Sydney FC’s charge to the A-League finals gathered serious steam as a vital 2-1 win over Adelaide United followed the signing of Socceroos captain Lucas Neill on Saturday.
Second half goals to youngsters Terry Antonis and Blake Powell delivered a deserved victory in front of 15,602 fans.
The club-record fifth straight home win ensured Sydney climbed into fifth spot and came just hours after the Sky Blues beat Melbourne Heart to sign veteran defender Neill for the rest of the season.
They now have precious breathing room inside the top six and, with Neill set to link up with a star-studded squad on Sunday, their finals hopes are looking increasingly bright.
But despite Sydney continuing their rapid rise from the bottom of the ladder, newly re-signed coach Frank Farina is sticking with his one-game-at-a-time mantra.
“It’s pleasing but, although I’m getting tired of saying it, we’re just playing it week by week,” Farina said.
“The next two weeks will be critical. We’ve got two away games against the Heart and Perth.
“It’s great we’ve got three points but we just move on.”
Sydney will also have striker Joel Griffiths available for the Heart clash following his three-week suspension and Farina welcomed the increased competition Griffiths and Neill would help create.
“That’s the way it should be at Sydney,” Farina said.
“Everyone’s got to fight for a spot and if you’ve got a spot in this team, you’ve got to make sure you keep it.”
The Sky Blues were the better side in a dour, scoreless first half but they really clicked into gear after the break.
Superstar Alessandro Del Piero was at his dangerous best, thumping the post with a curling, 30-metre free kick just after halftime and testing Reds `keeper Eugene Galekovic on several other occasions.
Antonis made the breakthrough in the 49th minute, scoring his first A-League goal in 35 appearances.
The midfielder collected the ball from Reid and there was more than a touch of fortune as his shot took a wicked deflection off Reds defender Iain Fyfe and went in.
Sydney kept up the pressure and they were rewarded as Powell doubled the advantage in the 66th minute.
Defender Adam Griffiths barged onto a corner kick and Powell was there to clean up the scraps, turning the ball in from close range.
Adelaide kept the game alive when substitute Tomi Juric collected a Galekovic free kick and strode away to score.
Farina was critical of some of the decision-making of his young players in the tense final moments, but Sydney held on for a crucial win.
Adelaide coach Michael Valkanis watched on from the stands as he served a one-game touchline ban and assistant coach Sergio Melta accused the Reds of lacking desire.
“We came here with a plan but we didn’t execute it,” Melta said.
“It’s a bit worrying we didn’t have any sort of desire.
“It’s one thing not sticking to a game plan but not having any desire to get a result from the game is not a good thing.”
Realfootball
Guest
I can still remember my dismay and disbelief as he lay down inexplicably and turned himself into a human tripwire right on the touchline a the edge of the 6 yard box. It was complete idiocy and completely unnecessary.
nachos supreme
Guest
to mention Maldini ,Cannavaro and Nesta in the same breath as Neill? ,I can't agree with you in any way. He was a starting XI EPL player at lower-mid table clubs for a period of time... Allegedly had opportunities to be more than that didn't take them and frankly, I can't say I've seen him do much more than point at "his" man and turn the ball over with nothing 20-25 mtr balls into midfield over the past 4-5 years.
planko
Guest
I would love to know the difference between the odds on Sydney FC 6 weeks ago to now ?
Mahler
Guest
I'll never forgive him for that stupid penalty box tackle which cost us our chance in the 2006 World Cup. It's been downhill ever since for Lucas.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Now Lucas has joined us (yes we will take him long balls and all) but where is the planing for the long term---squad rebuilding for next season... We must have the oldest squad in the HAL... Love to hear Farina's plans for the future---hopefully trying to sign up some youngsters who are now representing the Joeys...
Disco
Roar Guru
It didn't stop Neill's head swelling, though.
