That's football. Sydney swap places with the Jets

'That's football' - these were the sentiments of both coaches at the end of the match - the first time Newcastle have met Sydney this season.

A relaxed Sunday afternoon crowd of 8512 witnessed Sydney FC's second win for the season, after a controversial goal to Bruno Cazarine on 76 minutes gave the home side an unbeaten 1-nil advantage.


It was never going to be a classy affair at the SFS, and a series of scrappy possession, cut-out crosses, and the eventual long-ball game proved just that. The goal came after Hiro Moriyasu broke down the right, beat his defender, and superbly crossed the ball across the face of goal.

Cazarine finished clinically. The problem was, the ball had already crossed the line, out for a goal-kick.

Replays, shown on the screens at the SFS, clearly revealed the ball was out of play. The linesmen almost raised his flag, but that was for a foul a split second earlier on Moriyasu. The resultant advantage given created confusion, and thus the goal stood.


With the National Youth League game between the sides' young counterparts postponed, Lavicka was given an easier decision to start Dimitri Petratos on the bench - for the first time this season. He debuted on the pitch on 71 minutes, three days before his 18th birthday. Sydney coach Viteslav Lavicka was satisfied with his performance.

"I am pretty happy because we know [he] has good potential, he very young player. He played well for Sudney FC National Youth team the couple of last games... He did well"


On the controversy surrounding the goal, Viteslav echoed the thoughts of many at the stadium.

"It was a controversial goal. Hard to say more... but everyone makes mistakes.

"We've had some bad luck this season, several times, so tonight we had a bit of luck for us" said Lavicka.


Newcastle Jets Branko Culina spoke similarly of the goal. Both coaches stated that they saw the replay and thought the ball was out, but neither seemed angered or upset at the poor decision.

"No regrets

"It's part of the game I suppose. Hopefully one day we'll get decisions go our way like that" stated Culina,

Culina stood by his decision to leave out Ljubo Milicevic and Kasey Wehrman from the starting line-up, instead having them coming off the bench late in the game.

"In hindsight it's easy for people to say "yeah but you lost".. It was a decision to be best for the long term... and I stand by it" Culina said.

The game provided some entertainment, but there were other spectacles on show. Of note was the Champion of Champions parade, the fully-clothed streaker and his subsequent dismissal, and the children on the pitch post-game.