Sydney FC star Anas Ouahim celebrated the first hat-trick of his career in a commanding 4-1 victory over Eastern SC in the AFC Champions League 2 clash last night.
Ouahim was also instrumental in the Sky Blues second goal of the night providing an assist to Polish striker Patryk Klimala.
The win not only showcased Ouahim’s individual brilliance but helped confirm Sydney FC’s progression to the last 16 of the continental competition for only the second time in the club’s history.
The German opened the scoring early in the first half, displaying his sharp instincts inside the box before a first time finish for the Sky Blues third following Klimala’s lay off.
The result was sealed with a fourth from the spot by Ouahim after Klimala was brought down.
It marks a purple patch for the attacking midfielder who came off the bench in Saturday’s Sydney Derby to score one and set up two in a 4-2 win.
The former Moroccan youth international was clearly proud of his first hat-trick milestone but remained grounded, emphasizing the team’s collective performance.
“As a player, you always want to score goals, and if you score a hat-trick, it’s very special.
“Obviously, I’m very proud of it, but it was very important to come here and make the next step, and that was done,” he said.
“If you score a hat-trick and win the game, it’s a very nice day for me.
“But I’m more happy with the performance of the team—job done.”
Four goals and three assists in two games within the space of five days is an exceptional return for any player and Ouahim credits a recent meeting with Sydney FC Head Coach Ufuk Talay for helping him elevate his game.
“This week I had a meeting about a few things which the boss showed me, and I’m trying to improve that about my game.
“I already feel it’s helping me on the pitch in dangerous situations, and I’m very thankful.”
Talay commended his team’s strong first-half showing in Hong Kong, while also pointing out areas for improvement in the second half.
“The first-half performance was very good, and the game was done with the goals that we scored.
“Second half, we made life difficult for ourselves with our decisions on the ball,” he said.
“It’s a game that we needed to win, and I think the boys did quite well.”
Talay also acknowledged the challenge of breaking down a defensively compact Eastern SC side.
“It’s harder to be the one to break down the opponent who sits deep, but I think Eastern made it difficult for us.”
The win puts Sydney FC in the competitions knockout stage for only the second time in the club’s history but that’s not the sole concern of Talay’s ambitions.
“We want to try and go all the way,” he continued. “We love being in these competitions, and it is very important we push all the way—in this and in our local competition too.”
The Sky Blues face Filipino team Kaya Iloilo FC in their final group match next Thursday night at Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah at 7pm and are already assured of second place in the group.
The draw for the knockout stage will be held on 12 December 2024 and last 16 ties will be played over two legs in mid to late February.
