¤ 29 December 2006: Sydney FC is found guilty of “multiple breaches of the Player Contracting Regulations“, warranting a fine of $259,000 and a three-point penalty. The fine was reduced to $129,000 and the points deduction to two (although the previously suspended one point penalty for an earlier breach was activated) in light of the Sydney FC board’s “co-operation and full disclosure” during the investigation. The breaches included “an undisclosed payment made to a player; pre-payments from the club to players; and payments made by the club to agents of the players”, and all related to the 2005-06 season. Striker David Zdrilic is strongly implicated in the scandal, allegedly centred around payments made to his agent Alan McGrouther. The penalty, pending appeal, will drop Sydney from second to third position on the ladder.[FFA][FS]
¤ 01 January 2007: Sydney FC vs Newcastle United Jets FC, EnergyAustralia Stadium, 6:00pm (A-League – Rd 18)
Sydney FC regain second spot on New Year’s Day following their points deduction, defeating Newcastle United in their first home match after five games on the road. The 2-0 win is Sydney’s ninth consecutive undefeated match, and fifth consecutive clean sheet, won with a clever team goal to Alex Brosque shortly after half-time and a long-range lob by Sasho Petrovski in injury time. The 20,980 crowd is a Newcastle football record, surpassing the 1955 attendance of 18,517 for Australia vs Rapid Vienna.[A-L][A-L][NUJ]
Sydney FC 2 (Brosque 46′, Petrovski 90+1′) def. Newcastle United Jets 0
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 3 Alvin Ceccoli, 6 Ufuk Talay, 7 Robbie Middleby (11 Sasho Petrovski 71′), 8 Ruben Zadkovich, 10 Steve Corica (c), 12 David Carney, 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn, 16 Mark Milligan
Newcastle United Jets: 40 Ante Covic (gk), 2 Steve Eagleton (22 Steven Old 83′), 3 Jade North, 6 Andrew Durante, 8 Matt Thompson, 9 Vaughan Coveny (5 Milton Rodriguez 65′), 10 Nick Carle (c), 15 Stuart Musialik, 18 Joel Griffiths, 19 Mark Bridge, 24 Paul Kohler (25 Tim Brown 56′)
Cautions: Griffiths 78′
¤ 03 January 2007: Sydney FC releases assistant coach Ian Crook to re-unite with former Sydney FC manager Pierre Littbarski at Avispa Fukuoka in Japan. Strength/conditioning coach Anthony Crea will step in as acting assistant.[TWG]
¤ 04 January 2007: Sydney FC elects not to appeal their penalty for player contracting breaches, the three point deduction leaving them one point ahead of Adelaide United on the ladder with three matches remaining.[FFA]
¤ 07 January 2007: Sydney FC vs New Zealand Knights FC, Aussie Stadium, 6:00pm (A-League – Rd 19)
The Barmy Army sees just about their only win of the summer as the bottom-placed Knights take a shock victory. Che Bunce’s goal from a corner is the first to get past Clint Bolton in 456 minutes of A-League football, and it wins the match, with the woodwork denying Sydney twice in the second half. Adelaide’s loss to Queensland on Friday however, allows Sydney to remain in second place.[A-L][A-L]
New Zealand Knights 1 (Bunce 16′) def. Sydney FC 0
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 3 Alvin Ceccoli, 6 Ufuk Talay, 8 Ruben Zadkovich, 10 Steve Corica (c), 12 David Carney, 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn, 16 Mark Milligan (9 David Zdrilic 81′), 17 Jacob Timpano (11 Sasho Petrovski 46′)
New zealand Knights: 12 Mark Paston (gk), 2 Darren Bazeley (c), 4 Che Bunce, 6 Neil Emblen, 7 Richard Johnson, 13 Jonas Salley, 16 Noah Hickey (18 Michael White 90+3′), 22 John Tambouras, 28 Alen Marcina (8 Scot Gemmill 77′), 31 Gao Leilei (14 Malik Buari 86′), 33 Dean Gordon
