A penalty to John Aloisi in the 72nd minute proved the difference as the visitors went close to allowing a 2-0 first half lead slip through their grasps.

John Aloisi made a statement that may be back from a horror 2008/09 season, with a double while talented teenager Kofi Danning scored the other for Sydney.

Rostyn Griffiths scored for North Queensland in the first half, while Robbie Fowler announced his presence in the A-League with a strike from the penalty spot to level the scores.

But Sydney will be breathing a huge sigh of relief after getting away with victory following a gutsy effort from the competition's new boys.

After forcing their way back into the game with a goal on halftime the Fury were intent on levelling after the break, causing Sydney plenty of headaches in defence.

And 13 minutes after the resumption they did exactly that through star Fowler.

Without a hint of nerves, the former Liverpool marksman gently potted the ball past Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton, capitalising on a clear foul on Jason Spagnuolo inside the 18-yard box from Shannon Cole.

Sydney were still showing glimpses of class, but as the Fury dominated position and possession, had to rely on their skill in the counter attack to make inroads.

The visitors restored their advantage from the penalty spot when Aloisi took advantage of a foul on teammate Alex Brosque.

In an attempt to get to the ball, Fury custodian Paul Henderson took out the legs of Brosque, leaving the official with no option but to point to the spot.

In the first half, a blasting free kick from Fowler almost provided a dream start for the new franchise but for a desperate diving save by Bolton.

Seconds later it turned into a North Queensland nightmare.

As Sydney pushed the ball on the counter, Aloisi found himself one-on-one with Henderson and coolly slotted it into the net giving the visitors 1-0 lead after four minutes.

The Sky Blues continued to create the best attacking opportunities over the next 10 minutes, Karol Kisel enjoying two shots at goal, one forcing an easy save.

Sydney struck again in the 28th minute through Danning.

The 18-year-old turned Fury defender Jack Hingert inside out, breezed by and then powered a cracking low shot to the left of a diving Henderson.

But fear of opening night rout was abated for the Fury just moments before halftime as Griffiths was bestowed the honour of scoring the club's maiden goal.

He got his head on the end of a well-placed corner cross from Spagnuolo, sending the 8897-strong local crowd into raptures.