Brisbane Roar have dominated proceedings to score a 1-0 win over Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium. Matt McKay's goal early in the second half was the difference although it should have been a more convincing win to the Roar who were once again very impressive as the Sky Blues slumped to their second successive defeat.
A-League Round 3Brisbane Roar: 1 (Matt McKay 53') Sydney FC: 0
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Crowd: 10,339 Referee: Chris Beath Yellow cards:BR - Henrique 40' SYD - Hayden Foxe 11', Scott Jamieson 39', Sung Hwan-Byun 45'
Brisbane Roar were centimetres away from a goal in the 17th minute when Matt McKay sent a long free-kick into the area which was met by a pack of players and shot out towards goal but Liam Reddy made a brilliant save, grasping the ball right on the line to deny his former club.
The Roar were well on top of the Sky Blues throughout the first half, dominating possession and balls into the area but could not hit the back of the net from eight attempts on goal although they would have gone into the break feeling very confident.
Sydney raised their performance ever so slightly early in the second half but Brisbane were still right on top and took the lead they deserved GOAL in the 53rd minute when skipper Matt McKay pounced on a poor touch by Hayden Foxe before slamming home from just outside the area to make it 1-0.
Sydney almost immediately hit back moments later when Rhyan Grant headed goalwards and although it beat Michael Theoklitos in the Roar goal, it couldn't get under the bar and fortunately for the home side, slipped away to safety.
Brisbane kept up their forward persistence but could not put Sydney away on the scoreboard although it didn't matter too much as the reigning champs were unable to grab an equaliser and the Roar recorded their first win of the season.
Starting Line-Ups
BR Michael Theoklitos (gk), Matthew Smith, Luke DeVere, Shane Stefanutto, Ivan Franjic (Susak 18'), Erik Paartalu, Kosta Barbarouses, Henrique (Reinaldo 81'), Matt McKay, Mitch Nichols (Brattan 69'), Thomas Broich
Subs - Andrew Redmayne (gk), Reinaldo (81'), Luke Brattan (69'), Milan Susak (18')
SYD Liam Reddy (gk), Sebastian Ryall, Stephan Keller, Hayden Foxe (Cole 81'), Stuart Musialik, Nick Carle (Moriyasu 77'), Kofi Danning (Gan 70'), Terry McFlynn, Scott Jamieson, Sung Hwan-Byun, Rhyan Grant
Subs - Ivan Necevski (gk), Hiro Moriyasu (77'), Brendan Gan (70'), Shannon Cole (81')
