Sydney FC 2 (O’Neill 34’, Le Fondre 62’) def. Shanghai SIPG 2 (Elkeson 47’, Shenchao 60’)
Sydney FC have taken a valuable away point against Asian powerhouse Shanghai SIPG following a 2-2 draw in another entertaining encounter between the sides.
Moments That Mattered:
- Redmayne Save – 9’ – Redders dives low to his left to deny Hulk’s stinging long-range effort.
- Redmayne Save – 32’ – Another world class save from our no.1 just tips the ball around the post from another Hulk strike.
- O’Neill Goal – 34’ – A lightning quick counter-attack ends with Branners delicately sliding the ball the other way of an advancing Junling.
- Elkeson Goal – 47’ – The substitute makes an immediate impact as his glancing near post header finds the back of the net.
- Shenchao Goal – 60’ – Hulk delivers a driven ball to the back post for Shanghai’s fullback to finish from close range.
- Le Fondre Goal – 62’ – Sydney FC hit right back as de Jong picks out Alfie’s head to square the ledger.
- Redmayne Save – 78’ – Shanghai force possession for Chuangyi slicing his effort towards goal that Redmayne just tips around the post.
In what was another entertaining night in the AFC Asian Champions League, it was the Sky Blues who drew first blood. A marauding run from Grant followed by brilliant interplay allowed O’Neill to classily send the ball the other way of the Shanghai keeper.
At the other end, Redmayne made a number of crucial saves in the first stanza of the contest as Shanghai’s superstars looked to stamp their authority on the match.
They would only need to wait shortly after the restart for a goal as Brazilian star Elkeson nodded home in his first involvement in the match. This was closely followed by a goal from fullback Shenchao to cap off a quick fire double for the home side that pushed them into the lead.
This was short lived as Corica’s men restored parity a mere two minutes later through Adam Le Fondre as he glanced a header from a de Jong cross past a helpless Junling.
Redmayne matched his first half performance, making a number of vital saves and being a commanding presence to ensure the side secured a vital away point.
The result leaves the Sky Blues’ position in Group H delicately poised with two games remaining, as wins in both those games will see Sydney FC through to the next stage of the competition.
What they said: Adam Le Fondre
“Probably disappointed with the draw tonight. I think we were good value for the three points. We were pushing all the way and the team was in the ascendancy at the end.
“We showed the club’s resilience to come back. We thoroughly deserved the three points but a point away to Shanghai isn’t a bad result.”
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 2. Aaron CALVER, 4. Alex WILKINSON, 6. Josh BRILLANTE, 8. Paulo RETRE, 9. Adam LE FONDRE, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 16. Reza GHOOCHANNEJHAD (31. Luke IVANOVIC 81’), 17. Anthony CACERES, (11. Daniel De SILVA 65’) 22. Siem de JONG (21. Mitch AUSTIN 73’)
Subs Not Used: 20. Alex CISAK (GK), 18. Jacob TRATT, 25. Joel KING.
Yellow Cards: None.
Red Cards: None.
Shanghai SIPG: 1. Yan JUNLING, 2. Zhang WEI, 4. Wang SHENCHAO, 6. Cai HUIKANG (15. Lin CHUANGYI 77’), 8. OSCAR, 10. HULK, 14. Li SHENGLONG (11. Lu WENJUN 45’), 21. Yu HAI, 23. Fu HUAN, 25. Odil AKHMEDOV (9. ELKESON 45’), 28. He GUAN.
Subs not used: 22. Sun LE (GK), 13. Wei ZHEN, 18. Zhang YI, 24. Lei WENJIE, 37. Chen BINBIN.
Yellow Cards: 28. He GUAN 22’, Lu WENJUN 52’,
Red Cards: None.
Ground: Shanghai Stadium
Referee: Abdulrahman Ibrahim Al-Jassim
