For the second straight week a Kerim Bulut double has steered Sydney FC to victory in the National Youth League, this time on the road against the Brisbane Roar.
For the second straight week a Kerim Bulut double has steered Sydney FC to victory in the National Youth League, this time on the road against the Brisbane Roar. Saturday’s 2-nil result makes it three from three for the Junior Sky Blues who at this early stage of the season look in good shape to defend their 2008/09 title.
Hot and windy conditions greeted the visitors in the northern capital but it didn-t stifle Sydney-s attack, with Bulut missing a chance to give his side the lead on the half hour – firing a spot penalty over the bar after being brought down in the box.
It didn-t take too much longer for the prolific scorer to get on the board however. In the 41st minute midfielder, Hussein Akil made a good run down the right then put it on a plate for Bulut. He gratefully accepted the tap in on the back post and gave his side a well-deserved advantage heading into the break.
Five minutes after the restart the 17-year old did it all himself, beating two defenders before driving the ball into the back of the net and adding not only to Sydney-s lead, but also to his rapidly growing reputation.
The Roar missed a chance to pull one back as time ticked away but the Junior Sky Blues were always in control of the contest. Like the AIS and Newcastle Jets before them, Brisbane couldn-t find a way past Sydney-s steely defence and the Junior Sky Blues claimed their third win of the season.
“The boys are grinding out games and showing good mental toughness,” said Sydney FC-s youth mentor, Steve O-Connor after the match. “It was a tough game but they battled it out well and it was a good result.”
Sydney FC-s next NYL outing will be against arch-rivals, the Central Coast Mariners, with the round-4 match to be played at Seymour Shaw Park in Miranda next Saturday afternoon at 3pm.
Match Detail
Brisbane Roar 0
Sydney FC 2 (Bulut 41-/50-)
Brisbane Roar: 1. Matt Acton (gk), 4. Michael Ryan, 5. Daniel Bowles (c), 6. Calum O-Connell (2. Matthew Byrne 46-), 7. Luke Brattan (3. Timothy Dunn 46-), 8. Jordan Farina, 11. Josh McVey, 12. Kenneth Dougall, 13. Adam Sarota (9. Tyler Thurtell 59-), 14. Albert Edward, 15. Antony Schiavo.
Substitutes not used: 20. Luke Muir (gk).
Yellow Cards: nil.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: nil.
Sydney FC: 1. Nenad Vekic (gk), 2. Steven Tibbets (c), 3. Mitchell Speer, 7. Dimitrios Petratos, 8. Hussein Akil (15. Raymond Miller 61-), 9. Kerim Bulut, 10. Zachary Cairncross (6. David Vrankovic 46-), 11. Iain Ramsay (4. Michael Stuart 58-), 13. Joel Chianese, 14. Tim McGowan, 17. Luke Austin.
Substitutes not used: 20. Mark Pullman (gk).
Yellow Cards: Nenad Vekic 54-, Kerim Bulut 56-, David Vrankovic 75-.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Kerim Bulut 41-/50-.
Referee: Jared Gillett (at Goodwin Park, Brisbane).