Cautions: Timpano 8′ Salley 47′, Milligan 57′, Marcina 57′
¤ 14 January 2007: Sydney FC vs Adelaide United FC, Hindmarsh Stadium, 5:30pm (A-League – Rd 20)
Sydney drops back to third position with one round remaining, registering a second consecutive 0-1 loss. The somewhat fortunate winner comes via Fernando’s stomach from a free kick in the 89th minute. Yellow cards to both Terry McFlynn and Mark Milligan will see them suspended for Sydney’s final match away to Queensland.[A-L][A-L]
Adelaide United 1 (Fernando 89′) def. Sydney FC 0
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 3 Alvin Ceccoli (8 Ruben Zadkovich 33′), 4 Mark Rudan (c), 6 Ufuk Talay (17 Jacob Timpano 89′), 7 Robbie Middleby, 10 Steve Corica, 12 David Carney (9 David Zdrilic 79′), 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn, 16 Mark Milligan
Adelaide United: 1 Daniel Beltrame (gk), 2 Richie Alagich, 4 Angelo Costanzo, 5 Michael Valkanis, 6 Ross Aloisi (c), 8 Carl Veart (26 Diego 70′), 9 Mathew Kemp, 10 Fernando, 15 Nathan Burns (12 Greg Owens 79′), 16 Bobby Petta, 21 Jason Spagnuolo (13 Travis Dodd 53′)
Cautions: McFlynn 28′, Milligan 88′
¤ 16 January 2007: Sydney FC sign Tallan Martin on a two-game deal to replace Jeremy Brockie who will be away on New Zealand international duty. With Mark Milligan and Terry McFlynn suspended, and Alvin Ceccoli and Jacob Timpano injured, Sydney is still struggling to field a full squad for the upcoming match.[SMH]
¤ 18 January 2007: Nikolai Topor-Stanley returns to Sydney FC on a short-term deal as injury replacement for Jacob Timpano. The signing was initially blocked by the FFA, but now gives Sydney a tentative three-man bench for the match against Queensland.[A-L]
¤ 20 January 2007: Sydney FC vs Queensland Roar FC, Suncorp Stadium, 7:00pm (A-League – Rd 21)
Newcastle’s remarkable 4-0 win over Premiers Melbourne on Friday means that Sydney must pick up at least a point against Queensland in the final match. Alex Brosque’s third goal in five matches puts Sydney into the lead, but this is cancelled out just seven minutes later by Damian Mori. Clint Bolton makes a remarkable save from Mori later in the match, and Sydney hang on for the draw and fourth place despite Ufuk Talay’s send off with 10 minutes remaining.[A-L][A-L]
Sydney FC 1 (Brosque 13′) drew Queensland Roar 1 (Mori 20′)
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 4 Mark Rudan (c), 6 Ufuk Talay, 7 Robbie Middleby, 8 Ruben Zadkovich, 9 David Zdrilic (11 Sasho Petrovski 64′), 10 Steve Corica, 12 David Carney, 14 Alex Brosque, 21 Nikolai Topor-Stanley
Queensland Roar: 20 Liam Reddy (gk), 2 Andrew Packer (c), 3 Remo Buess (9 Simon Lynch 86′), 8 Massimo Murdocca (10 Ante Milicic 46′), 11 Reinaldo, 13 Spase Dilevski, 14 Ben Griffin, 16 Seo Hyuk-Su, 17 Damian Mori, 18 Dario Vidosic, 19 Sasa Ognenovski
Cautions: Talay 14′, Bolton 84′, Lynch 89′, Milicic 90+1′, Petrovski 90+4′
Sent off: Talay 81′
¤ 22 January 2007: The 2007 finals series is launched, with Newcastle electing to play the first leg of the minor semi-final against Sydney FC at Aussie Stadium.[A-L]
¤ 23 January 2007: Sydney FC re-signs Terry McFlynn for three years, and Robbie Middleby for a further two years.[SFC]
¤ 24 January 2007: 16-year-old left fullback Nikolas Tsattalios (NSWIS) signs with Sydney FC.[SMH]
¤ 26 January 2007: Sydney FC vs Newcastle United Jets FC, Aussie Stadium, 8:00pm (A-League – Minor Semi-Final Leg 1)
Sydney FC take a two-goal lead in an impressive first half, but concede a crucial away goal to Newcastle through Milton Rodriguez past Clint Bolton’s near post.[A-L][A-L]
