Sydney opened the scoring through Matt Simon on 12 minutes before Jamie Maclaren restored parity on the stroke of half-time.

Import, Danish international Thomas Kristensen, made his first appearance for Roar with a solid opening 45 minutes before being subbed.

Sydney’s new marquee signing, Brazilian frontman Bobo - who linked up with the team in camp this week - was kept off the teamsheet.

But, importantly for the Sky Blues, skipper Alex Brosque came on for the final 15 minutes after enduring a horror 2015/16 with injury.

The game looked headed for a draw until Zullo monstered the ball home from 15m.

Meanwhile Thomas Broich looked good for Roar directing play and constructing chances regularly through the 90 minutes.

Coach John Aloisi said he was pleased with the performance of his men despite the loss.

"Sydney made it hard for us to play and then they created a few chances on our mistakes, and scored a goal,” Aloisi said.

"Towards the end of the first half, we started to find where we could play. Second half was good, we created a lot of changes again. We managed to get into really good areas in the second half, we just need to punish them.

"This is the time to test combinations and see hope they work.”

Tommy Oar was among Brisbane’s best in the first period, dominating on the ball and creating chances with some lethal crossing, as did half-time substitute Dimitri Petratos.

Young Roar players Jayden Prasad, Nathan Konstandopoulos and Cameron Crestani were introduced during the second half and adapted quickly with Prasad close to providing an assist for new signing Joey Katebian.

Aloisi added: "We're still working on our structures and it's a bit different to the way we played last season," he said.

"You want to win these games but the important thing is improving and there was more improvement again this afternoon."

"You want to win these games but the important thing is improving and there was more improvement again this afternoon."