Crafty Nicky Carle scored the game-breaker as Sydney FC logged their first win of the A-League season with a 2-1 triumph over Adelaide United on Saturday.
Carle’s strike delivered a deserved victory on foreign soil at Hindmarsh Stadium, with Sydney coming from a goal down to take the points.
Carle’s polished finish in the 81st minute ensured a fitting result for the visitors, who outplayed their hosts.
But Sydney did it the hard way, battling lousy fortune before breakthrough second-half goals to Carle and defender Jamie Coyne.
Coyne slotted Sydney’s first goal in three matches this season, nullifying a first half strike by Adelaide’s Dario Vidosic.
Vidosic accepted a gift from Sydney defender Michael Beauchamp who, positioned on the goal line, inexplicably chested the ball into the path of the Reds’ playmaker.
Vidosic struck from a metre out in the 28th minute, with Beauchamp’s blunder coming as Sydney hit the crossbar and sidebar in a luckless opening half.
But the Sky Blues finally got just reward for their toil – and their first goal of the season – courtesy of a slick Coyne strike in the 59th minute.
Coyne was afforded time and space some 10 metres from goal and slotted a right-footer which silenced the 12,054-strong Adelaide crowd.
Sydney’s marquee signing Brett Emerton was subbed five minutes later, fatigued after doing a power of work during an influential stint.
And it wasn’t until the 81st minute when Carle, who was a dangerous attacking force all match, found himself with only Reds ‘keeper Eugene Galekovic to beat.
Carle calmly steered through Galekovic’s legs to ensure Sydney won their game of the season and left Adelaide with two losses in three outings.
Axelv
Guest
LOL this, except they were rubbish against MV as well, it wasn't until they were a goal up and a man up that they played well. 3 Games so far this season, and Adelaide has been rubbish in all 3. They won't make the top 6, Vidosic though has been really impressive, he won't be able to carry the whole team or be a focal point like Flores was, also Leckie added alot of speed and skill to Adelaide's attack. They're missing both of those players dearly, there is no sophisticated system at Adelaide, only long balls!
Rellum
Roar Guru
Only saw the highlights but they do look like the team that is really improving with each game.
Midfielder
Guest
Tho SFC form would worry a few teams they went head to head with the Roar for the first 60 min or so ... and that midfield is just starting to work each other out ... with Emo, Carle &Antonis... similar to the Mariners both have excellent mids with not so great strikers...
Midfielder
Guest
Q Agree he had about the best game I have seen him play in a long while... looks like he has lost a lot of wait ...
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
I wonder if Holger is watching Nicky Carle? I wonder how long it is going to take to realise that this guy is worth a call up?
pete4
Guest
Big result for Sydney this one! Terry Antonis looks a real prospect
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Weren't AUFC meant to be back on track to finishing 1st or 2nd after beating MVFC with a goal from a defensive error? Apparently AUFC's opening round rubbish against Perth was a mere aberration - just dusting off the cobwebs. As I speculated after the opening 2 matches - in relation to AUFC, all I know is that they are equally capable of producing rubbish football and competent football. But now, after 3 matches, the results indicate AUFC produces rubbish football more often than competent football.