Sydney FC’s PlayStation 4 NPL 2 NSW Men’s side battled to the final whistle with nine men but went down 1-0 to Northern Tigers at Lambert Park, Leichhardt on Saturday night.
The Sky Blues started well and tested the Tigers keeper early with two good chances falling to William Mutch and Chris Zuvela, however the opposition keeper was equal to the task and smothered both efforts.
Minutes later Charles Lokolingoy also had a great chance to open the scoring when released by Mutch, but his shot went just wide off the post.
The missed opportunities came back to bite Sydney FC when in the 21st minute they turned over possession out wide and the Northern Tigers attack transitioned quickly for their right wing to cross low into the box.
Sliding in to block the cross, Patrick Flottman only managed to deflect the ball into the net for an own goal and Tigers led 1-0 against the run of play.
While enjoying long periods of possession Sydney FC could not find a breakthrough in the first 45 as they headed to the sheds trailing at half time.
The second half once again saw the Sky Blues dominate the ball and field position but their night became tougher when centre back George Timotheou was shown a red card for a second bookable offence as Sydney FC were reduced to ten men at the 59 minute mark.
To compound the issue midfielder Daniel Araujo was also given his marching orders with a red card in the 73rd minute, also for a second yellow card, and the Sky Blues were reduced to nine men with 15 minutes to play.
Despite the player deficit it was Sydney FC that continued to take the game to the Tigers as they pressed for an equaliser. Mutch did manage to find the back of the net but his close range shot was ruled to be from an offside position.
The closest Sydney came in the dying minutes was from a Nicola Kuleski free kick which whistled over the cross bar and despite six minutes of added time Northern Tigers were able to hang on for the victory.
The loss sees Sydney FC slip to second on the ladder however wins in the U18’s by 2-1 and U20’s by 5-3 stills has them leading the Club Championship by a single point.
Sydney FC face another tough opponent in third placed Bankstown City next Sunday, 3 July at Jensen Park (kick off 3.00pm).
Sydney FC 0 defeated by Northern Tigers 1 (Flottman 21′ own goal)
Line Up: Mitch Evans (GK); Nicola Kuleski; Patrick Flottman; George Timotheou; Cristian Gonzalez; Yianni Spyrakis (C); Chris Zuvela; Daniel Araujo; Bai Antoniou (Chris Arditti) ; Charles Lokolingoy (Mani Gonzalez); William Mutch
Subs Not Used: Nick Sorras (GK); Matt Green; Brendan Curtis
CLICK HERE to become a Sydney FC Member for Hyundai A-League season 2016/17.
