Super Roar shock Sydney
Tue 19 February 2008
Jacob Grams, Bachelor of Journalism
Queensland Roar took on Sydney FC in the second leg of the A-League Minor Semifinal on February 9 at the world-class Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Dedicated fans poured into the ground, much like the rain from the severe thunderstorm that struck the city a half-hour before the scheduled 7:30pm kick-off. Barely 15 minutes of heavy rain flooded the ground, and the match kick-off was then post-poned by about half an hour. This only allowed more fans to enter the stadium before the start of the Roar’s most historic encounter. The game also had a State of Origin feel to it which added to the cauldron-like atmosphere.
The teams and officials made their way on to the ground to a roaring reception, and with the referee’s whistle the game got underway. The early pace of the game was frenetic, with the Roar holding the early ascendancy. In the 13th minute Queensland’s Brazilian-born striker Reinaldo sent the home crowd into a frenzy, when he led an attack down the left touchline, stepped past two defenders, and launched the ball into the net from an acute angle to score a magnificent goal.
Barely five minutes later the drama continued with midfielder Matt McKay finding open space in behind the opposing defence, only for Sydney midfielder Robbie Middleby to bring him down with a blatant challenge. Middleby received a red card for his efforts which seemed to please the home crowd. Through the remainder of the first half Queensland peppered the Sydney defence but could not secure a second goal.
Despite being reduced to ten men in the first half, Sydney began to play as a team and put plenty of pressure on the Roar defence. The crowd became slightly more subdued in the second half, knowing that an equaliser from Sydney would take them through to the preliminary final. After a fantastic first half Reinaldo injured himself attempting a tackle and was replaced by Simon Lynch in the 54th minute. Queensland’s little midfielder Michael Zullo earned a rest in the 71st minute, which paved the way for Tahj Minniecon to inject some fresh legs into the tired Roar attack.
The Queensland attack sparked to life in the 77th minute as Robbie Kruse found space down the sideline and delivered a perfect cross to striker Lynch, who finished the play off in style. However, Queensland were denied the goal by the referee’s offside flag, halting the celebrations. Then in the 82nd minute Minniecon danced around Sydney veteran Tony Popovic, made his away into the area, prepared for his shot, but was then pushed to the ground by Popovic, earning Queensland a spot-kick.
Roar midfielder Sasa Ognenovski was given the honour of taking the kick. He contemplated for a moment then let loose with the shot that ultimately secured the match, and produced a deafening roar from the home crowd. As the clock reached 90 minutes the Roar crowd began to realise that their team had done it, and waited for the final whistle to blow, which sent the Roar crowd crazy.
What a magnificent game of football. This reporter’s first but definitely not his last.
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