Sydney FC have headed into their first AFC Asian Champions League 2 match with a pre-season friendly victory over Newcastle Jets.
Douglas Costa was involved with a goal while Patryk Klimala impressed in his 66 minute debut in Sky Blue, with goals to Joe Lolley, Rhyan Grant and Jordan Courtey-Perkins the difference in a controlling 90 minutes at Jubilee Stadium.
Sydney FC 3 (Lolley 13′, Grant 48′, Courtney-Perkins 59′) def. Newcastle Jets 2 (Rose 30′, Gibson 88′)
All Photos – Jaime Casteneda (@jamcas50 / IG)
Moments That Mattered
13’ | LOLLEY INTO THE TOP CORNER – Joe Lolley gets the break of the ball and takes full advantage for the opener rifling one into the top corner.
30′ | JETS HIT ON THE COUNTER – Lachie Rose is played in behind on the counter and slots home for the equaliser.
39′ | REDMAYNE BIG SAVE – Andrew Redmayne denies the Jets with a brilliant one on one save.
48′ | GRANT CONVERTS AT THE BACK POST – Rhyan Grant is found from a brilliant Douglas Costa cross and volleys into the roof of the net.
59′ | COURTNEY-PERKINS ON TARGET – The number four rises highest from a Joe Lolley cross to nod into the net.
87′ | JETS FIND A CONSOLATION – The visitors score late through their new signing Ben Gibson.
Match Report
On Wednesday afternoon, Sydney FC hosted Newcastle Jets in their final pre-season hit out before the start of their AFC Asian Champions League 2 campaign.
It was a vital 90 minutes with new signings Douglas Costa and Patryk Klimala looking dangerous throughout and getting a vital 66 minutes in the tank.
Overall, Talay’s side were way to strong for the visitors, running out 3-2 winners at Jubilee Stadium.
Both teams started brightly and Sydney FC almost had the early lead when new signing Patryk Klimala ran through on goal but he was brought down on the edge of the box to deny his one on one chance and a goal on debut.
From the free-kick, Douglas Costa stepped up and he saw his effort nodded away by the wall with the ball heading into the top corner for the opening goal.
They didn’t have to wait long for the opener though with Joe Lolley netting his first of the pre-season and what a goal it was. He tried to look for the overlapping run but saw his pass blocked, however he continued his run inside and found the ball back at his feet and after taking a touch, guided one into the top corner, leaving the Jets keeper with no chance.
Sydney FC were dominating the possession and play was firmly contested in the Jets half with Stanton’s side barely venturing over the halfway line. However, they did get one chance on the counter with no foul called on Leo Sena in the final third and the visitors swiftly moved up the park and Lachie Rose slotted his one on one chance to tie the match.
Before the half was up, Sydney FC had another chance from the corner with Jordan Courtney-Perkins almost getting on the end of a delivery but was just inches away from connecting inside the six yard box.
At the other end, Andrew Redmayne was called into action when he denied the Jets with a brilliant one on one save to ensure both teams went in level at the break.
Right at the start of the second half, Joe Lolley forced a good save out of Ryan Scott after he cut inside onto his left and curled one low but it was palmed away from danger.
Talay’s side were piling on the early pressure and went ahead through the skipper. An incredible Douglas Costa cross took out the entire Jets defence and keeper, and found the late arriving Rhyan Grant at the back post who volleyed into the roof of the net to reinstate the lead on the day.
Whatever was said at half time by Ufuk Talay clearly worked because the Jets had no answers to the ball movement and pressing of the Sky Blues who pegged the visitors back throughout most of the half.
Their pressure was rewarded with another goal, this time from the head of Jordan Courtney-Perkins. Joe Lolley found himself on the left wing and flighted in a brilliant cross into the middle of the box. Courtney-Perkins outmuscled his defender and nodded into the back of the net for a two goal lead.
The Sky Blues almost had a forth when they pressed the visitors and won the ball inside their area. Corey Hollman was one on one with the keeper and drew a strong save from the Jets keeper with the ball rebounding back out to Anthony Caceres who fired another shot goal-ward and Scott had to react quickly to repel.
As the game headed to it’s conclusion and the changes began flowing, the intensity drifted away from the contest and the Jets were able to find a consolation goal with minutes remaining.
In the end, a great hit out for the boys before their AFC Asian Champions League 2 campaign kicks off against Eastern FC.
Grab your tickets now for the opening match of the season, when Eastern FC come to visit on Thursday 19th September – Get Tickets
Line-Up
1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5. Hayden MATTHEWS (19. Mitch GLASSON 85′), 8. Anas OUAHIM (6. Corey HOLLMAN HT), 9. Patryk KLIMALA (25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI 66′), 10. Joe LOLLEY (28, Nathan AMANATIDIS 66′), 11. Douglas COSTA (7. Adrian SEGECIC 66′), 15. Leo SENA (27. Lachlan MIDDLETON 70′), 16. Joel KING (31, Will KENNEDY 75′), 17. Anthony CACERES (33. Marin FRANCE 85′), 23. Rhyan GRANT (C).
Unused Subs: 3. Aaron GURD, 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES (GK), 20. Tiago QUINTAL, 21. Zac DE JESUS, 22. Max BURGESS.
