Sydney 1 Phoenix 2

The Nix did it. A first win and fully deserved.

Sydney looked tired, and lacking in ideas. What now for Branko FC? They are bottom of the A-League.

And Daniel, Michael Ferrante and Shane Smeltz all played well. Felipe stole the show with his goal.

This report was written as the game evolved.


Dreadful defending by Phoenix allowed Adam Casey to charge down a clearance, compose himself and slot home to the delight and possible surprise of the Cove.

The Nix countered through a wonder strike by new Brazilian import Felipe. He picked up a ball just outside the box, skipped away from the Tony Popovic and struck hard and low from outside the box. The ball screamed into Clint Bolton's bottom corner.

Game on. An open exciting game developed.

Zadkovich runs into Daniel inside the box. The Brazilian goes down faster than a Liberal vote and Matthew Breeze says Penalty.

Penalty 27 minutes to the Nix!. Daniel scores but a re-take is ordered.

And he scores again

After 4 goals in four A-League games last week we had two after nine minutes.



How many more goals can Zadkovich give away. Newcastle, Adelaide and The Nix all come to mind.

Time to get Zadkovich away from the defence me thinks.

So 2-1 down suddenly Sydney are in crises.

But the four Phoenix fans are jumping up and down with joy. Good to see.

So what can the Cove do now. They have been in great voice but the second goal from nowhere has sorely tested them.

Are the Nix better than I thought? Well Felipe has started to show, and of course Sydney are beginning to look a little lacking in ideas as they push for an equalizer.

Daniel, Felipe and Johnson combine well but Felipe takes a dive.
Adam Casey and Patrick are still struggling to combine.

The pace has slowed and The Nix are looking comfortable, very comfortable. Ferrante and Smeltz combine and Clint Bolton is relieved to see the ball go wide.

Bolton gave the impression of a man beaten. A wasted chance for the Nix.

Daniel and Felipe are combining beutifully. Can Corica lift? Is Zadkovih really an Olyroo? Did Poppa ever play for the Socceroos? Can Brosque sort t, afterall he's a Socceroo.

Patrick and Casey upfront shows Branko isn;t really sure, not really is he?

An intriguing game has developed. Sydney pressing The Nix, breaking.

Brosque is woking hard, finding space and turning defenders.

Brosque gathers again, releases Patrick and he dives. No penalty!

Half-time and what does the great man, Branko do now?

One thing is for sure we have more goals to come. Yippee!

Second half, Sydney looking a little lost. Working hard but it's not happening for anyone, especially Patrick

Seems to me only Stevie Corica can break the Nix, and of course it's got 3-1 written over it.

Sydney pushing, but it just feels like the Nix might do em.

We'll see, an intriguing game and the Brazilians seem to be tiring.

Ufuk Talay isn't firing. Giving away posession easily. And now Mark Rudan gets a card for a foul on Andy Lochhead.

Sydney who did so well in Asia are struggling...and from the free-kick O'dor should have scored past Bolton.

O'Do ghosted past Popovic..yes Poppa is proving to be well worth the money...in Qatar!

Branko drags off Patrick who has a few words as he ran off up the tunnel.

Robbie Middleby is on, Brendan Santalab on and Adam Casey the goal scorer is off.

Branko is worried. And he should be. His team are mediocre to say the least!

And Robbie Middleby sets off and Brosque finds the ball in front of him and he slams it against the post.

Felipe is off on a stretcher and Vaughan Coveny comes on.

Sydney are walking Milligan looks tired, Santalab looks sharp. Middleby is starting to show, but there is a lack of Corica all over this effort.

Stevie is quiet and Sydney are looking wayward.

The Nix are hanging on, but without much concern really.

Ball breaks to Daniel and he hones in on goal and slams a shot wide.

Brosque runs at Karl Dodd, should have passed it off with Middleby free in on goal.but Brosque...nearly got it right.

Brosque doesn't quite deliver. Not last year, not this, not yet anyway.

Sydney are starting to lift, and the crowd are sensing it.

Ferrante plays Daniel in agaiin and Bolton saves somehow! How?

Brosque takes it on the other side, but it's all too fast too intricate.

Who will score next?

Felipe is okay for next week, well another 60 minutes, say the commentators!

Crowd is 11,491 but it's a hard-core fans tonight. What can Sydney do to get that crowd bigger.

A win would help but it's not looking likely, but you never know.

Simon Hill, says "Branko plays his final joker..." as David Zdrillic gets ready to come on.

All out attack. This could end in tears. Zdrillic is on.

Middleby, Milligan, Talay and Corica. Crucial players all looking dis-interested.

What is going on at Branko FC?

They are trying the lads in blue, but the confidence is draining as each minute goes by.

Talay hits a shot wide.

Keeper Glen Moss saves from Middleby. Great smother, but Sydney are coming now.

It's desperate now. The players, the crowd, it's not coming. The Nix are hoping to get them on the break..and they might.

Michael Ferrante has impressed, Ross Aloisi gets booked for time wasting.

Zadkovich shows his frustration and slides into Karl Dodd. Zadkovich booked again!

Where now for Sydney FC?

A powder puff finish and The Nix look to have the three points. It's all down the Nix end now.