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The hottest day of the summer so far saw Brisbane Roar return to the Sydney Football Stadium to defeat Sydney FC 1-0. It was to be a busy night for Sydney goalkeeper Ivan Necevski, called upon on numerous occasions to save his team from what could have been an embarrasing scoreline.Sydney chose to defend deep, lining up in a 4 4 1 1 to cope with the expectant onslaught by the A-League's form team, Mark Bridge dropping in behind Bruno Cazarine.
On 6 minutes, after an opening period of possession by the visiting team, Brisbane had the first corner of the match, which was headed wide.
A foul on Paartalu in the 11th minute led to a free kick for Roar just outside the box. The resultant shot from Thomas Broich was dangerously spilled from the hands of 'keeper Necevski, but eventually safe; out for another corner.
Brisbane continued to look the form team of the season and the game was played in Sydney's half for most of the first 45 minutes. It took half an hour for the home team to string together a decent collection of passes, an observation many fans will find gives them an acidogenic feeling in their stomach.
The 40th minute provided the first goal, and expectantly it was for Brisbane. Solorzano chipped a Mitch Nichols through ball first time to an on-running Barbarouses, who scored at a seemingly impossible angle. A wonderful strike left Necevski diving the wrong way, and sent the ball into the opposite side of the net. 1-0 Roar.
Right on half time, Barbarouses had a similar opportunity, but this time went wide across the face of goal. 1 nil it remained at the break.
The second half began on the 46th minute, Shannon Cole attempting to rescue the Sky Blue with one of his signature freekicks. His laid-off shot however went over the bar.
Having an immediate impact, the two substitutes Petratos and Brosque linked together to force a good save from Roar 'keeper Theoklitos. Petratos received the ball from Brosque and fired it on target, but the shot was equaled by Theoklitos.
Shannon Cole had another chance from the same area in the 53rd, this time in open play. His half volley went wide, but it was a powerful effort - indicative of the different side that came out for the home team after half-time.
On 61 minutes Barbarouses had yet another shot from the right flank, but it didn't have the force of the previous strikes, his attempt comfortably taken by Necevski.
After 86 minutes Brisbane substitute Rocco Visconte almost got the second goal. A previous save by Necevski led to a corner, and the ball found Visconte's thigh and subsequently a high reaching Necevski.
Three minutes of extra time came to nothing, and the score would remain 1-0. It was Brisbane's first win at the SFS, and they will be happy to break the drought.