A thunderbolt goal from Sydney FC youngster Peter Triantis secured a dominant 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar and sent the Sky Blues into the top six at Allianz Stadium tonight.
A thunderbolt goal from Sydney FC youngster Peter Triantis secured a dominant 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar and sent the Sky Blues into the top six at Allianz Stadium tonight.
A fourth consecutive home win in front of 14,589 passionate fans was the result of a brilliant midfield performance led by Triantis, Alessandro Del Piero and Rhyan Grant.
Del Piero etched his name into the Sydney FC history books, as his seventh minute strike not only gave Sydney a fabulous start, but secured his position as the highest goal scorer in a single season for the Sky Blues.
A Besart Berisha penalty on the cusp of half time led to a few nerves amongst the home faithful before Triantis- strike released the shackles on a nervy crowd, as they cheered their team into sixth spot on the ladder.
Both Fabio and Tiago Calvano were recalled from suspension and Brett Emerton from injury for the fixture by coach Frank Farina as he made three changes to a line up that secured a hard fought 2-2 draw against Newcastle. Making way for the trio were the suspended Terry McFlynn, Nathan Sherlock and Terry Antonis, with the later finding a place on the bench.
The Sky Blues made a flying start to the game, and within seven minutes were in front. Triantis robbed Jade North in his own half and within a flash Powell had played in Del Piero, whose slalom run and finish was far too good for Ivan Franjic and Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo.
Not content with only a one goal lead, Fabio made a terrific lung bursting run down the left flank that culminated with the impressive Powell having a shot blocked.
The left flank was proving promising for the home team, as Del Piero was the next to start a raid down that side of the pitch with his cross causing havoc in the box, as Powell and Emerton both had wayward attempts on goal.
After 14 minutes Janjetovic was called into action for the first time, having to save well from a long range Stefan Nijland effort.
Janjetovic-s next piece of work though was a class above, making a fabulous fingtertip save from Mitch Nicholls, after the Brisbane midfielder found space on the edge of the Sydney area.
Sydney-s harassing in the first half was creating numerous turnovers, and Grant fashioned himself a chance after pressuring North into a turnover, only to shoot straight at a relieved Theo.
As half time neared, it seemed Sydney were bound to lead at the break, only for referee Ben Williams to rule that Fabio had fouled Nijland in the area and award the visitors a spot kick, which Berisha coolly hit into the top left corner.
Sydney came out fired up in the second half and urged on by a boisterous crowd, looked the only team capable of winning the match.
Finding space down the left hand side, Del Piero beat a charging Theo to the ball and from the left side by-line sent in an inviting cross the Blake Powell just couldn-t reach.
Ten minutes into the second half saw the visitors have a rare shot, with Berisha-s long range effort flashing past Janjetovic-s right hand post.
Del Piero continued to give Hingert a torrid time down the left flank and sent in a pin point cross that saw Powell tee up Grant, whose placed shot from the edge of the box forced Theo to stretch to his left.
An almost identical move led to Sydney-s second goal and the match winner. Again Del Piero showed his prowess whipping in a ball that James Donachie could only clear into the path of Triantis who gratefully accepted the invitation to shoot and replied with interest, sending a worm burner into the bottom left hand corner of the net
From this point on, Sydney berely looked threatened in defence and had three great chances to double their lead, all from Del Piero-s deadly right boot at set pieces.
With seven minutes remaining the Italian saw an exquisite 25m effort rebound off the crossbar, which left Theo floundering in its wake.
Giving Theo a torrid time, Del Piero tried his luck twice injury time to score a 12th goal of the season, seeing both efforts scrambled away by the Roar goalkeeper.
Sydney FC 2 (Alessandro Del Piero 7-, Peter Triantis 69-) d Brisbane Roar 1 (Besart Berisha 45pen)
Crowd: 14 589
Referee: Ben WILLIAMS
Sydney FC: 20. Vedran JANJECTOVIC (gk), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. FABIO, 7. Brett EMERTON, 8. Adam GRIFFITHS, 10. Alessandro DEL PIERO, 12. Blake POWELL (16. Joel CHIANESE 60-), 13. Tiago CALVANO, 22. Ali ABBAS (17. Terry ANTONIS 59-), 23. Rhyan GRANT, 26. Peter TRIANTIS.
Subs not used: 1. Ivan NECEVSKI(GK), 9. Paul REID.
Yellow Cards: Brett EMERTON 7-, Vedran JANJETOVIC 45-, Ali ABBAS 49-, Joel CHIANESE 80-.
Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael THEO (GK), 3. Shane STEFANUTTO (15. James DONACHIE 69-), 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 7. Besart BERISHA, 9. Stefan NIJLAND (25. George LAMBADARIDIS 75-), 13. Jade NORTH, 14. Steven LUSTICA, 17. Mitchell NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN (11. Ben HALLORAN 73-), 19. Jack HINGERT, 22. Thomas BROICH.
Sub not used: 20. Matthew ACTON(GK).
Yellow Cards: Ivan FRANJIC 35-, Besart BERISHA 88-
