Besart Berisha scored and was sent off before halftime as Brisbane Roar were held 1-1 by Sydney FC at the Allianz Stadium. The Albanian’s opener was canceled out by Seb Ryall and when the two scorers tangled near the end of the half, it was Berisha who departed. The point for the hosts keeps them in solid contention for the finals while Brisbane extended its lead at the top of the ladder.
10-man Brisbane Roar held at Sydney FC
Brisbane inched further toward securing the premiership.
Brendon Thorne
Thomas Broich provided the service for Berisha’s goal in the 22nd minute while Ryall headed in Nikola Petkovic’s corner in the 35th. Berisha’s studs-up challenge on Ryall in the 40th minute gave Sydney a man advantage for the final 65 minutes, though the Sky Blues could not quite take advantage to produce three points. Late chances from both sides kept the game interesting but ultimately without a winner.
Sydney play again next Friday night, March 21, at Adelaide United. The two sides are currently separated by just two points. Brisbane host Melbourne Victory on Saturday March 22 and will hope to take advantage of the weary Victorian side at Suncorp Stadium.
Scoring:
BRI Berisha (Broich) 22’
SYD Ryall (Petkovic) 35’
Line-ups:
Sydney FC: Janjetovic; Jurman, Petkovic, Ognenovski, Ryall (Calver 60’); Gligor; Urosevski, Abbas, Antonis, Gameiro (Chianese 66’); Garcia (Naumoff 81’)
Unused substitutes: Necevski, Thompson
Brisbane Roar: Theo; Brown (Ferreira 81’), Stefanutto, Smith, Hingert; McKay, Brattan, Miller (Lustica 77’); Broich, Berisha, Petratos (Henrique 77’)
Unused substitutes: Acton, Borrello
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