NSW Premier League outfit Rockdale City Suns played out an entertaining 1-1 draw against A-League Asian Champions League side Sydney FC at Illinden Sports Centre played in front of well almost 1,600 spectators on Wednesday evening.
NSW Premier League outfit Rockdale City Suns played out an entertaining 1-1 draw against A-League Asian Champions League side Sydney FC at Illinden Sports Centre played in front of well almost 1,600 spectators on Wednesday evening.
Suns coach Lee Sterrey used this match as good preparation for their huge derby clash against staunch rivals Bankstown City FC this Saturday evening at the same venue and the players did not disappoint in what was a good showing by Rockdale.
For Sydney, it was a good encounter to continue its preparations for the Asian Champions League with their next AFC match set for the Sydney Football Stadium on Wednesday 6th April against Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua (8pm kick-off).
Sydney FC started with a host of their star players with the likes of Bruno Cazarine, David Williams, Nick Carle and Mark Bridge to name a few while the Suns fielded a fairly strong squad with skipper Peter Apoleski, former Newcastle Jets youth stars Jason Naidovski and Steve Veleski and ex-Sydney FC National Youth League player Giorgio Speranza in the starting line-up.
The match was 0-0 at half-time but it was the second half where all the action hit fever pitch as Sydney FC struck first via former Sydney Olympic youngster Dimitri Petratos in the 76th minute.
Petratos pounced and hit a decisive volley after a defensive mix-up in the Suns back-line which led to the Sky Blues- first goal.
Drama struck though during extra-time as the Suns faithful had something to cheer about when Sash Tirovski played a neat ball to Marino Musumeci who tapped in from close range after a blunder in the Sydney FC defence that led to the home team-s equaliser.
Overall a fantastic hit-out for Sydney FC while the Suns put on a good display in front of a healthy crowd at Rockdale.