JAJI
Guest
People with regards toi Lucas Neil have very short memories Yes he is money hungry - and has swicthed from club to club chasing the buck. However aside from a notable few exception in the world what footballer in the world hasnt chased bucks? Look how many times the likes Ibrahimovic, Anelka, even Raul is now in Qatar - look at who sponsers Barca now, and who owns PSG, Chelsea, Man City. The game is run by money... Lucas Neil and Mark Schwarzer almost single-handedly got us to South Africa 2010 being the backbone of a resolute defence that let in one goal in Qualifying and defended for 90 minutes in most games.... We have a complete lack of defenders at the moment at the Socceroos level. Spiranovic has given up on a career in Europe and is not playing in Qatar. Ognenovski couldnt make it in Europe as well and also in Qatar....Cornthwaite is in korea and isnt of European standard, Osiek wont pick Lowry, Jade North couldnt get a run in Japan, Chris Herd is always injured, Jason Davidson has been dropped again Our European stocks are at an all time low - so why are we bagging someone who has played every game for Australia around the world and who also played in the EPL as a first team starter for almost 10 years?
Matt F
Roar Guru
Kellett, how does that article contradict me at all? I point you to this line: "Neill contradicted these figures on Sunday, saying he signed with Sydney despite the Sky Blues offering him less than the Heart." If anything your article actually supports my point! Here are his exact words from the press conference: ""I think it's well-documented that Melbourne's offer was a hundred (thousand dollars) and I signed for seventy (thousand dollars), so I think we leave it at that."
alexspeirs
Roar Rookie
kellett, you posted an article from Fox Sport from Saturday, and ignored the direct quotes from Neill at his Press Conference today where he said that MH offered $100k and SFC offered $70k. Great investigative journalism there mate!!
Cameron
Roar Guru
Ok Stevo! Moving on... Even though I was letting Matt F know that he actually wasn't offered more by heart.
Stevo
Guest
We can move on but the article makes it clear that Neil gave HeartFC every indication he would sign and then walked away. OK, deal done now to this Sunday ....
Cameron
Roar Guru
Matt F, "The 34-year-old on Saturday confirmed he would join Sydney FC on a guest stint, meaning his deal, which was believed to be worth just over $100,000 - double what Heart had reportedly offered - is outside the salary cap. Neill contradicted these figures on Sunday, saying he signed with Sydney despite the Sky Blues offering him less than the Heart." This is directly from foxsports, feel free to have a read. http://m.foxsports.com.au/story/football/1226579611011 I'm glad Brisbane Roar did not end up getting him, or heart for that matter. Probably not worth the ego!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Neither of these are exactly lucrative offers for that matter...
Midfielder
Guest
Interesting how we often have a go at Harry & Lucas .... wonders aloud how many Australians have been captain of and EPL club...
Matt F
Roar Guru
Well according to Lucas himself, as he said in his press conference today, the Heart offered 100k and SFC offered 70k
Titus
Guest
Yeah, so disrespectful to weigh up all the options and take the most attractive one. Maybe JA should have waited before announcing it.
Stevo
Guest
We all know he's from Sydney and he should have just said from the beginning, no JA, I'm not going anywhere but the harbour town. As for how much money he is getting, who really knows?
nama
Guest
Lucas Neill returning to australia is a net positive for the a-league and i hope he helps a distinctly average Sydney FC (minus ADP). But of more concern is what it means for the Socceroos in the lead up to the World Cup next year. Like many people i feel he should have been eased out of the setup post 2010 but the fact is he remains the #1 choice despite questionable stints in the petro-leagues. My hope is that Neill performs for Sydney FC and commits to a full season in our upcoming world cup year to prove he is still one of this countrys outstanding defenders. And despite his record, i think he should be asked to prove it. I dont know if the blokes motives are monetary as is commonly inferred , or whether he likes to experience different cultures. But if he opts for an obscure team in the Middle East or China again, then he should be cut from the national side. The long term health of the Socceroos are far more important than indulging our current captain.
Johnno
Guest
Lucas is a born and bread sydneysider, why on earth would he feel more obligated to go to Melbourne. Hardly a traitor , the bloke is not in and has never lived in Melbourne you clowns. He's a sydneysider from the Northern Beaches up Manly way.
Matt F
Roar Guru
The fact he's stated that he's on less money at SFC than he would have been at the Heart kind of shoots your theory down a little bit...