Sydney FC will hoping to end Brisbane Roar’s record unbeaten streak of 29 matches when the two teams clash tonight at the Sydney Football Stadium. Join us from 7:30pm AEDT for live scores and an interactive blog.
The Sky Blues were thrown into the lion’s den last week – travelling to Etihad Stadium to play a Melbourne team led by Harry Kewell and spurred on by over 40,000 fans – and they were able to sneak a draw despite finishing the match with ten men.
For Brisbane Roar, it was business as usual. A grand-final rematch against the Central Coast Mariners went to plan, after Mitch Nicholls scored the only goal for the defending premiers who seemed to take off from where they left off last season.
The Roar are a testament to the improving A-League competition; their brand of football amongst the prettiest played in all of the Asian confederation.
Despite suffering some key personnel changes before the start of the season, Ange Postecoglou is proving that a good football system can win out over a playing roster.
But that is to take nothing away from Brisbane Roar’s on field quality. Even without Matt McKay, Jean Carlos Solarzano and company the Roar boast one of the most impressive squads in the league.
In Canadian Issey Nakajima-Farran, Brisbane has got themselves a quality winger with the class to rip the competition to shreds.
The arrival of Nakajima-Farran has allowed Thomas Broich, who is arguably the competition’s premier player, the freedom to move into the heart of midfield, where his wide range of passing can do the most damage.
If Sydney FC is to win tonight, both Broich and Nakajima-Farran are going to need to be contained.
And the Sky Blues have plenty of problems of their own. Mark Bridge misses two weeks because of suspension and that means that Sydney will probably bring Bruno Cazarine into the starting line-up.
Home-town favourite Brett Emerton makes his SFS debut tonight but he will need to put in a better performance that what he threw up last week.
There is a lot of pressure on the former captain of the Socceroos and if he doesn’t begin to deliver that will only intensify – something that Harry Kewell is probably learning about right now.
Under coach Viteslav Lavicka, Sydney aren’t known for their scoring prowess so again they will rely on a quality defensive effort to get the job done.
Liam Reddy had a blinder in goal last week and he, just like Matt Ryan did for the Mariners against Brisbane, will need to be at his best if the Sky Blues are any chance tonight.
It is impossible to contemplate the Roar getting beat these days. It is almost a whole season since it happened in the A-League and I don’t think tonight is going to be the night for it either.
Brisbane tends to do well against Sydney and they come into the match in good nick. I’m going to tip a 2-1 win for Brisbane, and Nakajima-Farran to have a big game!
Can Sydney notch up a win first-up at home against the odds or will Brisbane make it 30 on the bounce? Join us form 7.30pm AEDT for live scores and a blog, and post your comments on the action below.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Certainly on Friday night, some of the attempted passing to kewell was ordinary, chopped off easily, all too predictable, MV have to have a rethink about how they structure up and utilise their forwards
Stevo
Guest
Yep, could say the same for Mr Kewell and MV (like playing with Broxham, Leijer, Archie "I fall over my feet too often" Thompson, etc)
The Cattery
Roar Guru
30 matches unbeaten is a massive run, by any standard
jamesb
Guest
maybe emmo is struggling to play with players that are not up to EPL level, and is finding it hard to adjust. maybe its a case of the better players he had a blackburn, the more easier it was for emmo to impose himself on the match
Justin Cinque
Expert
Thank you for your company. Brisbane on the march....again!
Justin Cinque
Expert
Well that concludes our coverage of tonight's game. It's business as usual for Brisbane. Somehow, I get the feeling the talking point out of this game will be Brett Emerton.
Justin Cinque
Expert
FULL TIME Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar Brisbane win again. 30th game without defeat in a row in this competition. They are fast becoming unbeatable. Sydney played quite well tonight. They didn't deserve to concede a goal on half time and it broke them. The Roar weren't clinical but they got the job done. That's what good teams do. Brett Emerton was again sub-standard. He's not in good form and he's not adapting to the Sydney system. He played on the left and didn't have much impact. Nicky Carle was the best Sydney player, working in a more attacking part of the ground. The goal-scorers were Berisha (who was fantastic) and Broich. Brisbane atop the ladder, unbeaten. Just like last year (well unbeaten from about this point of the season).
Justin Cinque
Expert
Yeah. Fantastic for the sport in this country. Every credit they get, they deserve. Fantastic Brisbane. A pleasure to watch.
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+2′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar The ROar on the break. 3 v 2.Berisha's ball is too heavy for Kofi. Goal kick.
jamesb
Guest
i hope mainstream media recognise brisbane roar for what their doing. There going to be unbeaten in 30 matches. I hope the media gives the roar the publicity similar to what kewell and emerton have received. It would be a huge tick to the roar and football in this country. Roar are brilliant
Justin Cinque
Expert
90+1′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar Three minutes of added time. Brisbane lead by two, have the ball, the clock, the mindset, momemtum and logic on their side. Looks like we're playing out time, just like in the last half hour of a cricket test match in some Sri Lankan dustbowl.
Justin Cinque
Expert
89′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar Brisbane taking their time playing out of D. Not going anywhere. Here's a nice thru ball. Petratos goes bang on a tight angle. Not bad. Over for a goal-kick. Sydney running out of ideas. Time will beat them.
Justin Cinque
Expert
88′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar The HAL's first Bahraini. 79 national caps. Adnan for Jurman. Interesting to have a look at him. Don't know how much we'll learn in 6 minutes. He's the guy who missed a penalty in the WCQ's against New Zealand- from memory in Wellington. Help me Mr. Hill!
Justin Cinque
Expert
87′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar Jamieson's corner isn't great. Emmo can put it in. Good cross. Well defended by Brisbane who break.
Justin Cinque
Expert
85′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar Another Brisbane corner. Reddy under the pump takes the ball. And throws it. To space, too much space. Rolls out near halfway. Brisbane looking home for all money here. AS soon as Cazarine went off, Sydney haven't looked likely at all. Coincidence or not...
Justin Cinque
Expert
83′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar Sydney have plenty of opportunities to get a shot away. Ball pin-balling around the ball. Emmo can shoot. Dinks it into the arms of Theo. I'm from Sydney but if I go watch the Sky Blues play this season, Emmo isn't going to be the drawcard playing like this...
Justin Cinque
Expert
83′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar Brisbane in control of possession. Time will tell how good this Brisbane team is but the word 'Dynasty' might not be out of place when discussing this team in five or ten years time. I think we are witnessing the beginning of something special in Australian football. This Brisbane team could be anything. Corner for Sydney now.
Justin Cinque
Expert
81′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar Partaalu sends it over the bar. Goal kick for Sydney.
Justin Cinque
Expert
80′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar It's Sydney who need to be chasing the game but if a third goal is going to come, you'd be gambling on it coming from the Roar. Another corner for Brisbane. Broich tucks the ball under his arm and walks to the flag.
Justin Cinque
Expert
78′ Sydney FC 0-2 Brisbane Roar The scoreline Isn't an accurate reflection of how well Sydney have done for long portions. They were the better team in the first half. But Brisbane have taken their chances and unfortunately for Sydney, the Roar often win by two when they don't take their chances. It is dangerous when Brisbane start converting golden opportunities into goals.....their poor conversion rate is their only weakness. Not tonight. Petratos' cross is no good. Emmo hasn't impressed tonight. Not flying in the HAL. Not in any form.