Former striker puts boot into Sydney

Central Coast Mariners rained on Sydney FC’s opening match of the season, snatching a 1-0 victory in the New South Wales local derby.

Former Sydney FC striker Sasho Petrovski marked his return to Sydney Football Stadium with his 6th-minute goal, which was enough to send the three points to Gosford. Sydney FC could have snatched a draw late in the match but were thwarted by Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic.

A big crowd of 18,457 was on hand despite the pre-match downpour but Petrovski silenced The Cove by calmly slotting the ball past Clint Bolton. Andre Gumprecht intercepted a pass from the Sydney FC custodian before playing in the new Mariners recruit.

The first half was an open and lively affair, with both teams creating a number of good chances. Mark Milligan almost struck back for Sydney FC five minutes later, surging forward from the halfway line. His long-range drive was deflected over the crossbar.

There was a start up front for Sydney FC youngster Adam Biddle, who looked lively on debut. He peeled wide after 16 minutes, whipping in a cross which Alex Brosque looped over.

Central Coast Mariners then enjoyed a sustained spell of possession with their best chance falling to Nick Mrdja. His low, driving shot skidded past Clint Bolton only to cannon off the post.

Juninho and Steve Corica began to get onto the ball more often as Sydney FC started to look more creative. Just before the interval their neat one-two played Corica into the box, drawing a sharp smother from Vukovic at the Australian's feet.

The Sydney FC fans then thought they had the goal they craved when Juninho showed quick feet to round his defender but Vukovic forced him wide and he was unable to get a clean strike on goal.

Sydney FC coach Branko Cullina made a significant tactical alteration at the half-time break, changing to three at the back. Mark Milligan reverted to sweeper, the role in which he starred for Australia in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, with Terry McFlynn moved to central midfield.

Substitute Ruben Zadkovich added spark to the right flank despite having just flown back from Qantas Under 23s duty.

The Cove continued singing in the rain, trying to spur Sydney FC towards an equaliser. The home side came close with a number of Juninho free kicks that ricocheted around the box, however, the first clear chance of the second period fell to Mrdja, whose shot forced Bolton to save with his legs on 64 minutes.

Robbie Middleby was introduced for Iain Fyfe as Culina tried to add pace and width to Sydney FC's attack. Vukovic came to Central Coast Mariners' rescue soon afterwards when a smart diagonal run by Zadkovich forced another one-on-one save.

Barely a minute later Vukovic was left stranded out of his box after clearing a ball played through for Brosque. Sydney FC supporters held their breath as Juninho's long range shot sailed over the crossbar.

Sydney FC came tantalisingly close to an equaliser in the last ten minutes. Mark Rudan found himself unmarked at the back post in the 86th minute only to see his shot cleared off the line by Nigel Boogaard.

The rain was pelting down as Sydney FC poured forward in the dying moments. Juninho came within inches with a free kick before finding himself clear on goal deep in stoppage time, however, he was unable to pick out anyone with a pass.

A-League Round One - Match Details:

Sydney FC - 0
Central Coast Mariners - 1   (Sasho Petrovski 6')
Crowd: 18,457 @ the Sydney Football Stadium. Referee: Peter Green

Team Line-ups:

Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk) 2 Iain Fyfe (7 Robbie Middleby 71') 4 Mark Rudan, 6 Tony Popovic (captain), 10 Steve Corica, 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn (9 David Zdrilic 84'), 16 Mark Milligan, 21 Adam Biddle (8 Ruben Zadkovich 45'), 22 Juninho, 23 Ufuk Talay. Unused Subs: 30 Matthew Nash (gk). Yellow Cards: Talay 43'.

Central Coast Mariners: 20 Danny Vukovic (gk), 6 Andre Gumprecht (12 Greg Owens 63'), 7 John Hutchinson, 8 Dean Heffernan, 16 Nigel Boogaard, 17 Matthew Osman, 18 Alex Wilkinson (captain), 19 Adam Kwasnik (10 Tom Pondeljak 71'), 22 Sasho Petrovski (2 Matthew Simon 78'), 23 Michael Jedinak. Unused Subs: 1 Matthew Trott (gk). Yellow cards: Heffernan 41', Jedinak 42', Petrovski 52', Boogaard 61'.

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