Jaiden Kucharski’s Late Goal Seals Victory for Sydney FC.

Kucharski’s Last-Minute Strike Snatches 3-2 Win at Suncorp

In a stunning end to Round 3 of the Isuzu UTE A-League, Jaiden Kucharski’s 90th-minute goal broke Brisbane Roar hearts, giving Sydney FC a dramatic 3-2 victory at Suncorp Stadium. Kucharski, who came on in the final minutes, needed only seconds to find the net, leaving Brisbane stunned in front of their home crowd.

A Tight Battle: Second Half Showdown

Friday night’s game in Brisbane saw a nail-biting second half where all five goals were scored, including a thrilling equalizer by Brisbane’s Indonesia international Rafael Struick in the 78th minute. Yet, Kucharski and Sydney had other plans as the 22-year-old substitute smashed an “absolute rocket” into the goal, a moment ex-A-League striker and Paramount+ commentator Daniel McBreen called “pure brilliance.”

Kucharski’s contribution was more than just timely. “The subs are meant to come on and make a difference, so I’m glad I could pull through for the team,” he told Paramount+ after the game.

Sydney’s Lead and Brisbane’s Fightback

Patryk Klimala, Sydney’s star forward and former Celtic striker, opened the scoring in the 51st minute, capitalizing on a Roar defensive error. Brisbane youngster Thomas Waddingham, linked to top clubs like Bayern Munich and Tottenham, quickly leveled the match, notching his first goal of the season.

Just moments later, Sydney’s Leo Sena scored in the 71st minute, giving Sydney the upper hand before Struick’s 78th-minute goal restored parity. But Kucharski’s late strike gave Sydney a thrilling end to an intense showdown, their second win of the season, and left Brisbane to reflect on two consecutive losses.

Close Calls and Missed Opportunities

The game was packed with scoring chances and near misses. Early in the second half, a shot from Waddingham rattled off the post, narrowly missing a goal. Shortly after, a clever pass allowed Klimala to find the net, only for it to be ruled offside.

Throughout the match, both sides tested each other’s resolve in tough conditions, as Sydney dominated possession, finishing the first half with 72.9%. Sydney’s Jordan Courtney-Perkins also created trouble for Brisbane’s defense, forcing a key save from Macklin Freke. Moments later, Max Burgess saw his deflected shot almost sneak in, but Freke’s swift reaction kept Brisbane in contention.

Debutants and Young Talent on Display

Brisbane, coming off a bye in Round 2, gave a nod to their future with rising star Lucas Herrington listed on the bench. Sydney was without key players Douglas Costa and Joe Lolley due to injuries, which meant they turned to academy talents like Tiago Quintal and Marin France for depth. Despite the challenges, Sydney’s resilience and attacking prowess shone through, culminating in Kucharski’s unforgettable winner.

Post-Match Reactions

Sydney head coach Ufuk Talay praised Kucharski, calling his ability to score with both feet “special.” Teammate and man of the match Klimala added, “JK is the guy who shoots 10 and scores eight or nine at training, so I wasn’t surprised, maybe just a little with the left foot.”

For Brisbane, the night marked another tough loss, but the grit and fight shown by young stars like Waddingham and Struick signal a promising season ahead. Both teams now look to regroup as the A-League season gains momentum.