Sydney FC shock the Reds at Hindmarsh

Sydney FC have bagged their first win of the season after they beat Adelaide United 2-1 at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Nick Carle got the crucial goal in the 81st minute after Jamie Coyne had equalised, cancelling out Dario Vidosic’s 36th minute strike.

The match also saw both teams’ Australian marquees struck down with injury with both Vidosic and Emerton forced off the field.

After a cagey opening both teams settled down and began to showcase an attacking style of play.

United’s first shots on goal came from long distance, content to test Sydney goalkeeper Ivan Necevski early in his first start of the season.

The Blues’ early attacks came from out wide but their crosses were easily cut out by Eugene Galekovic.

Socceroo Brett Emerton had his best match since joining the A-League, showing the class of over a decade spent in European football.

Being granted freedom to move between either wing and get on the ball in a central role, Emerton shone with his sharp passes and movement off the ball.

The Reds took the lead in the 28th minute after Sydney failed to clear the ball from their penalty area.

Iain Ramsey crossed the ball and found van Dijk at the back post whose looping header fell to Beauchamp.

The centre-back attempted to head the ball to teammates who were flat-footed.

Vidosic capitalised on the mistake, booting the ball into the back of the net.

Eugene Galekovic showed why he’s considered one of the A-League’s best glovemen with an incredible diving save to his right, denying eighteen-year-old Terry Antonis.

United should have doubled their lead in the 40th minute, but Slory failed to connect with Ramsey’s low cross after beating his man with an audacious backheel.

The Blues’ best chance of the half came in the 43rd minute when Emerton won the ball off of Cassio inside Sydney’s defensive half.

Sprinting into a three-on-two situation the former Blackburn midfielder released Nick Carle whose shot thundered into the crossbar and bounced out.

Antonis followed up Carle’s strike with a low shot, but Galekovic made the save and ensured the Reds went into half time with their lead intact.

The first clear chance of the second half fell to the unlikely source of Milan Susak. The twenty-seven-year-old found a bouncing ball in the box and swung his left boot, causing an impressive save from Necevski

Adelaide’s game was changed in the 52nd minute when Vidosic was forced off with a corked thigh, being replaced by Uruguayan Francisco Usucar.

The move forced Zenon Caravella out of the holding midfielder’s role into Vidosic’s vacated position as attacking midfielder.

Sydney found their equaliser in the 60th minute when Antonis’ sharp cutback into the box found Coyne who dispatched the ball into the top corner.

Emerton’s game came to an abrupt end in the 64th minute, pulling his hamstring and putting an end to an impressive performance.

An unbelievable save from Galekovic in the 69th minute kept the scores level after Carle slid the ball past McKain, finding Cazarine one-on-one with the keeper.

The loss of Vidosic for United left them without a link between midfield and attack and meant Adelaide could put little pressure on Sydney’s defence.

Emerton’s injury allowed Nick Carle to take control in the centre of the park and he began to orchestrate Sydney’s attacks, causing headaches for the Reds’ defence.

United’s frustration spilled over when Andy Slory earned a yellow card for a reckless slide tackle in the 73rd minute on Jamie Coyne.

Sydney’s continual pressure earned them the lead in the 81st minute after a strong build-up from Rhyan Grant and Karol Kisel.

Kisel received the ball and slid it to Carle who ran off the shoulder of his defender and snuck the ball underneath a diving Galekovic.

United pushed late for an equaliser but couldn’t find the target, Sydney’s defence holding firm.

Attendance: 12,054

Player Votes:
Nick Carle - 3 votes,
Eugene Galekovic - 2 votes,
Brett Emerton - 1 vote

Lineups:
Adelaide United First XI: Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk), Osama MALIK, Jon McKAIN (c), Milan SUSAK, CASSIO, Spase DILEVSKI, Iain RAMSEY, Zenon CARAVELLA, Andy SLORY, Dario VIDOSIC, Sergio VAN DIJK.

Sydney FC First XI: Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), Jamie COYNE, Pascal BOSSCHAART, Michael BEAUCHAMP, Brett EMERTON, Karol KISEL, Bruno CARAZINE, Nick CARLE, Terry McFLYNN, Terry ANTONIS, Scott JAMIESON

Referee: Gerard Parsons