SYDNEY FC have survived a scare at the hands of Western United, rallying late to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw against the reigning A-League Men champions.<\/p>\n
Slovakian forward Robert Mak was the hero for Steve Corica’s side, grabbing an 89th-minute equaliser to ensure Sydney remain in the finals places in sixth spot.<\/p>\n
Sydney, who missed the post-season year, are still on shaky ground with just five points between them and the bottom-placed Brisbane Roar.<\/p>\n
Mak grabbed a double at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, with Spanish left-back Diego Caballo also scoring for the Sky Blues.<\/p>\n
Western United got goals from Lachlan Wales and Connor Pain, along with an own goal via a Nikolai Topor-Stanley header, putting them ahead in the first half.<\/p>\n
“We created some really big chances and it’s disappointing we went 3-1 up and conceded straight afterwards,” said Green and Back manager John Aloisi.<\/p>\n
“That gave them a lift. If we could’ve held out we probably win the game.<\/p>\n
“It feels like a loss but it keeps us alive, we are only still two points from Sydney with a lot of games left.<\/p>\n
“We’re there and we’re playing a lot better than the start of the year.”<\/p>\n
The Sky Blues were caught out at the back for both first-half goals, with the visitors’ wide men punishing them on the counter.<\/p>\n
At 1-0 down after Wales’ 14th-minute strike, a slick pass from Max Burgess found Mak in the box with the experienced Sydney FC forward’s finish trickling in off the glove of goalkeeper Jamie Young to level.<\/p>\n
After Pain restored United’s lead, Dylan Pierias hit the woodwork with the visitors happily sitting deep, defending their advantage and attacking with intent when they forced a turnover.<\/p>\n
One such move led to a 57th-minute free kick which Ben Garuccio whipped in towards the head of Nikolai Topor-Stanley.<\/p>\n
The veteran defender cushioned the ball across goal and, much to Sydney’s frustration, it skipped off Luke Brattan’s body and into the back of the net to make it 3-1 to United.<\/p>\n
Brattan helped cut the deficit shortly afterwards when his pinpoint cross found Caballo, who finished past Young.<\/p>\n
The veteran United keeper tried to keep Sydney at bay but eventually Mak found a way through, surging forward and finishing late to snatch a vital point for the Sky Blues.<\/p>\n