Sydney vs Adelaide - Post Game

Finally great weather, a positive outlook on both a result and how we intend to play the game but still the fickle Sydney public stay away. The crowd announced was 14 000 but it seemed similar to last week. The big plus however was the noise from the Cove. Was awesome to be a part of!

Branko obviously learnt from last weeks second half performance and duly started with a back 3, looking something like:

---------------Bolton
-------Rudan-Poppa-Fyfe
Zadkovich-Mcflynn-Talay-Middleby
------------Juninho
----------------------Corica
---------------Brosque

First goal of the match went to Burns and all I can do (in hindsight of course ;) ) is just stand and applaud. He makes McFlynn look stupid, Zadkovich then jumps in, he skips past Rudan who was trying to avoid giving away a penalty and squares it to the unmarked fullback coming through, Richie Alagich for a cool finish low past Boltons left leg while our defenders track other runners. Could be a limitation of a back 3 but also just sublime football from Burns drawing defender after defender. I really rate this kid.

A couple of minutes later Alagich turned from hero to zero, pulling down Middleby in the box and gifting Talay a penalty. I can’t remember a penalty where Talay hasn’t gone top right and I called it again. Bajic has obviously been watching too and picked the side, diving and saving the first attempt, only to knock it back into Talay’s path for a second bite at the cherry which he didn’t miss.

After the break Branko showed his tactical nouse in taking off the clearly out of his depth Popovic (A scary thought for the season although maybe he was carrying a knock to his back after a collision with Bolton earlier in the game) and bringing on the man of the moment, Patrick! We then saw saw Zadkovich shift into the centre of the back 3 and Middleby move out wide on the right. I didn’t understand it so much at the time but Branko’s justification was that with no defensive options on the bench, Zad was put in to try to bring some pace to the backline, letting him play as a sweeper. Fair enough I think.

Sydney once again took the lead thanks to a sublime run and pinpoint finish across Bajic but it was all thanks to Juninho. He sat on the ball, calmly sized up the moment and played the ball perfectly for Brosque to latch onto and finish extremely well. A beautiful goal to watch.

I was a big Patrick skeptic but I have to say even with his miss from 2 yards (Can you imagine what people would be saying if it was Zdrilic who missed this one?) he is a beauty to watch and I can’t wait to see him start next week. When he was warming up in front of The Cove and his name was being chanted he couldn’t understand what was being said and acted very shy and humble. When he came on the park he was a whole different player, brimming with confidence and skill on and off the ball, always looking to be involved. The crowd responded to this which I thought was a great sign. Keep your eye on the partnership this guy is going to form with Brosque. Having Patrick in the squad should allow Brosque to play his natural game and run at defenders, playing off the big man which I am very excited about.

But a draw was always on the cards with Sydney’s backline and a non confident Bolton failing to claim in his box after a defensive line failure to clear saw Djite push it across and let Burns tap in with his head for a deserved brace. Bolton mate, if it wasn’t time already for a sit on the bench then it definitely is now. How you got into the Socceroos squad on your current form I will never know! (Doubles as the customary dig at Arnold too)

From the individual brilliance of Burns, a beautifully played goal thanks to Juninho and Brosque, end to end attacking play and of course controversy thanks to Mark Shields failing to see Brosque get pulled down in the box right in front of him, this game had it all. Too bad the crowd on hand to watch was just over 14 000. Disappointing Sydney, disappointing…

I am relieved that our underdone side has managed to take a point from the (in my opinion) two strongest teams in the comp in their opening two matches and showed real promise for the rest of the season. The mountain of draws in the other matches also see Sydney not far from the 4 at all.

Looking ahead to next week the payers we may have out looks ridiculous to be honest. Milligan and Zadkovic on Olyroos duty, Brosque and Bolton on Socceroos duty, Popovic and Juninho in doubt along with Casey, Vidiac and Timpano on the long term list. That is arguably a starting line up right there… I have no idea what to expect.

DANE