Sydney FC have ended a six-game winless streak with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Gold Coast in the A-League.
They’ve huffed and puffed in recent weeks, but Sydney FC finally blew the house down with a 2-1 A-League triumph over Gold Coast at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
Substitute Bruno Cazarine’s 89th-minute winner in front of 8541 fans ensured the Sky Blues snapped a six-game winless streak and put their stuttering campaign back on track after a run of frustrating draws and losses.
It appeared another tough day was on the cards for Sydney after United went a goal up midway through the second half through teenage striker Ben Halloran.
But midfielder Karol Kisel struck in the 71st minute then provided the cross for Cazarine’s winner to keep Sydney hanging on to a spot in the top six heading into Thursday’s big clash away to Melbourne Victory.
“I have to say this is a breakthrough for everyone at the club … for the players, the staff, Sydney FC fans and members,” Lavicka said.
“It’s only a small step that we did tonight but for the confidence, I think it’s very important.”
Lavicka’s side began brightly when marquee star Brett Emerton, overcoming an ankle problem to play, sent a curling free kick into the left hand upright before Terry Antonis had a follow up effort saved.
Gold Coast, though, began to get on top with several chances going begging including a Jonas Salley header that hit the underside of the crossbar in the 18th minute.
There were chances for both sides on either side of halftime but it was Gold Coast who made the breakthrough in the 55th minute.
Peter Jungschlager’s floated cross found Halloran at the far post and the 19-year-old took the chance well with a neat side-footed volley.
Sydney lifted in search of an equaliser, with Gold Coast defender Ante Rozic clearing off the goal line twice in the space of a minute to deny Mark Bridge and Nick Carle.
But they finally found the back of the net when a long Pascal Bosschaart throw found its way to Kisel and the Slovakian steered the ball home.
Lavicka was a relieved man to come away with the win as he earned the ire of the crowd for curiously deciding to substitute midfielder star Nick Carle for Dimi Petratos in the 75th minute as Sydney were chasing the game.
Boos rang out around the ground while one fan approached Lavicka from the stands to give him a piece of his mind.
But he stood by his decision, saying he wanted fresh legs on the park.
“Everyone in the stands has an opinion and a different one,” Lavicka said.
Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg was left to rue another frustrating one-goal defeat.
He noted Gold Coast’s squad were much younger and less paid the Sydney’s and revealed his best defender Ante Rozic had to be subbed off for an emergency toilet stop prior to Cazarine’s win.
“One in the toilet and one goal in the back of the net, that’s been our luck this season.”