Sydney FC 2 (Brosque 15′, Milligan 30′) def. Newcastle United Jets 1 (Rodriguez 71′)
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 4 Mark Rudan (c), 7 Robbie Middleby (9 David Zdrilic 90′), 8 Ruben Zadkovich, 10 Steve Corica, 12 David Carney, 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn (11 Sasho Petrovski 46′), 16 Mark Milligan, 21 Nikolai Topor-Stanley
Newcastle United Jets: 40 Ante Covic, 2 Steve Eagleton, 3 Jade North, 8 Matt Thompson, 9 Vaughan Coveny (5 Milton Rodriguez 56′), 10 Nick Carle, 12 Paul Okon (c), 15 Stuart Musialik, 18 Joel Griffiths, 19 Mark Bridge, 25 Tim Brown
Cautions: Milligan 57′, Brosque 63′, Griffiths 73′
¤ 30 January 2007: Olyroos midfielder Adam Casey (New Zealand Knights) signs a two-year deal with Sydney FC.[FS]
¤ 31 January 2007: Sydney FC signs former New Zealand Knights player Jonas Salley for the finals, after it is confirmed that midfielder Terry McFlynn will be out for the remainder of the season after tearing his groin in the first leg of their minor semi-final against Newcastle.[TWG][SFC]
¤ 01 February 2007: Sydney FC is reportedly suing former captain Dwight Yorke for approximately A$450,000, claiming the player breached holiday conditions in his contract.[TWG]
¤ 02 February 2007: Sydney FC secure a one-year loan deal for 16-year-old goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis from Liverpool FC. Reserve ‘keeper Justin Pasfield is reportedly set to leave the club at the end of the finals series.[SMH]
¤ 02 February 2007: Sydney FC vs Newcastle United Jets FC, EnergyAustralia Stadium, 8:00pm (A-League – Minor Semi-Final Leg 2)
Sydney FC’s Championship defence comes to an end, bowing out of the finals series in a turbulent match which sees six yellow cards handed out to the visiting side. Two of those go to Alex Brosque, who is sent off towards the end of the first half for his part in causing a scuffle. Sydney were perhaps lucky to keep the margin to two, with Nick Carle being brought down inside the penalty area, and Ufuk Talay appearing to stop a goal with his arm.[A-L][A-L]
Newcastle United Jets 2 (Griffiths 57′, Coveny 71′) def. Sydney FC 0
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 4 Mark Rudan (c; 9 David Zdrilic 75′), 6 Ufuk Talay (31 Jonas Salley 75′), 7 Robbie Middleby, 8 Ruben Zadkovic
¤ 04 February 2007: Former Perth Glory striker Luka Glavas and Central Coast Mariners midfielder Noel Spencer are signed on short-term deals for Sydney FC’s AFC Champions League campaign.[TF][SMH]
¤ 08 February 2007: Sydney FC confirm the sacking of manager Terry Butcher, announcing that an interim structure will be put in place for the upcoming AFC Champions League.[SFC]
¤ 12 February 2007: Sydney FC’s highest all-time goalscorer Sasho Petrovski signs with the Central Coast Mariners.[TWG]
¤ 13 February 2007: Former Soccer NSW technical director Branko Culina is confirmed as Sydney FC’s interim coach for the AFC Champions League.[SFC]
¤ 13 February 2007: Sydney FC’s squad for the AFC Champions League is announced: Clint Bolton, Jeremy Brockie, Alex Brosque, Dean Bouzanis, Adam Casey, David Carney, Steve Corica, Iain Fyfe, Luka Glavas, Terry McFlynn, Robbie Middleby, Mark Milligan, Justin Pasfield, Noel Spencer, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Mark Rudan, Ufuk Talay, Jacob Timpano, Nikolas Tsattalios, Ruben Zadkovic, David Zdrillic.[SFC]
¤ 15 February 2007: Mark Milligan‘s nose is broken in an off-the-ball incident whilst captaining the Olyroos against Chinese Taipei, having scored the winning goal. He should however be available for Sydney FC’s first AFC Champions League match against Shanghai Shenhua on March 7.[Aus]
