Two red cards and a 2-1 loss at home have given Sydney a football mountain to climb as they try to reach the men’s A-League grand final.
Ufuk Talay’s side gave up a 1-0 lead against the Central Coast Mariners at the Allianz Stadium to lose the first leg of their home and away semi-final.
Two sendings off in the second half — both after VAR reviews — will cause more problems with anticipated suspensions for Jack Rodwell and Corey Hollman.
Sydney were looking good as half-time approach, ahead through a Joel King effort midway through the half.
But the game turned in stoppage time of the first spell when Josh Nisbet pinched an equaliser.
Main photo: Josh Nisbet scores just before the half-time whistle.
A penalty scored by Mikael Doka in the 56th minute gave the Mariners a 2-1 lead, before Rodwell (63′) and Hollman (82′) got their marching orders.
Watch the highlights
Result
Game played on Friday May 10, 2024
Sydney 1 (Joel King 25′)
Central Coast Mariners 2 (Josh Nisbet 45+3′, Mikael Doka 56′ pen)
Fixture
Game to be played on Sunday May 12, 2024
Semi-final 2, first leg
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