Ufuk Talay’s Sydney FC have fallen in the Australia Cup at the hands of Oakleigh Cannons.
They were unable to overcome a first half deficit despite new signing Anas Ouahim scoring on debut from the penalty spot.
Sydney FC 1 (Ouahim 25′ pen) def. by Oakleigh Cannons 3 (Sinclair 14′, Kasumovic 38′, Wellsmore 74′)
Moments That Mattered
14′ | OAKLEIGH OPEN THE SCORING – A counter attack sees the Sky Blue defence stretched and Oakleigh re-work the ball and nod in for the opening goal of the game.
25′ | OUAHIM LEVELS THE SCORING – The new signing steps up and sees his initial penalty saved but after encroachment from the keeper he retakes and slots it home.
38′ | CANNONS RETAKE THE LEAD – The ball isn’t cleared and it is played through to Kasumovic who volleys into the back of the net from a tight angle.
48′ | SEGECIC TESTS FEELY – Adrian Segecic finds space on the edge of the box and drives an effort goalward but Nick Feely stands behind it.
74′ | OAKLEIGH ADD A THIRD – A cheap giveaway sets Oakleigh away and they curl one into the side netting from the edge of the box.
What They Said – Rhyan Grant
“Disappointing result. They’re a good outfit, we knew that and they were up for it and credit to them, they played good.
“We’ve got some good youngsters coming through that got a chance tonight and they did well but it is about us now and we have a long pre-season now to work on things.”
Match Report
Sydney FC travelled to Victoria to take on Oakleigh Cannons in the Australia Cup Round of 32 and found the going tough across the whole 90 minutes.
In the opening 45 minutes the challenges were flying in from the hosts as they looked to catch Sydney off guard and they did just that when they took the lead early on.
A long ball over the top appeared off-side but the flag remained down and the Cannons surged forward in numbers and a cross into the back post was nodded back from Joe Guest and into the path of an on-rushing Kingsley Sinclair to give them a dream start.
Following this early scare, Ufuk Talay’s side built into the contest and began to stroke the ball around and dominate the possession and create a few half chances.
New signing Anas Ouahim was up-ended inside the box midway through the half and referee Shaun Evans pointed to the spot. Ouahim stepped up to take the penalty but found his initial effort saved by Nick Feely in the Cannons net. Thankfully for him, the assistant’s flag was raised with the goalkeeper moving off his line.
On the second attempt, Ouahim made no mistake, scoring his first goal in Sydney colours and drawing his side level on the night.
Sadly, it didn’t remain that way for Sydney as Oakleigh found the lead once more.
A slip in the midfield gifted the ball to the hosts and a swift ball in behind released Asad Kasumovic in on a tight angle and he rifled it in at the near post past Andrew Redmayne.
Into the second half, and Ufuk Talay’s side came out with plenty of enthusiasm and created a few decent early chances from the boot of Adrian Segecic, Nathan Amanatidis and Marin France.
They were unable to find a way through with Amanatidis denied again at the back post when Nick Feely foiled his attempt on target.
Ultimately, it was Oakleigh’s night as Sydney sloppily gave the ball away in the middle of the park setting them on their way again and Emlyn Wellsmore sold the defence, cut inside and curled one into the corner from the edge of the box to double their advantage.
Despite some late changes, the Sky Blues were unable to break down the solid defensive effort of the Cannons and exit the cup at the Round of 32 stage.
They will now look to reconvene and focus on their Asian Champions League campaign which begins in mid-September.
Oakleigh Cannons: 1. Nick FEELY (GK), 2. Jordon HALL, 4. Brodie BOYCE, 5. Jacob TRATT, 8. Cameron McGILP, 10. Joe GUEST (3. Connor HAMPSON 71′), 14. Kingsley SINCLAIR (9. Alex SALMON 45′), 19. Oliver KUBILAY, 22. Stefan VALENTINI (16. Max BISETTO 90’+3′), 23. Emlyn WELLSMORE, 47. Asad KASUMOVIC (18. Noah HOLMES 90’+3).
Unused Subs: 21. Brendan WHITE (GK), 11. Moonib ADUS, 20. Luke MENSINK.
Yellow Cards: Kubilay (7′), Guest (45’+4).
Red Cards: None.
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 4. Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, 5. Hayden MATTHEWS, 7. Adrian SEGECIC (32. Nickolas ALFARO 77′), 8. Anas OUAHIM, 16. Joel KING, 23. Rhyan GRANT (C), 25. Jaiden KUCHARSKI, 27. Lachlan MIDDLETON (6. Corey HOLLMAN 90’+2), 28. Nathan AMANTIDIS (19. Mitchell GLASSON 86′), 33. Marin FRANCE.
Unused Subs: 12. Harrison DEVENISH-MEARES (GK), 3. Aaron GURD, 24. Wataru KAMIJO, 31. Jacob BRAZETE.
Yellow Cards: France (33′), King (59′).
Red Cards: None.
Venue: Home of the Matildas
Referee: Shaun Evans
