Sydney FC have been denied their first win of the A-League, being held to a 1-1 draw by Gold Coast United.
Bruno Cazarine's first home goal for the Sky Blues was cancelled out by Bruce Djite's header late in the first half and despite defender John Curtis being sent off with just over twenty minutes remaining, United held on to keep Sydney at the foot of the table.
A-League Week 8Sydney FC: 1 (Bruno Cazarine 20') Gold Coast United: 1 (Bruce Djite 45+1') Venue:Sydney Football Stadium, SydneyCrowd: 9,977 Referee: Ben Williams Yellow cards:SYD - Alex Brosque 36', Shannon Cole 45' GCU - Kristian Rees 32', Michael Thwaite 65' Red card:GCU - John Curtis 68'
GOALSydney FC took the lead in the 20th minute when Alex Brosque flicked a Sung-hwan Byun corner into the path of Bruno Cazarine who was on hand to head home with a pinpoint downward header despite the efforts of two Gold Coast defenders on the line.
Gold Coast missed gilt-edged chances from Dino Djulbic and Andrew Barisic in the 22nd and 24th minutes which were their best chances of the first half before Bruce Djite headed home to equalise on the stroke of half-time. GOAL The former Genclerbirligi man was able to find space in the area after a Michael Thwaite header from a Jason Culina corner found him unmarked and his header found the target allowing his side to go into the break on level pegging.
Sydney thought they had hit the lead in the 65th minute when Brosque stabbed home but referee Ben Williams brought the play back after Cazarine was felled outside the area, deciding not to pay advantage to the home side.
Gold Coast substitute John Curtis was then sent off less than a minute after coming on for his aerial challenge on Hiro Moriyasu, reducing his side to ten men and giving Sydney a real in to get their first win of the season.
With ten minutes remaining, Brosque was again close when his half-chance went through the legs of Gold Coast defender Michael Thwaite and into the post before substitute Brendan Gan missed a late header. In injury time, a goalmouth scramble ensued where Sydney defender Stephan Keller got a clear shot off from point blank range but Gold Coast keeper Glen Moss made a reaction save to keep his side in the game, forcing a 1-1 draw.
Starting Line-Ups
SYD Liam Reddy (gk), Seb Ryall, Stephan Keller, Stuart Musialik, Bruno Cazarine, Shannon Cole (Gan 82'), Alex Brosque, Terry McFlynn, Mark Bridge, Scott Jamieson (Moriyasu 57'), Sung-hwan Byun
Subs - Ivan Necevski (gk), Hayden Foxe, Hiro Moriyasu (57'), Brendan Gan (82')
GCU Glen Moss (gk), Michael Thwaite, Robson (Curtis 37'), Dino Djulbic, Zenon Caravella, Jason Culina, Bruce Djite, Kristian Rees, Andrew Barisic (Pantelidis 61'), Adama Traore, Steve Fitzsimmons (Harold 77')
Scott Higgins (gk), Steve Pantelidis (61'), John Curtis (67'), Chris Harold (77')
