Queensland Roar tonight beat a ten-man Sydney FC 2-0 in a controversial match to clinch a spot in the A-League preliminary final.
Sydney FC captain Tony Popovic labelled the decision that led to the match winner from Sasa Ognenovski an “under-sixes penalty”, while coach John Kosmina appeared less than impressed with the sending off of midfielder Robbie Middleby in just the 20th minute.
After a half hour delay due to a torrential downpour in Brisbane as the teams warmed up, the Roar scored an early goal through Brazilian striker Reinaldo to put the pressure on the visitors.
Seven minutes later Middleby received his marching orders, and while they dominated possession from that point onwards, the Roar had to wait until Ognenovski’s 83rd penalty goal to seal the win.
It was the first away loss of the season for Sydney, who now jet off to Hawaii to play in the Pan Pacific Championship, while the Roar will meet the loser of the Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners tie next Sunday.
Reinaldo’s classy goal sent the record crowd of 36,221 into raptures, beating two defenders before regaining his composure and slotting the ball into the back of the Sydney net.
The 23-year-old celebrated with a trademark somersault, and continued to impress before he limped off with a corked knee in the 54th minute.
Things got worse for the visitors when Middleby and the Roar’s Matt McKay challenged for a ball 35 metres out from goal.
With McKay set to make a run down the right Middleby attempted to dispossess his opponent, but brought McKay crashing to the ground.
Referee Mark Shield showed no hesitation in pulling out the red card, despite the howls of protest from Sydney’s senior players.
Roar coach Frank Farina was circumspect about the card, saying Shield had followed the letter of the law.
“To the letter of the law I think he (Middleby) was the last defender,” he said.
“Matty had skipped past him and whether it was intentionally fouled or not, he fouled, and the law states that if you’re the last defender and it’s a potential goal scoring opportunity (it is a red card).”
A level-headed Kosmina said the home ground advantage played a part in the match.
“We played against 12 men, the Queensland crowd were fantastic,” he said.
Ognenovski’s goal came after Popovic pushed Roar substitute Tahj Minniecon off the ball as he surged into the box, with the Sydney skipper far from impressed when Shield pointed to the spot.
After the match, he said the pre-match hype about Sydney defenders targeting the Roar youngsters played a role in the decision.
“I think a few comments in the papers this week might have been read by a lot more people, and might have affected a few,” he said.
Ognenovski made no mistake with the shot, and saluted the ecstatic crowd as he hugged his jubilant teammates.
Popovic’s post match reaction illustrated the frustration among his squad after bowing out of the finals series.
“These things happen, a goal and a guy sent off and then it’s an under-sixes penalty,” he told Fox Sports.
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