Sydney FC finish all square with Perth

Updated January 18, 2012 23:29:01

After four straight losses Sydney has drawn 1-1 against Perth in its rescheduled community-round A-League clash at Campbelltown Stadium on Wednesday.

Striker Mark Bridge put the hosts in front in the first half and looked like sealing the win for Sydney before the Glory equalised through an 88th-minute header by Adam Hughes.

The crowd turned out to witness the home-coming of local hero Brett Emerton but Bridge was Sydney's saviour with the crucial point moving the Sky Blues back into the top six while the Glory remain in fifth place.

It was a case of survival of the fittest in the searing western Sydney heat with the mercury climbing past 30 degrees Celsius.

Both teams appeared stifled by the heat in what was a slow starting affair with the extreme heat policy implemented allowing a two-minute drinks break midway through both halves.

It took until the 28th minute for the first chance of the match when Perth's Liam Miller took a free-kick from just outside the box, forcing the diving save from Sydney gloveman Liam Reddy.

It was the hosts who finally broke the deadlock in first half injury-time when Bridge, who scored the winner when the teams last clashed in round six, got on the end of a perfectly placed Nicky Carle cross into the box.

The Sky Blues almost doubled their advantage a minute later when teen Terry Antonis attempted a sweet left-footed strike, Glory goalkeeper Danny Vukovic doing well to save the effort.

It was a fired-up Sydney that returned in the second half looking to create chances, with Antonis attempting a strike right away.

Glory's Andrezinho was in with a chance in the second half when he showed some of his Brazilian flair to weave past the Sky Blues defence, only to be stopped before he could find the equaliser.

Steve Pantelidis had the best opportunity to level for the visitors when he connected with a Mile Sterjovski free-kick, his shot going wide.

But it was substitute Hughes who levelled with a late header off a corner from another late substitute Evan Berger.

Sydney FC: 1 (M Bridge 45')

Perth Glory: 1 (A Hughes 88')

AAP

Tags: soccer, a-league, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted January 18, 2012 20:18:43

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Kosmina's return finishes all square

By Mike Tuckerman

Updated December 23, 2011 10:54:05

The pre-match hype surrounded John Kosmina but Sydney FC was in no mood for sentiment as it twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Adelaide United at the Sydney Football Stadium on Thursday night.

Kosmina returned for his second spell in charge of Adelaide after Rini Coolen's dismissal last weekend, as he took on another of his former clubs in the form of Sydney.

Playing without star striker Sergio van Dijk, who was missing through a hip flexor strain, Adelaide twice took the lead but was pegged back by a determined Sydney outfit, which had youngster Dimitri Petratos to thank for scoring the all-important equaliser midway through the second half.

"It seems to me it's more tough to play at home than away," Sydney coach Vitezslav Lavicka said after the game.

"We're always chasing the game, so there is disappointment because we wanted to pick up three points tonight."

Petratos' thunderous volley was the final goal of a topsy-turvy affair, as Kosmina was forced to settle for a point on his return to the A-League coaching ranks.

Criticised before the game for lacking his coaching 'A-licence,' Kosmina made light of the missing paperwork by living every kick and pass from the sideline.

With the words "get into them, son" scrawled on the top of his coffee cup, Kosmina's team did exactly that as defender Daniel Mullen headed home an early opener.

Sydney equalised from the penalty spot after Nigel Boogaard had brought down Bruno Cazarine, before Adelaide's Iain Ramsay was booked for grabbing the throat of Sydney defender Jamie Coyne, as tempers frayed between the two fierce rivals.

The argy-bargy continued in the second half when Sydney goalkeeper Liam Reddy brought down Bruce Djite inside the penalty box, and although Reddy saved Dario Vidosic's spot-kick, the young attacker promptly slammed home the rebound.

But Kosmina's dream of a winning return was dashed by 19-year-old midfielder Petratos, who crashed home a spectacular half-volley to frustrate the visitors, as Adelaide finished the game with 10 men following Iain Ramsay's late dismissal.

"I enjoyed it," Kosmina said of his return to the A-League.

"There's smiles on the boys faces in the dressing room as well and it's probably because we almost got away with that. I think Sydney were a bit lucky with their equaliser."

Kosmina was pleased with his team's response to a turbulent week.

"Coming from the position our guys did, having been under the pump and with all the changes and the drama, I think it was a fantastic effort," he said.

"The fact is you have to show a bit of ticker and these guys did - unbelievable effort."

Sydney FC: 2 (K Kisel pen 19', D Petratos 66')

Adelaide United: 2 (D Mullen 8', Vidosic 56')

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, sydney-2000, nsw, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted December 22, 2011 21:55:27

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Real, Barca all square in El Clasico

 Published:Sunday, April 17, 2011 8:11 AEST

Marcelo of Real Madrid clears the ball beside Pedro Rodriguez of Barcelona during the La Liga El Clasico derby at the Bernabeu on April 16, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. The match ended 1-1.

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