Despite a huge week of travel that involved three matches in eight days in three different countries, Ufuk Talay was very pleased with the output of his side against Auckland FC.
They unfortunately conceded a controversial late goal which took away what would’ve been a strong point on the road considering the number of players they lost to injury in the lead up and during the match.
“The output of our players was very good, considering the amount of travel we did this week we didn’t use that as an excuse.
“We played some good football at times and created some good moments too but they also had their moments,” Talay said.
“We just didn’t capitalise on the chances that we had but overall disappointed to concede from a set piece at the end the way we did.”
The Sky Blues were incensed with referee Shawn Evans after Patryk Klimala had a clear penalty shout waved away, Hayden Matthews goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review and then Auckland’s winner wasn’t ruled out for handball.
“I believe that is a handball that leads to their goal. We had one similar against Jordy [Courtney-Perkins] last year against Wellington where it hit his arm and he put it in but it was disallowed.
“I don’t know how they missed that. Plus even before that, it’s a foul on Popa [Alex Popovic] with a shove in the back,” Talay added.
“I feel that when both goals were scored they spent a lot of time looking at ours and how to disallow it when Auckland scored, they went through very quickly to allow it.
“I’ve seen the angles of their goal and I think it clearly hits his hand before he puts it in, so it is what it is and we can’t control everything.”
Sydney were forced to reshuffle the pack in this one with Douglas Costa ruled out pre-game and Joe Lolley and Corey Hollman making way early due to injury as well.
Talay revealed that the Brazilian was sent home early from New Zealand for scans.
“Douglas felt some tightness in his hamstring so we sent him home yesterday to get a better picture of what it looks like.
“Joey [Lolley] felt his groin and was unable to continue and then Corey [Hollman] rolled his ankle and couldn’t continue so we had to make changes but I thought the boys who came on did well.
“That was Woody’s first game in over six months so I thought he worked as hard as he could,” he added.
Sydney now have another shorter turnaround and will be on a plane on Thursday afternoon when they take on Brisbane Roar away on Friday night.
