Canberra United rounded out their inaugural Foxtel Y-League season on Saturday, going down 5-2 to a very strong Sydney FC side at the AIS.
The visitors jumped out to a perfect start in just the fourth minute as Hassan Jalloh was set free on goal, and he made no mistake finishing clinically past Sam Brown into the back of the net.
United had hardly had time to reset before Patrick Flottman rose highest at the back post to double the advantage, and the hosts were left reeling early on.
United looked to hit back though, and a dipping effort from Roko Strika fooled the Sydney but was only denied by the crossbar in the 15th minute.
Sydney came close again through Jalloh and then Sam McIllhatton, but could not find a third goal thanks to several great denials by the Canberra United backline.
And the stoic defence paid dividends with just over ten minutes until the break as Mikey Katsoulis struck home to cut the lead to just one goal at half-time.
The hosts started strongly in the second half and it took a great stop from Dragicevic in the Sydney goals to deny Tom Milicevic four minutes in.
United would not be denied though, and when Josh Gulevski raced away from inside his own half before slotting home cleanly to restore parity, there was belief amongst the home crowd.
United failed to stay switched on though, and just two minutes later McIllhatton struck to restore the lead and three minutes later Jeremy Cox pushed it back to two goals.
Try as they might United were unable to cut the deficit any further, and a fifth goal on the stroke of full-time added to the scoreline for the rampant visitors.
