Brazilian striker Reinaldo struck a marvellous goal into the top right-hand corner of the net to send the home fans into raputures with Sasa Ognenovski’s late penalty sealing a minor semi-final tie that was packed with drama.

The visitors suffered the misery of seeing Robbie Middleby red-carded for bringing down Matt McKay in the first half as they crashed out in front of a record crowd of more than 36,000. It was only Sydney’s second ever defeat against their hosts and they are now left to compete in the Pan-Pacific Championship.

Penalty hero Ognenovski revealed the team had practised spot-kicks in the build up to the match and that he had failed to score. Still, there was no questioning his technique when it mattered most.

He said: “Thankfully tonight it went in (the penalty). After the first half we knew if we sustained the effort then we’d come away with it. Maybe we ran over the top of them in the end, them down to 10 men.

“Whether it’s Newcastle or Central Coast (in the Preliminary Final) we seem to match up well with both those teams so we’re confident.”

Defeated Sydney skipper Tony Popovic offered his congratulations to the Roar after his team’s finals campaign was brought to a halt – the club’s first away defeat of the season.

He said: “Congratulations to them (Queensland) on going through. They scored a goal, we had a man sent off and then there’s the penalty. It all went for them today. We dust ourselves off and wish them all the best for the finals.”

As for his own Sydney FC future Popovic was non-commital. He said: “I don’t know, we’ll see what happens.”

Frank Farina opted for Liam Reddy between the sticks with Griffin McMaster the unlucky custodian to miss out at soggy Suncorp. However, he was still without the suspended Danny Tiatto who completed a two-match ban. Skipper Craig Moore, having announced his international retirement after Wednesday’s win over Qatar, was back to play his second match in three days as the home team opted for a 4-3-3 formation.

Sydney were without marquee man Juninho, the Brazilian having injured his knee during training earlier in the week. John Kosmina turned to Ruben Zadkovich to fill the gap with Steve Corica pushed up alongside Roar old boy Alex Brosque in attack, the visitors opting for a 4-4-2 approach. Kosmina was at least boosted by the inclusion of Mark Milligan and Robbie Middleby, the former having recovered from a broken nose, the latter a hamstring problem.

Both players and supporters were forced to wait more than an hour beyond the scheduled kick-off as officials battled to clear water off the pitch following a torrential downpour.

It was a battle they won, much to the relief of all involved, and the Roar eventually kicked off at just after 8.08pm local time.

It was always going to be a fiery contest and there were some early tasty challenges. Andrew Packer was the first to go into the book with less than three minutes on the clock, Mark Shield brandishing the card to the former Sydney FC man for a poor challenge on Alex Brosque.

Reinaldo produced the game’s first meaningful shot in the sixth minute but the big Brazilian couldn’t beat Clint Bolton from distance.

Moments later the Sydney keeper was almost caught out at his near post as a Robbie Kruse cross from the right deflected towards the net, the visiting custodian having to move sharply to gather.

At the other end Terry McFlynn and Brosque were left screaming for a penalty as a Middleby cross appeared to strike Packer’s left arm before being cleared. Moments later Zadkovich tried his luck with a spectacular overhead kick following a Sydney throw in but he couldn’t hit the target.

The Roar struck on 13 minutes with an absolutely marvellous strike from Reinaldo. The Brazilian cut in from the left, skipped past Mark Milligan’s lunge and from a tight angle thundered the ball across Bolton into the top right hand corner of the net, a wonderful goal.

Brendan Renaud then joined McKay in the book as he brought down Kruse on the right edge of the box on 15 minutes. Two minutes later Marcinho surged forward and Bolton had to get down to his right and push the ball round the left post for a corner. From the resulting set piece Sasa Ognenovski rose to meet the ball but headed high over the crossbar.

Sydney looked rattled as the Roar continued to make all the running in the early stages. It got worse for Sydney as Middleby saw red on 20 minutes. The visiting player halted McKay’s charge forward and the referee had no hesitation in sending the experienced campaigner for an early shower.