¤ 16 February 2007: Alvin Ceccoli‘s release to join Pierre Littbarski and Ian Crook at Avispa Fukuoka in Japan is confirmed, after apparently being delayed by “unresolved issues” despite Ceccoli not being named in Sydney’s AFC Champions League squad.[TWG][SMH]
¤ 21 February 2007: Sydney FC announce that their AFC Champions League home match against Indonesian champions Persik Kediri on April 25 will be held at Parramatta Stadium, with the remaining two matches to be played at Sydney’s regular home ground Aussie Stadium.[SFC]
¤ 21 February 2007: Sydney FC vs Sutherland Sharks, Seymour Shaw, 5:45pm (Friendly)
Branko Culina’s first match in charge of Sydney FC, with Alex Brosque’s early goal cancelled out by Jimmy Lawrence for Sutherland.[SFCU]
Sydney FC 1 (Brosque ~12′) drew Sutherland Sharks 1 (Jimmy Lawrence)
Sydney FC: Justin Pasfield (gk; Dean Bouzanis), Iain Fyfe, Nikolas Tsattalios, Mark Rudan, Noel Spencer, Ufuk Talay (Adam Casey), Robbie Middleby, David Zdrilic (Luka Glavas), Steve Corica, David Carney (Jeremy Brockie), Alex Brosque
¤ 22 February 2007: Defender Iain Fyfe extends his Sydney FC contract, re-signing with the club for a further two years.[SFC]
¤ 28 February 2007: Sydney FC vs Blacktown City Demons, Fairfx Community Stadium, 7:30pm (Friendly)
A second warm-up game under Culina before the Asian Champions League. Trigger-happy linesman denies a headed goal from Zdrilic, but a through-ball from Corica to Carney put Sydney ahead midway through the first half. Fyfe’s goal following a free kick seals the match, whilst Steve Corica reportedly picks up a hamstring strain.[SFCU]
Sydney FC 2 (Carney 28′, Fyfe 69′) def. Blacktown City Demons 0
Sydney FC: Clint Bolton (gk), Iain Fyfe, Nikolas Tsattalios, Mark Rudan, Noel Spencer, Ufuk Talay, Robbie Middleby, David Zdrilic, Steve Corica (Luka Glavas 79′), David Carney, Alex Brosque (Jeremy Brockie 85′)
¤ 01 January 2007: Sydney FC vs Newcastle United Jets FC, EnergyAustralia Stadium, 6:00pm (A-League – Rd 18)
Sydney FC regain second spot on New Year’s Day following their points deduction, defeating Newcastle United in their first home match after five games on the road. The 2-0 win is Sydney’s ninth consecutive undefeated match, and fifth consecutive clean sheet, won with a clever team goal to Alex Brosque shortly after half-time and a long-range lob by Sasho Petrovski in injury time. The 20,980 crowd is a Newcastle football record, surpassing the 1955 attendance of 18,517 for Australia vs Rapid Vienna.[A-L][A-L][NUJ]
Sydney FC 2 (Brosque 46′, Petrovski 90+1′) def. Newcastle United Jets 0
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 3 Alvin Ceccoli, 6 Ufuk Talay, 7 Robbie Middleby (11 Sasho Petrovski 71′), 8 Ruben Zadkovich, 10 Steve Corica (c), 12 David Carney, 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn, 16 Mark Milligan
Newcastle United Jets: 40 Ante Covic (gk), 2 Steve Eagleton (22 Steven Old 83′), 3 Jade North, 6 Andrew Durante, 8 Matt Thompson, 9 Vaughan Coveny (5 Milton Rodriguez 65′), 10 Nick Carle (c), 15 Stuart Musialik, 18 Joel Griffiths, 19 Mark Bridge, 24 Paul Kohler (25 Tim Brown 56′)
Cautions: Griffiths 78′
¤ 03 January 2007: Sydney FC releases assistant coach Ian Crook to re-unite with former Sydney FC manager Pierre Littbarski at Avispa Fukuoka in Japan. Strength/conditioning coach Anthony Crea will step in as acting assistant.[TWG]
¤ 04 January 2007: Sydney FC elects not to appeal their penalty for player contracting breaches, the three point deduction leaving them one point ahead of Adelaide United on the ladder with three matches remaining.[FFA]
