Brazilian’s brace helps Sydney win Cup

A second-half brace from Brazilian substitute Fabio Gomes and a goal from Slovak attacker Robert Mak secured the Sky Blues the Cup after the Roar had taken an 18th minute lead through teenage sensation Thomas Waddingham.

Waddingham’s fourth goal in five Australia Cup matches was part of a dominant first-half display from the Roar.

However, Sydney regrouped at the break to take control of the contest in the second half.

Gomes scored from the penalty spot to equalise in the 67th minute after a handball offence from Roar attacking weapon Henry Hore.

With momentum on their side, the Sky Blues went ahead five minutes when Mak scored from close range after taking advantage of a pinpoint low cross from English winger Joe Lolley, who was awarded the Mark Viduka Medal for his man-of-the-match performance.

Gomes then sealed Sydney’s win, and another Cup to add to the club’s 2017 success in the knockout competition, in stoppage time with a goal that was allowed despite Sky Blues defender Rhyan Grant being in an offside position.

Sydney star Mak said the Cup win would give the Sky Blues plenty of belief for the A-League season that starts on October 20.

“We played some very good teams in the Cup, and we beat some very good teams, and we are very confident,” Mak told Network 10.

“” We still have to work, but the trophy is there.”

Sydney captain Luke Brattan, who was part of three A-League championship-winning squads with Brisbane, said it was a “good start” for his team.

“Well done … we need to keep going,” Brattan said.

The Roar’s loss means they are still chasing their first piece of silverware since 2014.

The defeat also added to the losing run for Brisbane sporting teams in finals after the NRL’s Broncos and the AFL’s Lions lost their competition deciders last weekend.

Roar defender Scott Neville said it was “really disappointing” to lose, particularly after his side was the better team in the first-half.

“We took the lead and probably could have scored again,” Neville said.

“We’ve had a great Cup run but it’s time to put that in the past now, and work hard and focus on round one (of the A-League season).”

Brisbane dominated the first half, and were rewarded in the 18th minute with a goal from Waddingham.

Having got behind Sydney’s defence, Hore delivered a dangerous cross into the path of Nikola Mileusnic, whose shot was blocked by Grant.

Waddingham was first to react to the loose ball to stab it past Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.

Sydney defender Jake Girdwood-Reich was lucky not to be sent off in the 39th minute for a brutal challenge that collected the head of Hore.

Referee Ben Abraham issued Girdwood-Reich a yellow card for the foul, but had the VAR system been in operation, there is little doubt the Sky Blues teenager would have been given his marching orders.

Sydney’s best chance of the first half came in the eighth minute, but midfielder Anthony Caceres’ shot was well saved by Roar goalkeeper Macklin Freke.

However, the Sky Blues were to prove more clinical in the second-half to not only seal Cup glory, but also a spot in Asian competition in the 2024-25 AFC Cup.

Originally published as Sydney FC secure its second Australia Cup after surviving a Brisbane Roar scare