Marcinho whipped over a free-kick from the left on 23, a flat delivery to the far post with Kruse not quite able to make the vital connection and add to Sydney’s woes.

Sydney almost grabbed a leveller on 29 as Corica found a bit space on the right but he couldn’t pull the ball back sufficiently for the waiting Brosque.

Reddy then held on to Ufuk Talay’s inswinging free-kick from the right as an action-packed opening half hour elapsed. Ognenovski then made a vital challenge to prevent Brosque skipping clear – the Sydney striker looking increasingly frustrated.

Marcinho played a wonderful ball in behind the Sydney defence on 34 but although Kruse made an intelligent run to reach the ball his cross was woeful.

On 37 Reinaldo directed a brilliant header goalwards from a standing start in the area with Bolton hurtling to his right to tip the ball away.

Brosque was fuming again when he was pulled back on the edge of the box by McKay but the officials weren’t interested in awarding the free-kick.

Packer let fly five minutes before the interval and Bolton had to gather at the second attempt as the ball rocketed towards the top right hand corner of the net.

Zullo pushed forward on 43 but took too long to pull the trigger allowing Iain Fyfe to make a vital interception.

Two minutes of added time saw Fyfe forced to clear a cross from the right with Zullo seeing his strike deflect wide from the resulting corner.

That was that and both teams departed for a breather.

Neither coach made any changes during the break with the Roar continuing to press in the early moments of the second half.

Massimo Murdocca was booked on 48 as he lost out in a challenge to Talay with Brosque then caught offside as he attempted to wriggle clear of the Roar backline.

Corica teed up Zadkovich on 52 but the youngster blazed over after Craig Moore had misjudged the initial cross from McFlynn.

The Roar was forced into a change on 54 as goalscorer Reinaldo made way for Scottish forward Simon Lynch.

Renaud delivered a dreadful free-kick from a position on the left edge of the area on 58 while Milligan hit the deck after a challenge from Zullo.

Certainly Sydney were coming more into the game with the home side not enjoying the dominance of the opening 45 minutes.

Marcinho crashed a long range free-kick high and wide on 62, a real waste with plenty of Roar bodies inside the Sydney penalty area.

The Roar earned a free-kick in a central area right on the edge of the box on 66 following a foul by Renaud. The initial effort was blocked but the referee signalled a retake, Talay booked for encroachment.

Marcinho’s second try thudded off the wall and out for a corner.

On 69 Sydney made a change with Brosque replaced by Brendan Santalab. Farina also decided it was time for a swap with Zullo taken off, Tahj Minniecon entering the fray to further test the Sydney defence.

Renaud then made way for Mark Robertson as Kosmina made another change to try and haul Sydney back into the contest.

Talay blazed over with a set piece from 30 metres on 73 as the tension inside Suncorp began to mount.

Reddy was cautioned for booting the ball into the stands on 74 much to the Roar keeper’s disgust as the home side prepared to take a throw in.

Lynch slammed the ball into the Sydney net on 77 but the Scotsman had ventured forward a fraction too soon and the effort was ruled out by the assistant’s flag – although it took some time for the striker to realise it.

Lynch went close on 80, finding room inside the box but failing to get his shot beyond Bolton’s grasp into the net.

Roar were handed a chance to seal matters on 82 as Minniecon was brought down by Popovic and the referee pointed to the spot – the Sydney skipper booked for his trouble.

Ognenovski stepped forward to take a huge penalty and sent it screaming past Bolton to make it 2-0.

Sydney threw on Adam Biddle with four minutes remaining, Milligan the man sacrificed.

Lynch was foiled by Bolton again as the game moved into three minutes of stoppage time as Brisbane prepared to party. The whistle blew and Suncorp erupted as the Roar fans celebrated their first taste of finals success.