¤ 07 January 2007: Sydney FC vs New Zealand Knights FC, Aussie Stadium, 6:00pm (A-League – Rd 19)
The Barmy Army sees just about their only win of the summer as the bottom-placed Knights take a shock victory. Che Bunce’s goal from a corner is the first to get past Clint Bolton in 456 minutes of A-League football, and it wins the match, with the woodwork denying Sydney twice in the second half. Adelaide’s loss to Queensland on Friday however, allows Sydney to remain in second place.[A-L][A-L]
New Zealand Knights 1 (Bunce 16′) def. Sydney FC 0
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 3 Alvin Ceccoli, 6 Ufuk Talay, 8 Ruben Zadkovich, 10 Steve Corica (c), 12 David Carney, 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn, 16 Mark Milligan (9 David Zdrilic 81′), 17 Jacob Timpano (11 Sasho Petrovski 46′)
New zealand Knights: 12 Mark Paston (gk), 2 Darren Bazeley (c), 4 Che Bunce, 6 Neil Emblen, 7 Richard Johnson, 13 Jonas Salley, 16 Noah Hickey (18 Michael White 90+3′), 22 John Tambouras, 28 Alen Marcina (8 Scot Gemmill 77′), 31 Gao Leilei (14 Malik Buari 86′), 33 Dean Gordon
Cautions: Timpano 8′ Salley 47′, Milligan 57′, Marcina 57′
¤ 14 January 2007: Sydney FC vs Adelaide United FC, Hindmarsh Stadium, 5:30pm (A-League – Rd 20)
Sydney drops back to third position with one round remaining, registering a second consecutive 0-1 loss. The somewhat fortunate winner comes via Fernando’s stomach from a free kick in the 89th minute. Yellow cards to both Terry McFlynn and Mark Milligan will see them suspended for Sydney’s final match away to Queensland.[A-L][A-L]
Adelaide United 1 (Fernando 89′) def. Sydney FC 0
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 3 Alvin Ceccoli (8 Ruben Zadkovich 33′), 4 Mark Rudan (c), 6 Ufuk Talay (17 Jacob Timpano 89′), 7 Robbie Middleby, 10 Steve Corica, 12 David Carney (9 David Zdrilic 79′), 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn, 16 Mark Milligan
Adelaide United: 1 Daniel Beltrame (gk), 2 Richie Alagich, 4 Angelo Costanzo, 5 Michael Valkanis, 6 Ross Aloisi (c), 8 Carl Veart (26 Diego 70′), 9 Mathew Kemp, 10 Fernando, 15 Nathan Burns (12 Greg Owens 79′), 16 Bobby Petta, 21 Jason Spagnuolo (13 Travis Dodd 53′)
Cautions: McFlynn 28′, Milligan 88′
¤ 16 January 2007: Sydney FC sign Tallan Martin on a two-game deal to replace Jeremy Brockie who will be away on New Zealand international duty. With Mark Milligan and Terry McFlynn suspended, and Alvin Ceccoli and Jacob Timpano injured, Sydney is still struggling to field a full squad for the upcoming match.[SMH]
¤ 18 January 2007: Nikolai Topor-Stanley returns to Sydney FC on a short-term deal as injury replacement for Jacob Timpano. The signing was initially blocked by the FFA, but now gives Sydney a tentative three-man bench for the match against Queensland.[A-L]
¤ 20 January 2007: Sydney FC vs Queensland Roar FC, Suncorp Stadium, 7:00pm (A-League – Rd 21)
Newcastle’s remarkable 4-0 win over Premiers Melbourne on Friday means that Sydney must pick up at least a point against Queensland in the final match. Alex Brosque’s third goal in five matches puts Sydney into the lead, but this is cancelled out just seven minutes later by Damian Mori. Clint Bolton makes a remarkable save from Mori later in the match, and Sydney hang on for the draw and fourth place despite Ufuk Talay’s send off with 10 minutes remaining.[A-L][A-L]
Sydney FC 1 (Brosque 13′) drew Queensland Roar 1 (Mori 20′)
