Photos by Jaime Castaneda
Summary
Sydney FC 0 drew w. Central Coast Mariners 0
Head Coach Graham Arnold believes his side are ready to go in the Hyundai A-League next week following Sydney FC’s final pre-season hit out on Thursday night at Allianz Stadium.
GALLERY: Sydney FC And Mariners All Square
The Sky Blues dominated a Central Coast Mariners side at Allianz Stadium and created a number of good chances to break the deadlock.
However the score remained goalless in a solid workout for the squad, as Arnold heads into next week happy with his team’s fitness.
What They Said
Graham Arnold: “It was an excellent final hit out for the boys ahead of next week’s opener.
“We probably should have had three or four goals with the amount of chances we created and on another night we would have.
“But it wasn’t about that this evening, it was about ensuring we are right to go next week and we are.
“The players I needed to get through 90 minutes did so and we are now looking in excellent condition for the opening round.
“Defensively we were strong against a Mariners side who played on the counter and up front we again looked very threatening, but credit to them for holding on.”
Key Moments
7’ PAIN EFFORT: The Mariners winger makes a lung-bursting run down the left flank but his final effort whistles wide of the far upright.
9’ NINKOVIC HEADER: The Serbian goes very close with a header from a teasing Carney cross.
13’ DE SILVA CHANCE: Appiah cuts the ball back for De Silva who sees his effort directed straight into the arms of Redmayne.
33’ REDMAYNE SAVE: Pain is released down the left flank and he plays in De Silva who cuts inside but is once again denied by Redmayne, who gets down well.
40’ O’NEILL CHANCE: O’Neill takes control of a loose ball and drives into the Mariners box, however his shot goes just wide of the right post.
47’ BOBÔ CHANCE: Mierzejewski picks out Zullo in acres of space on the edge of the Mariners box and the left back whips in a cross, which is met by Bobô at the back post, who can’t divert it in.
50’ BOBÔ CHANCE: Some slick passing from the Sky Blues in the penalty box unlocks the Mariners defence, as Carney crosses to Bobô who is just stretching to reach the ball and is unable to direct it on target.
59’ MIERZEJEWSKI CHANCE: Bobô unselfishly played a reverse-pass to the Polish midfielder but a challenge from a Central Coast defender prompted his strike to go clear over the bar.
61’ BOBÔ CHANCE: The Brazilian striker meets a lofted ball with a side-footed volley but is unable to keep his effort down.
71’ BARO HEADER: The Spanish centre-back meets a Hiaeriej free-kick in front of goal, however he is unable to keep his header down and it whistles over the cross-bar
81’ KALIK GOES CLOSE: Brillante plays a brilliant lobbed ball over the heads of the Mariner’s defenders which is inches away from being turned in by Kalik.
Team News
Sydney FC 0 drew w. Central Coast Mariners 0
Head Coach Graham Arnold made a couple of changes from the squad that defeated Perth Glory 3-2 in a behind-closed-doors friendly last Wednesday at Leichardt Oval. Paulo Retre started at right back while Adrian Mierzejewski returned to the starting 11 in the position of an attacking midfielder.
Ground: Allianz Stadium
Attendance: N/A
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Alex WILKINSON, 5. Jordy BUIJS, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO (22. Seb RYALL), 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. BOBÔ, 10. Miloš NINKOVIĆ, 11. Adrian Mierzejewski, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 17. David CARNEY (16. Anthony KALIK, 73’).
Subs Not Used: 30. Tom HEWARD-BELLE (GK), 2. Aaron CALVER, , 19. Chris ZUVELA, 25. Christian GONZALEZ.
Yellow Card(s): Wilkinson 48’
Red Card(s): N/A
Central Coast Mariners: 18. Tom GLOVER (GK), 3. Joshua ROSE, 4. Jake MCGING (19. Harry ASCROFT, 75’), 5. Antony GOLEC, 6. Tom HIAERIEJ, 9. ASDRÚBAL (17. Josh BINGHAM, 75’), 10. Daniel DE SILVA (7. Andrew HOOLE, 75’), 11. Connor PAIN (21. Lachie WALES, 85’), 13. Kwabena APPIAH (12. Trent BUHAGIAR, 75’), 15. Alan BARÓ, 23. Wout BRAMA (16. Liam ROSE, 45’).
Subs Not Used: 1. Ben KENNEDY (GK), 8. Blake POWELL, 14. Adam BERRY.
Yellow Card(s): N/A
Red Card(s): N/A
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