Sydney hangs tough

Patrick's first goal for Sydney FC has handed Branko Culina his maiden Hyundai A-League victory with a 1-0 win over Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium.

The Brazilian striker, relegated to the bench after starting the past two matches, tapped home the winner within 60 seconds of his introduction as a second-half substitute for Ufuk Talay.

Sydney coach Branko Culina's positive intent paid dividends with goalkeeper Clint Bolton having kept the visitors in the game to that point, twice denying Roar's Brazilian striker Reinaldo with his second save an outstanding tip over the crossbar after great work from Marcinho.

Queensland enjoyed the lion's share of possession but couldn't find a way past an inspired Sydney defence with Bolton thwarting sub Sasa Ognenovski with a fine fingertip save in the closing stages.

Stand-in skipper Mark Milligan was outstanding as a replacement for club captain Tony Popovic in central defence with Culina, minus marquee signing Juninho, also handing Brendon Santalab his first league start after a succession of injuries.

Santalab's first involvement was when he was scythed down by Danny Tiatto just outside the area but Talay's resulting free-kick went well wide with the sides largely cancelling each other out in an uninspiring opening.

Alex Brosque's miscontrol right in front of the fans which used to adore him was typical of the first 25 minutes before the home side gradually commanded the ascendancy with Simon Lynch and Marcinho finally testing Bolton.

The visiting 'keeper also ensured the teams went into the break all square with a superb reflex parry from Reinaldo after Craig Moore's downward far post header was cleared off the line by Adam Casey.

Culina's half-time team talk helped a reenergised Sydney gain a foothold in the contest with Ruben Zadkovich cutting in easily from the left flank before drilling a shot past a motionless Liam Reddy then Steve Corica teeing up Brosque who failed to connect six yards from goal.

Frank Farina introduced Massimo Murdocca for Ante Milicic just before the hour mark with the diminutive midfielder instantly adding appetite to Queensland's play.

Murdocca found space on the right with his low centre turned away by Mark Rudan with Lynch hovering, then moments later Bolton showed supreme athleticism to tip Reinaldo's point blank header over the bar.

A delighted Culina then celebrated Patrick's 69th minute tap-in, one of the easiest goals the South American import will probably score after Corica's cross found him unmarked in the Roar's six-yard box.

There was still time for Rudan and Reinaldo to head chances over and Bolton to tip Ognenovski's effort around the post but Sydney clung on to move up to fifth on goal difference from the fourth-placed Roar.

Queensland Roar 0
Sydney FC 1 (Patrick 69)
16,582 at Suncorp Stadium