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Sydney FC’s revolution rolled on under Vitezslav Lavicka as they joined Gold Coast in setting the early competition pace after the second round of the A-League.
Sydney made it two wins in two games under their new Czech coach with substitute Mark Bridge netting a 77th-minute winner in a 1-0 win over Adelaide United at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
They could have won by more had they been sharper with their finishing but Sydney played enough good football to suggest they will be title contenders under Lavicka, who replaced the sacked John Kosmina last season.
Adelaide coach Aurelio Vidmar pointed out after the match that Sydney are a new side this season.
“They’re a little bit more dynamic I would say,” Vidmar said.
“They’re a very good side and they’ll be a very strong side throughout the course of the year.”
Sydney sit alongside competition newcomers Gold Coast atop the competition ladder after Miron Bleiberg’s side sent shockwaves through the league with a stunning 5-0 win over fellow new boys North Queensland on Saturday night.
Kiwi international Shane Smeltz bagged four goals, including one from the penalty spot, before substitute Tahj Minniecon added a 79th-minute goal to complete the Fury’s humiliation.
Skipper Jason Culina was again sublime and outspoken coach Bleiberg had to bite his tongue after the outstanding team performance.
His first words at Saturday night’s press conference were: “I’m not enjoying to be here and you probably wonder why.
“Because it’s a time to be very modest and it’s very hard for me.”
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, the Fury’s prize recruit, was left embarrassed by the loss.
The most entertaining clash of the weekend followed in Melbourne on Saturday night, with the Victory fighting back for a pulsating 3-3 draw with Brisbane Roar at Etihad Stadium.
The reigning premiers fought back from 3-1 down with 30 minutes remaining to snatch a draw and avoid their championship defence getting off to the worst possible start after an opening round loss.
Two spectacular Carlos Hernandez goals and a sweet second-half volley from Danny Allsopp earned the draw after Danny Tiatto and Henrique had scored stunners themselves for the Roar.
Perth Glory again failed to live up to their pre-season hype after losing 2-1 to the Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on Sunday afternoon.
A cracking Leo Bertos free kick gave Ricki Herbert’s men their first win of the season to offer hope to their fans they can be finals contenders.
On Friday night, Central Coast and Newcastle played out a 1-1 draw at Bluetongue Stadium to ensure both remained unbeaten after two rounds.
Gold Coast and Sydney (six points) lead the way after two rounds, ahead of the Mariners and Jets (four points) and Wellington and Adelaide (three points).
The Victory and Roar took only one point from their opening two matches to sit just ahead of the Glory and Fury, who are bottom of the heap without a point.
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