Robbie Fowler became an instant home-town hero when he announced his arrival with a penalty goal, but it was John Aloisi's night as he steered Sydney FC to a 3-2 victory over A-League debutants North Queensland.
The former Socceroo, who was feted for his class and skill in the Italian league, last season suffered the humiliation of being jeered and booed by Sydney fans after a series of frustrating games in the sky blue.
Indeed, the statistics from 2008-09 record he only managed two goals in 1000 character-testing minutes of football.
He struck back with a vengeance last night, and in the process scuttled any chance of a fairytale start in the A-League for North Queensland.
Aloisi scored a double - his first coming in just the third minute from a counter attack - while impressive youngster Kofi Danning, the other goal scorer, also proved tough to contain up front.
Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka was pleased his side were able to get away with victory after the Fury stole the second half momentum.
''We are happy because we expected difficult game, a hard game different from when we played during the pre-season,'' Lavicka said, conceding his men were guilty of errors which helped the Fury's comeback.
''We made some mistakes after set pieces, their first score was from a corner kick and the second was from a mistake in our box, a penalty kick.''
After their shock initiation the Fury gave the crowd of 8897 something to cheer when Rostyn Griffiths created history by scoring the expansion club's first goal in the 40th minute, heading in a Jason Spagnuolo corner.
North Queensland came out full of fire in the opening stages of the second half, controlling possession and mounting pressure.
It eventually told when Sydney FC right back Shannon Cole brought down Spagnuolo in the box.
Fury captain Fowler, the pride of Liverpool in northern England, stepped up for the penalty and levelled the scores at 2-2, marking his arrival in the north.
Aloisi bagged his second goal in the 72nd minute to take back the lead, calmly slotting home a penalty after Alex Brosque was brought down by Fury keeper Paul Henderson.
Fury coach Ian Ferguson was disappointed. ''Heartbreaking is the word,'' Ferguson said.
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