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 4 Mark Rudan (c), 6 Ufuk Talay, 7 Robbie Middleby, 8 Ruben Zadkovich, 9 David Zdrilic (11 Sasho Petrovski 64′), 10 Steve Corica, 12 David Carney, 14 Alex Brosque, 21 Nikolai Topor-Stanley
Queensland Roar: 20 Liam Reddy (gk), 2 Andrew Packer (c), 3 Remo Buess (9 Simon Lynch 86′), 8 Massimo Murdocca (10 Ante Milicic 46′), 11 Reinaldo, 13 Spase Dilevski, 14 Ben Griffin, 16 Seo Hyuk-Su, 17 Damian Mori, 18 Dario Vidosic, 19 Sasa Ognenovski
Cautions: Talay 14′, Bolton 84′, Lynch 89′, Milicic 90+1′, Petrovski 90+4′
Sent off: Talay 81′
¤ 22 January 2007: The 2007 finals series is launched, with Newcastle electing to play the first leg of the minor semi-final against Sydney FC at Aussie Stadium.[A-L]
¤ 23 January 2007: Sydney FC re-signs Terry McFlynn for three years, and Robbie Middleby for a further two years.[SFC]
¤ 24 January 2007: 16-year-old left fullback Nikolas Tsattalios (NSWIS) signs with Sydney FC.[SMH]
¤ 26 January 2007: Sydney FC vs Newcastle United Jets FC, Aussie Stadium, 8:00pm (A-League – Minor Semi-Final Leg 1)
Sydney FC take a two-goal lead in an impressive first half, but concede a crucial away goal to Newcastle through Milton Rodriguez past Clint Bolton’s near post.[A-L][A-L]
Sydney FC 2 (Brosque 15′, Milligan 30′) def. Newcastle United Jets 1 (Rodriguez 71′)
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 4 Mark Rudan (c), 7 Robbie Middleby (9 David Zdrilic 90′), 8 Ruben Zadkovich, 10 Steve Corica, 12 David Carney, 14 Alex Brosque, 15 Terry McFlynn (11 Sasho Petrovski 46′), 16 Mark Milligan, 21 Nikolai Topor-Stanley
Newcastle United Jets: 40 Ante Covic, 2 Steve Eagleton, 3 Jade North, 8 Matt Thompson, 9 Vaughan Coveny (5 Milton Rodriguez 56′), 10 Nick Carle, 12 Paul Okon (c), 15 Stuart Musialik, 18 Joel Griffiths, 19 Mark Bridge, 25 Tim Brown
Cautions: Milligan 57′, Brosque 63′, Griffiths 73′
¤ 30 January 2007: Olyroos midfielder Adam Casey (New Zealand Knights) signs a two-year deal with Sydney FC.[FS]
¤ 31 January 2007: Sydney FC signs former New Zealand Knights player Jonas Salley for the finals, after it is confirmed that midfielder Terry McFlynn will be out for the remainder of the season after tearing his groin in the first leg of their minor semi-final against Newcastle.[TWG][SFC]
¤ 01 February 2007: Sydney FC is reportedly suing former captain Dwight Yorke for approximately A$450,000, claiming the player breached holiday conditions in his contract.[TWG]
¤ 02 February 2007: Sydney FC secure a one-year loan deal for 16-year-old goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis from Liverpool FC. Reserve ‘keeper Justin Pasfield is reportedly set to leave the club at the end of the finals series.[SMH]
¤ 02 February 2007: Sydney FC vs Newcastle United Jets FC, EnergyAustralia Stadium, 8:00pm (A-League – Minor Semi-Final Leg 2)
Sydney FC’s Championship defence comes to an end, bowing out of the finals series in a turbulent match which sees six yellow cards handed out to the visiting side. Two of those go to Alex Brosque, who is sent off towards the end of the first half for his part in causing a scuffle. Sydney were perhaps lucky to keep the margin to two, with Nick Carle being brought down inside the penalty area, and Ufuk Talay appearing to stop a goal with his arm.[A-L][A-L]
Newcastle United Jets 2 (Griffiths 57′, Coveny 71′) def. Sydney FC 0
Sydney FC: 1 Clint Bolton (gk), 2 Iain Fyfe, 4 Mark Rudan (c; 9 David Zdrilic 75′), 6 Ufuk Talay (31 Jonas Salley 75′), 7 Robbie Middleby, 8 Ruben Zadkovic
h, 10 Steve Corica, 12 David Carney (11 Sasho Petrovski 59′), 14 Alex Brosque, 16 Mark Milligan, 21 Nikolai Topor-Stanley
