Knights clinch draw against Sydney FC

The New Zealand Knights have clinched a 2-2 draw tonight at North Harbour stadium against Sydney FC, courtesy of a late goal to Jeremy Brockie.

Sydney FC looked certain to bridge the gap between themselves and Adelaide before a dazzling cross from supersub Neil Emblen landed near Brockie who volleyed home.

The draw gives the Knights their first home points of the season, while Sydney will now start to lose touch with ladder-leaders Adelaide if they are victorious over the Queensland Roar on Sunday.

For New Zealand, Emblen looked dangerous at all times while on the pitch, as did Jeremy Brockie.

For Sydney, David Carney impressed as usual, as did Alvin Ceccoli.

The match started with a bang for the Knights, who amazingly stunned Sydney FC with the opening goal of the match.

Three minutes into the game, a nasty challenge from Jacob Timpano resulted in a free kick for Jeremy Christie who drove a long ball into Sean Devine who in turn flicked the ball past Clint Bolton into the back of the net.

However, the Knights’ lead was short-lived, as a David Carney free kick deflected off the back of Brockie and into the goal only three minutes after New Zealand struck.

The next 20 minutes proved to be a stalemate, as neither team were able to take advantage of their opportunities.

Two Sasho Petrovski attempts on goal within ten minutes were both off-line, and the game looked set to be locked at half time, although this was not to be.

In the last minute of the half Dwight Yorke was brought down in the box, resulting in a direct penalty from the spot. Yorke calmly went back and slotted home, handing Sydney the lead at half time.

After the break Sydney were able to control the tempo of the match for the first 20 minutes of the half with numerous opportunities to Petrovski again failing to be converted.

In a sudden change of momentum, Kris Bright was on the burst for the Knights in the 83rd minute but was denied by a brave Bolton coming off his line.

Three minutes later, the Knights’ produced the equaliser, with Emblem crossing the ball in for Brockie to fire home on the volley.

While both teams tried hastily to take the three points from the game, the only real opportunity came for Petrovski, who went unmarked and blazed over the top of the goal in a rather poor effort to clinch victory for Sydney.

The Knights’ hung on for the draw in a game that will be remembered for years to come by New Zealand fans.

Next week New Zealand will travel to the Central Coast to take on the Mariners on Sunday, while Sydney will look to bounce back against Newcastle United at Aussie Stadium on Friday night.

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