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Sydney FC score first win against NZ Knights [Fri Sep 2nd, 2005]
Sydney FC have won their first match of the inaugural A-League competition, defeating the New Zealand Knights 3-1 at North Harbour Stadium.
Sydney let an early lead slip to the determined Knights, before regrouping and scoring two late goals to ensure they take home all three points.
Pierre Littbarski's 'glamour boys' began the match hungry following their first start draw against Melbourne at home last weekend, and after a few near misses; their efforts were rewarded midway through the first half.
The Knights failed to clear the ball off their line, and midfielder Steve Corica managed to head the ball into skipper Mark Rudan's direction, who received and finished the chance smoothly.
Sydney FC took their 1-0 lead into the break, and their contentment to sit back and attempt to hold their lead led to the Knights growing in confidence and eventually drawing level through striker Joshua Rose.
Rose appeared unmarked in the 69th minute behind Sydney midfielder Matthew Bingley, and took his chance superbly.
The goal sprung Sydney into action, as Littbarski threw on wide attacking weapon Robert Middleby.
Following a foul on the edge of the Knights' area, the superb David Carney swung the ball into the hosts' box for Bingley to head Sydney back into the lead in the 74th minute.
The Knights attempted to draw level again, however Clint Bolton's goal proved harder to breach a second time.
Sydney held back, with Jacob Timpano coming on to add to their defensive cavalry, until Middleby hit the Knights on the break deep into injury time with what was the goal of the match.
He took the ball in the Knights' half, held off a defender, before rifling a strike from outside the area past former Leeds United goalkeeper Danny Milosevic.
Man-of-the-match Carney expressed his team's delight at securing all three points.
"New Zealand provided a real test and we're happy with the three points," he said, before alluding to the fact that the win was achieved without international stars Dwight Yorke and Saso Petrovski, both on national team duties with Trinidad and Tobago and Australia, respectively.
"It was a great effort to get the three points, especially without Dwight and Saso," said the former Everton junior.
New Zealand remain without a point from their first two matches, as Sydney move top of the A-League with four points.
Meanwhile at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide United held a determined but wasteful Queensland Roar to a scoreless draw.
The Roar dominated possession but could not capitalise on any of their chances.
However, Miron Bleiberg's men were unlucky not to go ahead when a strike by Jonti Richter went into the back of Adelaide's net, only to be incorrectly ruled 'no goal' for offside.
United themselves were guilty of wasting opportunities throughout the match, with captain Ross Aloisi coming closest with a long-range chip that hit goalkeeper Tom Willis' woodwork.
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