Sydney FC had a dream start to the A-League season, but a recent dip in form has seen what looked like a title-contending squad drop to mid-table, whereas Brisbane Roar are just starting to come to form after a poor start to the season.
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They’ve got the strongest attacking side on paper, but Sydney FC are still struggling to convert possession into real attacking chances, despite boasting quality names such as Ibini, Smeltz, Janko and Brosque.
And without Socceroo-bound Terry Antonis for their last match of 2014, Sydney will struggle against a much stronger midfield.
Despite also missing key midfielder and captain Matt McKay, Brisbane Roar have far more depth in the middle of the park, with Luke Brattan likely to slot in for McKay’s absence – a quality replacement to have sitting on the pine.
Brisbane showed last week that they can score goals when they need to, and with a decent performance from youngster James Donachie in defence, they only need a more complete performance for 90 minutes to start winning matches.
Demi Petratos has looked more like himself in his natural wide position, and Solorzano managed to bag a goal on the weekend – his first in three years. Brisbane are certainly working their way back to best form, but Tuesday’s match may have come too soon to expect a complete performance.
For Sydney, Graham Arnold looked confused when asked what went wrong against Wellington, and admitted he hasn’t found the right formula yet for the players he currently has.
In his preferred 4-4-2 formation, the Sky Blues side has sorely missed the speed and attacking intent of Abbas and Gameiro, with Smeltz, Janko and Brosque all too similar players’ in the front line.
And without the creative flair that Antonis offers from a deep lying midfield roll, Sydney could struggle to create like they have in recent weeks. It is, however, a perfect opportunity for Peter Triantis to nail down a spot in Arnold’s line up, and a good performance from the youngster could help Sydney to a much needed win.
Prediction: Brisbane 2-1 Sydney
j binnie
Guest
Both coaches were worth listening to in their after match interviews. GA was playing the politcal game saying over and over he was glad to be giving youngsters a go but when asked if he would be using the 'transfer window" nearly choked getting out the word 'Yes." Franz on the other hand was more down to earth,he more or less stated the "unforced turnover ratio" was far too high for a team to play good football and he wasn't far wrong in that assessment. Don't know if he uses the technique but he should get one of his offsiders to chart that particlar sin and then reveal the results to the players. This game was not a good advert for the HAL and that is about all that is worth commenting on,there was little co-hesion or team work on both sides with just a flash or two of individual effort but these were too far apart for any real entertainment to be generated. Much work to be done. jb
Simon Smale
Roar Guru
Just got back home from that game... Certainly nothing much to talk about... Neither team offered much, and it was very disappointing for the crowd, and that's what most people where talking about as they left the stadium... Roar had very little going forward, but hardly had to defend much either. Just a bit of a nothing game really... Perhaps both teams need more practice in playing games with a small amount of rest...
TK
Guest
Nothing to write home about in either teams performance. Roar still looking for more go forward in attack. Bowles seems to have been infected by the play back bug which is disappointing given a number of chances to get the ball forward were squandered on his side tonight.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Full Time Brown tries to get it into the box, but it couldn't make the distance, and Sydney cleared easily. Thats fulltime at Suncorp, it was a disappointing effort from both sides who were missing players due to the Socceroos Asian Cup Training Squad. Thanks for tuning in, see you next time for more A-League action. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90+4' Last chance for Brisbane, freekick in their half with 30 seconds to go. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90+3' Solorzano once again runs at defence, following a quick attack from Sydney which broke down thanks to some neat defending from Donachie. Solorzano cuts inside but his touch was far too heavy. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90+2' Solorzano shot from outside the box. Drops the shoulder and cuts inside from the left, shooting with his right foot, but he got under the ball and sent it into the stands. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90+1' Setfanutto on for Sarota. It looks like he'll slot into the midfield for the last four minutes of stoppage time. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
90' Poor distrubution from Sarota, though he has given Petratos enough chances down the right to create something, so maybe he was trying something new. Sarota has gone down now with cramp, huge effort from him tonight. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
89' Ibini and Calver combine down the right flank for the Sky Blues, and Calver crosses toward Brosque, who looked uninterested in contesting. Janko then with a chance, but he was facing away from goal as the ball was bouncing in the area. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
88' Borello looked to feed the ball through for Henrique, but Petkovic read it well. It's been a game of close calls. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
86' Brisbane attack down the left. Brown cross from deep almost catches Janjetovic off guard, as he shanked it toward goal from close to halfway. Closest Brisbane have come this half? Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
85' Brown yellow card after losing out in a 50-50 contest with Gligor. He looked the worse for wear, and the card seems a tad harsh in the moment. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
84' Brosque turns well, and helps the ball onto Naumoff, whose shot rickotchets off North for a corner. Young collects easily though. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
84' And the young Socceroo is on the pitch. Gersbach's delivery was poor, but so was Brisbane's defending. North eventually clears. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
82' Triantis down injured. That's the end of his night as Gligor warms up on the sideline. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
80' Petratos wins corner, and whips in the cross to Trianits, who clears for Sydney. Donachie starts again for Brisbane, but Sydney win possession and go long for Ibini. Ibini's touch was good, and his cross won the Sky Blues a corner. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
74' Brattan comes back on. Looked to be off for good, but his back on the pitch for now. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
72' Three or four bad challenges sees Berth book Triantis with a yellow. Poor tackle on Brattan, who has stayed down. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC
James Anderson
Roar Guru
70' Good interplay by Brisbane in Sydney's half. They've looked the better of the two sides when in possession, but still struggling to convert. Petratos gets the better of Gersbach, then smashes the ball in anger? Not sure what that was - didn't look like a cross. Brisbane Roar 0-0 Sydney FC