Sydney FC’s horror start to the season has continued with a Henry Hore double and a horror mistake from Socceroos keeper Andrew Redmayne consigning them to a second successive defeat to kick off the A-League season.
Brisbane were returning to Suncorp Stadium and looking for revenge after losing to the Sky Blues in the Australia Cup Final just three weeks ago and were great value for their 3-0 win.
They couldn’t have asked for a better start – Hore opened the scoring within 48 seconds – or from more assistance from their opposition, given the howler from Redmayne.
The keeper was sold slightly short by Gabriel Lacerda and, as he rushed to clear, spooned the ball straight up into the air to give Nikola Mileusnic a simple finish.
Hore added another shortly after the break and that was that for the game as a contest, with an inevitable inquest beginning into the Sydney performance.
Though they impressed in pre-season and won the cup, this is the second weekend in a row where they have been comfortably beaten and are yet to trouble the scorers this season.
Melbourne Victory were able to keep them at arm’s length and punish them on the break last weekend to take a 2-0 win and Brisbane followed the same template.
The Roar proved far too compact and well organised without the ball and, when their press kicked in, constantly dangerous in transition. Only a string of Redmayne saves kept the score respectable in the first half.
Steve Corica – who was booked in the first half out of pure frustration – will look at how open his side were to quick counters, and at how easily his new striker, Fabio Gomes, was marked out of the game. For the second time running, he was starved of service.
The first half began badly, got worse and ended in abject frustration for Sydney FC. Having conceded in the opening minute to Hore, they then compounded that with Redmayne’s error.
Between the boxes, they might have argued that they were the better team, with controlled possession against a packed Roar defence, but at either end, they failed badly.
Hore’s goal had come from a high turnover and Redmayne’s mistake from a poor backpass from Lacerda, giving Brisbane all the impetus they needed to press yet higher.
Their block was tight and, when they did wrangle possession, they immediately shifted to Mileusnic on the right wing who continually got in behind.
The winger created two chances for Tommy Waddingham, only for Redmayne twice to deny the teenager, one of the saves a truly world class effort that came mere seconds after his howler.
Late in the half, he also blocked Hore from making it 3-0 with another save that he had to right to make.
It was a strange first half, perhaps best evidenced by the fact that Redmayne had been close to the best Sydney players despite producing one of the worst errors of his career.
Corica threw on a second striker at half time, but before Pat Wood had even touched the ball, it was 3-0.
Again, it was the high press that worked, with a coterie of Roar midfielders surrounding Gomes to win the ball, then immediately switching to attack mode. Hore, again, was the beneficiary and finished low beyond Redmayne.
Sydney did have chances late on, with Macklin Freke brought into the game several times by Lolley before Gomes sent a free header wide.
The Roar never went away on the break. Hore might have had his hat trick and Redmayne had to save again to deny Mileusnic.
The last act went to Quinn MacNicol, who became the third youngest player in A-League history at 15.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I will watch the mini match this week. Look forward to seeing him.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I dont know about Vidmar or Cahill mate, but I want to thank Sydney FC for Clayton Taylor. Another top quality talent lost to Sydney but gained by the Jets. This kid is a class act. Two goals against Victory, which is no mean feat. The kid's cemented his first time spot in Newy. Thanks Bimbi!!
NoMates
Roar Rookie
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Grem
Roar Rookie
Kane Vidmar on now - let’s hope. Shae Cahill yet to start - let’s hope. There’s a few sons of great football players starting to appear.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I do and I don’t care which club or state produces them. How good has it been to watch Kuol, Irankunda, Bos, Silvera, etc.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I leave for India this Thursday, but I will be back on November 24th - the day before the derby!
Grem
Roar Rookie
I would have done Adelaide. I was going to stay at Victor Harbor and get a train to Adelaide. Unfortunately, the away date doesn’t work. I am looking at Perth because the date is good and I haven’t been to Perth.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
By geez the Sydney derby in a few weeks is going to be screamer
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
My wife and I are seriously considering a trip down to Adelaide. If you are going to go to another ground, that's probably one of the best to go to. I will raise the idea of a GF about February ahahahaha
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
you're absolutely right, mate, it's the second round and nothing is predictable. There is one thing for certain though, Australian football is about to see the production of young talent beyond anything we imagined. It's bloody football Christmas in that regard. I am sure you agree.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
i suggest he will mate, he was playing good football with the Reds
Grem
Roar Rookie
This is what we want - new and talented players. Hopefully he can maintain this form.
Grem
Roar Rookie
It’s a long season, even in the A Leagues. A lot can happen between now and April and if it doesn’t then let’s just hope that good football continues and new stars emerge. Also, I wouldn’t mind going to another state to watch a grand final.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Grem, with Adelaide, City and Wanderers as the next three for Sydney, strike me, they had better click. At this point they need divine intervention. But yes, I would suggest a complete rebuild would be exactly what they need. They're running on previous glory at the moment
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Mate, Lachie Brook will play for Australia, without a doubt.
Grem
Roar Rookie
5-0 to WSW at half time! Some really good goals. The half time talk will be interesting.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Sorry, missed the subtlety in that. I can’t say either way tbh - but my instinct is Calletti won’t be at Roar this time next year.
Waz
Roar Rookie
There’s no emotion in there Lionheart. No Mates made a rather flippant yet accurate crowd comment - there are reasons why we drew sub-8k and why the rest of the league has started with soft attendances as well. No point in ignoring them. “ the major battle for football in Australia is internal, amongst ourselves” … just a reminder, the A League is not football, it’s just a little part of it … and it’s biggest problem is not the internal battle but an inability to actually allow and facilitate constructive debate - the conflict often comes when one side try’s to railroad the other.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I enjoy seeing Sydney do well, but I just enjoy the game. I enjoyed seeing the football Brisbane played last night and they were definitely better managed than Sydney. I’m presently enjoying the Wanderers playing good football and scoring plenty of goals. It looks like SS is correct and Sydney need a complete rebuild. Having said that, I can still see Sydney clicking again and going on a run.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
So what about the quality of the football played by Roar, what about their defence, what about the consistent one and two touch football played by Brisbane and the fact that all of the aforementioned was played by a team with the average age of about 21. Struth, you must have been asleep on the couch