Sydney FC’s young guns have made the perfect start to their title defence, kicking-off their 2009/10 National Youth League campaign with a 1-0 win over the AIS at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday evening. A brilliant goal from Chris Payne in the first half sealed the three points for Sydney in a match that was competitive for the full 90 min
Sydney FC-s young guns have made the perfect start to their title defence, kicking-off their 2009/10 National Youth League campaign with a 1-0 win over the AIS at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday evening. A brilliant goal from Chris Payne in the first half sealed the three points for Sydney in a match that was competitive for the full 90 minutes.
Sydney FC-s new look Youth team dominated the first half, coming close to opening the scoring on several occasions. Kerim Bulut had a two great chances from close range, but failed to find his finishing touch. He sliced his first effort wide after overrunning a fumble from AIS keeper Lawrence Thomas. His second attempt in the 34th minute was better, showing great reactions to put a knee to a rocket cross but the ball deflected harmlessly off a surprised Thomas.
It was Chris Payne-s long range effort that counted in the 40th minute, however. After regathering the ball, he beat his man before taking a low shot at the bottom left-hand corner that opened the the Sky Blues- scoring account for season 2009/10.
Nenad Vekic came on for Sydney after the break and was immediately in the action between the sticks, defusing some potentially dangerous crosses from the AIS-s pacey wingers. Kamal Ibrahim came close for the visitors on the hour mark, firing a rising shot from out wide that just went over the bar.
Sydney played itself back into the match after a host of changes in the 60th minute and a physical tussle in midfield developed. The visitors had another golden opportunity in the 75th minute, after a pinpoint cross from replacement David Televski found fellow substitute Jared Lum at the back post. The resulting header fell just wide.
The hosts endured a late scare in the 89th minute after Televski ran through the defence, but his low shot to the near post was saved by Vekic. Payne had another long crack at the other end in the dying minutes that went over the top and the single goal was enough to secure full points for Sydney.
The Newcastle Jets are the next side in Sydney-s sights, at home next Sunday afternoon at the SFS. The NYL encounter kicks- off at 12.15pm.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 1 (Chris Payne 40-)
AIS 0
Sydney FC: 1. Ivan NECESKI (gk) (20. Nenad VEKIC (gk) 46-), 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Antony GOLEC, 4. Stuart MUSIALIK, 5. Sam GALLAGHER, 6. Sam MUNRO (c), 9. Kerim BULUT, 10. Zac CAIRNCROSS (17. Luke AUSTIN 60-), 11. Lain Ramsay (7. Dimitrios PETRATOS 60-), 14. Adam CASEY (8. Hussein AKIL 60-), 15. Chris PAYNE.
Substitutes not used: nil.
Yellow Cards: 5. Sam GALLAGHER 35-, Sam MUNRO 90-.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: Chris PAYNE 40′.
AIS: 21. Mustafa AMINI, 7. Terry ANTONIS, 8. Eli BABALJ, 11. Christopher BUSH (6. Patrick DIXON 60-), 5. Sam GALLAWAY (3. David TALEVSKI 60-), 15. Brendan HAMILL, 13. Kamal IBRAHIM, 18. Ersin KAYA (12. Jared LUM 60-), 2. Trent SAINSBURY, 10. Nikola STANOJEVIC (c), 1. Lawrence THOMAS (gk).
Substitutes not used: Aaron LENNOX (gk).
Yellow Cards: 15. Brendan HAMILL 45-.
Red Cards: nil.
Goals: nil.
Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones.
