'You know why the Yankees always win, Frank?'' asks Christopher Walken's character in Catch Me If You Can. ''Because the other teams can't take their eyes off the pinstripes.''
Perhaps it was Sydney's new kit that distracted Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium on Sunday night. Whatever it was, they couldn't put Sydney FC away, and the Sky Blues banked the points.
More than the points, however, is the position. Sydney, after what seems an eternity, are back in the top six.
Are they good enough to stay there? That remains an interesting sell. But the strength of those around them - they're wedged between Melbourne Heart and Newcastle - isn't to be feared.
Therefore, where Sydney finish from here is firmly in their own hands. As it should be. As it should have always been. Especially with a squad worth double what the league's top team is being paid.
No one will be more pleased than Frank Farina. It's one thing to pick up a win against a former employer; to do it against the employer that sacked you must be the sweetest of all. He played it down but he's human. Schadenfreude is a powerful emotion.
The story of the night, however, is entirely positive. Every Sydney fan will remember Peter Triantis's first goal fondly. The player will never forget it - even if he later claimed that it was all a blur.
Can there be a better feeling than putting one's boot through a ball that goes exactly where you want? To win the match, no less. What a wonderful strike.
In truth, had Jason Culina not had a falling out with Farina on Friday at training, the moment would never have came. Call it swings and roundabouts.
Three votes must go to Alessandro Del Piero. His was a splendid, virtuoso performance. Granted, he didn't score four (just the one this time), but he was an eternal threat Brisbane never completely dealt with.
On this occasion, the Italian had to balance the thankless task of chasing and hounding the visitors' defence, creating and executing on the attack. He did both.
No wonder they want him in Brazil. No wonder they want him in Sydney. At this rate, Juventus might be asking to have him back. Either way, Sydney need to pin him down, and the pressure should be on the club until his signature appears. On behalf of all football fans, just get it done.
His genius aside, it wouldn't be unkind to say the opening half wasn't high on inspiration.
Neither side played with the shape nor tactical discipline to piece together moves of any meaningful quality, and few real chances were generated. Sydney's goal came simply because Del Piero remains a menace to defend against.
Ivan Franjic, filling in at centre-half for the Roar, was made to look like the temporary solution he was by the Italian superstar. Del Piero received the ball in such a way to leave Franjic off-balance before turning him the wrong way twice more and then firing home. Brisbane perhaps had more possession in the next hour but what they did with it wasn't of sufficient quality.
One can only imagine how frustrating it has been to be a Roar player this year. They try to play football the right way but it invariably falls apart around halfway.
The Queenslanders lack a presence in midfield without Erik Paartalu, even if he was below par before being sold to Tianjin Teda. Throw in the absence of Massimo Murdocca, out with an ankle injury, and it wasn't hard to work out where they lacked direction.
To Brisbane's credit, their equaliser wasn't undeserved, and they did improve towards the end of the first half.
Referee Ben Williams was correct to award the penalty, despite the local protestations. Sticking your leg out, the way Fabio did, is asking for trouble. Besart Berisha dragged his ankles and took advantage. His penalty, too, was clinically dispatched.
But the 14,589 present wouldn't go home disappointed, and the Albanian - never the most popular figure in the harbour city - would go home disappointed. The 21-year-old Triantis made sure of that.
No comments:
Post a Comment