Sydney FC hold on to defeat Brisbane Roar

Sydney FC have survived a shaky finish to hold on to a 2-1 win over the Brisbane Roar.

The Sky Blues scored twice in the second half before conceding a goal in the 72nd minute but were able to hang on to their lead despite the Roar pushing forward in the final 15 minutes.

Sydney FC: 2 (Alex Brosque ‘55, Karol Kisel ‘69)
Brisbane Roar: 1 (Isaka Cernak ’72)

Venue: Sydney Football Stadium

The Roar started brightly and had more shots on goal in the first 20 minutes and were unlucky not to go ahead when a powerful Mitch Nichols header was well-saved by Sky Blues shot-stopper Clint Bolton.

In the 26th minute, it was Brisbane’s goalkeeper Griffin McMaster who had to be called on when Karol Kisel played Mark Bridge through but his shot was safely held onto by the Roar gloveman.

Moments later, the Sky Blues went agonisingly close again when Alex Brosque’s header flew past the upright and they begun to really pepper the Roar goal when Byun Sung-Hwan let rip from 25 yards out but McMaster was able to tip it over the past.

Early in the second half the home side finally managed a goal through some Alex Brosque magic.

The striker received the ball in the area from a Steve Corica header, controlled with his favoured left foot before turning onto his right and sliding it past McMaster to open the account for the Sky Blues.

Sydney made it 2-0 with just over 20 minutes when Brosque made space for Kisel with a perfect through ball and the Czech playmaker made no mistake with his powerful finish from just inside the area for his first goal for the club.

Three minutes later, the Roar were back in the contest when youngsters Tommy Oar and Isaka Cernak combined for a well-crafted goal.

Oar flighted a well-weighted cross into Cernak’s path and the midfielder produced a classy finish with the outside of his right boot to give the visitors some hope.

Both sides, particularly the Roar, had chances to score late in the piece but neither could make the most of their chances and the Sky Blues managed to hold on to the three points and go to the top of the table.