Sydney FC found their range at the perfect moment, coming from behind to beat Adelaide United 2-1 at Allianz Stadium on Sunday 25 October and secure their first win of the A-League Men season.
Sky Blues fight back
It was a frustrating first hour for Patrick Kisnorbo’s side. Adelaide struck in the 16th minute after a turnover from Sydney goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares allowed Brody Burkitt to put the Reds ahead, and Sydney’s attacking pressure repeatedly failed to find a finish.
The Sky Blues kept creating chances, but shots flew wide and Adelaide goalkeeper Joshua Smits stood tall whenever Sydney did test him. With frustration building around Allianz Stadium, the hosts needed someone to take responsibility.
Rhys Youlley did exactly that in the 64th minute. Given space outside the box, he took one touch and drilled a powerful equaliser into the bottom corner, finally breaking Adelaide’s resistance and lifting the home crowd.
Sunday delivers
Sydney were ahead less than ten minutes later. Substitute Akol Akon released Al Hassan Toure down the right, and Toure drove forward before cutting the ball across goal for Oriola Sunday to tap home from close range.
The goal survived a VAR check for a possible offside, and Sunday’s finish proved decisive. It was a maiden A-League goal for both Youlley and Sunday, giving Sydney a deserved reward for their persistence after a difficult start to the afternoon.
Kisnorbo praised his side’s character afterwards, saying the players adjusted tactically after early mistakes and continued to create chances even when the final touch was missing.
A timely milestone
The 2-1 win gives Sydney FC four points from their opening two matches, leaving them unbeaten early in the campaign. It was also Kisnorbo’s first home win as Sydney coach, at the fifth attempt, and the club’s first victory at Allianz Stadium since February 2026.
There is still plenty to tidy up. Sydney were wasteful for long periods and were fortunate Adelaide’s early pressure did not produce more than one goal. But the response after the break was encouraging: the Sky Blues stayed composed, kept pushing forward and found two moments of genuine quality.
Next up is a tougher examination against Melbourne City, the side Kisnorbo led to the 2021 title. If Sydney can turn this second-half belief into a more complete 90-minute performance, Sunday’s comeback could prove an important turning point in their season.