Newcastle United Jets: 40 Ante Covic (gk), 3 Jade North, 5 Milton Rodriguez (9 Vaughan Coveny 61′), 6 Andrew Durante, 8 Matt Thompson, 10 Nick Carle, 12 Paul Okon (c), 15 Stuart Musialik, 18 Joel Griffiths, 19 Mark Bridge (21 Troy Hearfield 88′), 25 Tim Brown
Cautions: Brosque 12′, Rudan 43′, Brosque 44′, Petrovski 46′, Carle 61′, Fyfe 83′, Milligan 90′
Sent off: Brosque 44′
¤ 04 February 2007: Former Perth Glory striker Luka Glavas and Central Coast Mariners midfielder Noel Spencer are signed on short-term deals for Sydney FC’s AFC Champions League campaign.[TF][SMH]
¤ 08 February 2007: Sydney FC confirm the sacking of manager Terry Butcher, announcing that an interim structure will be put in place for the upcoming AFC Champions League.[SFC]
¤ 12 February 2007: Sydney FC’s highest all-time goalscorer Sasho Petrovski signs with the Central Coast Mariners.[TWG]
¤ 13 February 2007: Former Soccer NSW technical director Branko Culina is confirmed as Sydney FC’s interim coach for the AFC Champions League.[SFC]
¤ 13 February 2007: Sydney FC’s squad for the AFC Champions League is announced: Clint Bolton, Jeremy Brockie, Alex Brosque, Dean Bouzanis, Adam Casey, David Carney, Steve Corica, Iain Fyfe, Luka Glavas, Terry McFlynn, Robbie Middleby, Mark Milligan, Justin Pasfield, Noel Spencer, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Mark Rudan, Ufuk Talay, Jacob Timpano, Nikolas Tsattalios, Ruben Zadkovic, David Zdrillic.[SFC]
¤ 15 February 2007: Mark Milligan‘s nose is broken in an off-the-ball incident whilst captaining the Olyroos against Chinese Taipei, having scored the winning goal. He should however be available for Sydney FC’s first AFC Champions League match against Shanghai Shenhua on March 7.[Aus]
¤ 16 February 2007: Alvin Ceccoli‘s release to join Pierre Littbarski and Ian Crook at Avispa Fukuoka in Japan is confirmed, after apparently being delayed by “unresolved issues” despite Ceccoli not being named in Sydney’s AFC Champions League squad.[TWG][SMH]
¤ 21 February 2007: Sydney FC announce that their AFC Champions League home match against Indonesian champions Persik Kediri on April 25 will be held at Parramatta Stadium, with the remaining two matches to be played at Sydney’s regular home ground Aussie Stadium.[SFC]
¤ 21 February 2007: Sydney FC vs Sutherland Sharks, Seymour Shaw, 5:45pm (Friendly)
Branko Culina’s first match in charge of Sydney FC, with Alex Brosque’s early goal cancelled out by Jimmy Lawrence for Sutherland.[SFCU]
Sydney FC 1 (Brosque ~12′) drew Sutherland Sharks 1 (Jimmy Lawrence)
Sydney FC: Justin Pasfield (gk; Dean Bouzanis), Iain Fyfe, Nikolas Tsattalios, Mark Rudan, Noel Spencer, Ufuk Talay (Adam Casey), Robbie Middleby, David Zdrilic (Luka Glavas), Steve Corica, David Carney (Jeremy Brockie), Alex Brosque
¤ 22 February 2007: Defender Iain Fyfe extends his Sydney FC contract, re-signing with the club for a further two years.[SFC]
¤ 28 February 2007: Sydney FC vs Blacktown City Demons, Fairfx Community Stadium, 7:30pm (Friendly)
A second warm-up game under Culina before the Asian Champions League. Trigger-happy linesman denies a headed goal from Zdrilic, but a through-ball from Corica to Carney put Sydney ahead midway through the first half. Fyfe’s goal following a free kick seals the match, whilst Steve Corica reportedly picks up a hamstring strain.[SFCU]
Sydney FC 2 (Carney 28′, Fyfe 69′) def. Blacktown City Demons 0
Sydney FC: Clint Bolton (gk), Iain Fyfe, Nikolas Tsattalios, Mark Rudan, Noel Spencer, Ufuk Talay, Robbie Middleby, David Zdrilic, Steve Corica (Luka Glavas 79′), David Carney, Alex Brosque (Jeremy Brockie 85′)