Sydney FC 2 (Buhagiar 56’, Le Fondre pen 77’) drew with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2 (Brattan o.g 50’, Kyo Won 90’)
Sydney FC have secured their first point of the 2020 AFC Champions League campaign but it should have been all three, if not for a late equaliser to opponents Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC from Korea.
Moments That Mattered:
- Buhagiar Chance – 19’ – Le Fondre links up with Buhagiar in the box but the youngster’s shot on the turn bounces just wide.
- Grant Block – 35’ – Grant throws his body in the line of a powered shot by Jinsu to force a corner.
- Le Fondre Chance – 40’ – Le Fondre’s first time attempt flies over the bar following a Baumjohann corner.
- Brattan Own Goal – 50’ – Brattan is on the end of an unfortunate own goal as the visitors take the lead.
- Buhagiar Goal – 56’ – A solo classic from ACL starting debutant Buhagiar as he places it in at Bumkeun’s near post after rounding his defender.
- Grant Chance & Bokyung Red Card – 75’ – A devastating counter attack ends with Grant forcing a handball out of Bokyung who receives his marching orders and Sydney FC are awarded a penalty.
- Le Fondre Goal – 77’ – Le Fondre fires the Sky Blues ahead from the penalty spot.
- Kyo Won Goal – 90’ – Murilo’s shot from distance bundles off the post before Kyo Won taps it in to an empty net.
A positive start by the Sky Blues defence saw them shut down any attempts Jeonbuk had while Buhagiar almost opened the scoring with his shot on the turn.
Grant showed his passion by putting his body on the line to deny Jinsu as Le Fondre fired over from close range off a corner.
An unfortunate own goal by Brattan gives the visitors the lead but a spectacular solo effort from Buhagiar levels the scores within minutes.
A couple of moments of panic as a deadly counter attack ends with Bokyung being sent off for a deliberate handball and Le Fondre puts the Sky Blues ahead from the spot.
Late drama as Jeonbuk grab an equaliser after Kyo Won places it beyond Redmayne following a shot which rebounds off the post and Sydney FC gain their first point of the 2020 AFC Champions League campaign.
What They Said: Steve Corica:
“Disappointed comes to mind. We got ourselves back in the game to go 2-1 up and then to concede very late on to one of the best teams in Asia.
“I think is disappointing but full credit to the boys for getting themselves back into the game however we should have won that, simple as that.
“It’s a busy time for us right now, three games in a week so we need to rotate the squad a bit.
“Trent’s been waiting his turn and this was a good opportunity to give him his chance and I thought he was excellent tonight.
“He [Trent Buhagiar] scored a great goal and set up the second one.
“He worked hard and he hasn’t played a lot of minutes, so to last the way he did I think he did a really good job and led the line well.”
“I’m proud of the boys and their performance against a very good team. It’s not easy to beat that team so I thought we did well tonight.”
Trent Buhagiar:
“It’s great to get a goal and have a say in the second one but at the same time I’m disappointed in the result of the game.
“I feel we could have won that and with my performance I’m happy with it and can always improve on the little things as well.”
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Alexander BAUMJOHANN (24. Marco TILIO 86’), 6. Ryan MCGOWAN, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Adam LE FONDRE, 12. Trent BUHAGIAR (11. Kosta BARBAROUSES 78’), 16. Joel KING, 21. Harry VAN DER SAAG (17. Anthony CACERES 65’), 23. Rhyan GRANT, 26. Luke BRATTAN.
Subs Not Used: 20. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 2. Patrick FLOTTMANN, 3. Benjamin WARLAND, 27. Jordan SWIBEL.
Yellow Cards: Adam Le Fondre 12’, Luke Brattan 69’, Joel King 72’.
Red Cards: None.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors: 6. Choi BOKYUNG, 7. Han KYO WON, 9. Lars VELDWIJK (29. Lee SUNGYOON 79’), 13. Kim BOKYUNG, 14. Lee SEUNGGI (11. Cho GUESUNG 61’), 17. Takahiro KUNIMOTO (10. Murilo HENRIQUE ROCHA 83’), 22. Kim JINSU, 25. Choi CHUL SOON, 26. Hong JEONGHO, 31. Song BUMKEUN (GK), 57. Lee SOOBIN.
Subs Not Used: 1. Lee BUM YOUNG (GK), 8. Jung HYUK, 10., 15. Ku JARYONG, 92. Kim MINHYEOK.
Yellow Cards: Kim Jinsu 32’, Choi Bokyung 42’.
Red Cards: Choi Bokyung 75’.
Referee: Ahmed Abu Bakar Al Kaf
Ground: Jubilee Stadium
Crowd: 3,255
