Dominant Sydney FC 2-0 over Roar

The end of the winning streak; the end of the unbeaten run; the start of Sydney FC's season. A controlling Sydney held champions Brisbane Roar scoreless in a game that will kickstart Sydney's season.

Dimi Petratos gave Sydney a very early lead with a 1st minute strike. Clear on goal in front of the Cove, Petratos powered home to stun Hyundai A-League table leaders Brisbane Roar.

Credit: Kristy Beck

It was a composed home side that began the first half. Shannon Cole and Dimi Petratos were rewarded with starts and ninety minutes of football having spent the first eight rounds of the season out of favour, either on the bench or slogging it out in the National Youth League.

Prior to the match The Football Sack writer Michal Roucek revealed he had a dream Sydney FC would win two nil over Brisbane Roar at a packed Jubilee Oval. Boy was he right, as 11550 descended on Kogarah to witness a dominant performance by the Bling.

Brett Emerton was the second to stun the Roar, scoring from the corner after Brisbane 'keeper Michael Theoklitos' attempted punch-clearance went into his own net. Emerton bent the ball into the six yard box and subsequently into the goal to give the Sky Blue the 2-0 lead they deserved leading into the break.

Issey Nakajima-Farran gave Roar their best opportunity of the first half, sending a ball seething across the face of goal in the 42nd minute however receiver Henrique was too far wide to get his shot on target. Despite coach Ange Postecoglou's thought's to the contrary, Brisbane sorely missed star player Thomas Broich who was sidelined through injury midweek.

Were it not for the solid defence of Roar captain Matt Smith the scoreline could have become highly unflattering for the away side. On at least two occasions Smith stopped Sky Blue playmaker Nick Carle dead in his tracks with crucial tackles.

Karol Kisel received a yellow card on the edge of the box in the 64th minute which gave substitute Luke Bratton a free-kick 12 metres from goal, Roar's only real chance of the second half. Bratton felt the full force of the strong coastal wind, his shot carried well over leaving the Roar no closer to finding an equaliser.

Sydney fringe striker Juho Makela was granted his first minutes of game time this season having overcome injury and reclaiming some favour with coach Vitezslav Lavicka. He was immediately in the thick of it, and put in a decent effort on his return to the pitch.

Heroics from 'keeper Liam Reddy kept Sydney's cleansheet intact, diving desperately twice in the matter of seconds on the edge of his box, firing up the crowd into the dying stages of the match and ensuring they would leave Jubilee Oval...jubilant.

The result has reigned in Brisbane Roar at the top of the Hyundai A-League table, with only three points now separating first and second positions, with Sydney third behind Central Coast Mariners in second.