Musialik rescues Sydney at the death
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Stuart Musialik curled a superb left-footed effort past Liam Reddy with just seconds remaining. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)
Stuart Musialik struck his first goal for Sydney FC deep into injury time to salvage a defiant 1-1 draw against the Queensland Roar at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday evening.
Charlie Miller's fifth goal of the season had earlier looked to complete Queensland's six-point mission on the road in Melbourne and Sydney against the A-League's top two sides and secure third spot on the competition ladder.
But Sydney's persistence late in the match eventually wore down the Roar's heavily fatigued defence, and led to Musialik's superlative equaliser with literally a matter of seconds remaining before full-time.
Queensland sat back to preserve its one-goal advantage after Miller's brilliant 49th-minute strike put Frank Farina's side on course for a second consecutive upset win away from home, following a 1-0 defeat of the Victory last week.
Miller has been the Roar's primary source of goals this season and seemingly created something from nothing as he fired a stinging strike from outside the box past Clint Bolton under little pressure from Sydney's defence.
The Scottish recruit had the perfect opportunity to seal the points late in the match when he found himself in space with only Bolton to beat, but blazed his effort far wide of the target.
The Roar hesitated in venturing into the forward third for the majority of the final half-hour, allowing them to soak up possession in the midfield and frustrate Sydney's attempts to move the ball forward for an equaliser.
Alex Brosque and John Aloisi were provided with plenty of quality service, Sydney's forward line drawing a string of strong saves from Queensland goalkeeper Liam Reddy.
The absence of first-choice defenders Luke DeVere and Josh McCloughan handed a first start to young centre-half Matt Mundy, and acquitted himself with great aplomb alongside former Socceroos skipper Craig Moore.
Andrew Packer and Hyuk-Su Seo also turned in strong performances in Queensland's back four, patrolling the full-back positions strongly in defence will driving forward up the flanks to bolster attacking movements.
But in a cruel twist of fate, it was Mundy's miscued clearance in the 94th minute that found Musialik looming in space at the edge of the area, and the former Newcastle Jets midfielder took his chance in spectacular fashion to break John Kosmina's side out of jail.
Referee Matthew Breeze ruled against awarding a foul in Queensland's favour in the lead-up to Sydney's equalising goal as Packer appeared to fall to the ground after apparent contact in the back.
A second away win would have been ideal for the Roar, who have collected eight points from four matches on the road but have struggled to find momentum at home in Brisbane.
Queensland will be out to dismiss any suggestions of a Lang Park hoodoo when Adelaide travels north in round eight while Sydney is away to Perth.
Sydney: 1 (S Musialik 90+4)
Queensland: 1 (C Miller 49)
