points in a competitive encounter.
