Sydney's defensive Shield cracks

Minor semi final second leg, QR 2 v SFC 0 (2-0 on aggregate)

OVER the next couple of days, much is likely to be made by Australia's largest city of the refereeing performance of Queenslander Mark Shield in tonight's second leg of the minor semi.

But in truth, Sydney FC can have few complaints, and the credit should instead go to Frank Farina and his men, who deservedly go through to a preliminary final, likely to be against the Mariners.

For much of the second half of the season FC have been the beneficiary of a number of borderline decisions, both on an off the field, which had helped propel them all the way into the semis.

Even a fortnight ago, after a controversial game in which Queensland's young wingers, Zullo and Kruse, were battered by the Sydney defence, Ian Fyfe was fortunate not to have a case to answer for an off the ball hit on Zullo.

Farina was right to feel dismayed about the lack of action from the Sydney-based FFA given how much he and his players had come under scrutiny this season.

John Kosmina, having secured himself an extended contract, labelled Farina a 'whinger' only a week or so after whinging about his players having to go off to a Pim Verbeek training camp.

Farina then reminded the FFA about their pre-season directive to managers about criticising their fellow managers, but still no action was taken against Sydney or its manager.

Perhaps it was all theatre, designed to build and sustain interest, but the muted response only fuelled the belief of those concerned about a conflict of interest.

Little doubt these double-standards, perceived or justified, were used by Farina to fire up his men, for they started tonight's delayed match in the mood to make a statement.

Static in the front third a fortnight ago, here the three men behind Reinaldo were full of movement, proving far too mobile for the slow Sydney midfield and defence. Zullo and Kruse, shackled in Sydney, dropped off and ran away from their markers, while Sydney's central midfield struggled to get anywhere near Marcinho, who was finding space between the two lines.

Of course, behind the front four were the irresistible M&Ms, McKay and Murdocca, who seized on everything loose and controlled the game's tempo.

By the time Reinaldo sublimely rounded a static Milligan and sent the 36,000 potty, the Roar was on top.

The controversy had started a few minutes before the opening goal, FC claiming a penalty for a 'handball' by old-boy Andy Packer. Robbie Slater was adamant he'd handled it, ignoring the push from Alex Brosque.

Then came the game's pivotal moment. Bursting out of midfield, McKay was cleaned up by Middleby. While he was angling slightly away from goal, McKay had the momentum and the nearest defender, Milligan, was some distance away. It could have gone either way, but Shield ruled in the Roar's favour and FC's job became harder, despite needing only an equaliser to go through.

There was a period early in the second half when it looked likely, the Roar, almost typically, struggling to handle the pressure. But then the experience kicked in. Despite a couple of moments, Moore remained calm at the back and McKay started to get his foot on the ball again, stroking it around from left to right, then right to left, then backwards, then square. Murdocca followed suite and the control was back.

In Minniecon, Farina had the only trump card on either bench and it was the speedster who went on an electric run down the right after skinning Zadkovich on the halfway line. Soon he was driving at a retreating Popovic, and while the chance looked to have gone, Popovic unnecessarily thrust out his arms.

The contact was soft, but it was contact, and the off-balance featherweight went down. Sydney's skipper was ropable, earning himself a card as Ognenovski thrashed his spot-kick straight down the guts.

Fortunately spot-kicks had been averted, and after far too many cagey affairs between these two sides this season, it was congratulations to the Roar for taking the initiative and marching on.