- Kosta Barbarouses - 16'
- Harry Van Der Saag - 90'+5'
Sydney FC continue winning run against Brisbane Roar
Sydney FC will head into the A-League finals series brimming with the confidence that five straight wins can bring after defeating Brisbane Roar 2-0.
But second-placed Sydney FC were pushed hard before ending the Roar's eight-match unbeaten run at home in Redcliffe on Saturday afternoon.
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A first-half strike from Kosta Barbarouses was the difference between the teams for much of the contest. Former Roar forward Barbarouses fired home from an acute angle on 16 minutes after a driving run into the penalty area.
Bobo headed against the crossbar as Sydney FC threatened to double their lead on a couple of occasions.
But the Roar turned in a strong second-half showing, putting the second-placed Sky Blues on the back foot for much of the second period.
Livewire forward Dylan Wenzel-Halls was a constant menace in attack, forcing several fine saves from inexperienced Sydney FC goalkeeper Tom Howard-Belle, deputising for Andrew Redmayne on Socceroo duty.
Harry van der Saag doubled the winning margin with the final kick of the contest as his fierce close-range drive went in off the post.
Brisbane Roar will now host either Adelaide United or Macarthur FC in their semifinal, while Sydney FC will have next weekend off before featuring in the elimination final.
Game Information
Australian A-League Men Standings
Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Auckland FC | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 19 |
Adelaide United | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | +8 | 18 |
Melbourne Victory | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +8 | 17 |
Melbourne City FC | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +6 | 14 |
Western United | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | +3 | 12 |
Western Sydney Wanderers | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | +4 | 11 |
Macarthur FC | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | +4 | 11 |
Sydney FC | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 10 |
Wellington Phoenix FC | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -1 | 10 |
Central Coast Mariners | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | -5 | 9 |
Newcastle Jets | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -3 | 6 |
Perth Glory | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | -19 | 5 |
Brisbane Roar | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | -10 | 2 |