Summary
Sydney FC 2 (Wilkshire 28’, Brosque 33’) drew Shanghai Shenhua FC 2 (Martins 26’, Vasquez 39’)
Sydney FC have their first point on the board in the AFC Champions League after playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw away to Shanghai Shenhua FC, in a game they deserved to win.
It was the home side that took the lead first through former Premier League striker Obafemi Martins before back-to-back Sky Blue goals for Wilkshire and Brosque put Sydney FC in the ascendancy. Shanghai pulled level by at the end of the first half through another international star Vasquez.
Both sides had chances in the second half with Graham Arnold’s men coming agonisingly close a number of times late in the game but it wasn’t to be.
The Sky Blues now turn their attention to the last Sydney Derby at ‘Fortress Allianz’ against Western Sydney this coming Sunday evening.
What They Said
Alex Brosque: “We were much better tonight, we moved the ball around a lot more and on another night we might have made it four or five. I think we should have won.
“We switched off a bit in patches but we could have been a little more clinical tonight.
“It is harder in the AFC Champions League with the quality but you get more space so you just have to move the ball around well.”
Asst. Coach – Steve Corica: “We expect to qualify and get through to the next round despite the tough group.
“We’re disappointed we didn’t get the three points but we move on to the next game.”
Goals
26’ GOAL FOR MARTINS – Shanghai break on the counter quickly to find Martins in the box as he finds the net despite the pressure from Calver.
28’ WILKSHIRE WITH IMMEDIATE REPLY – The Sky Blues hit right back with Wilkshire following up on Bobô’s strong headed effort to bang home from an acute angle at close range.
33’ BROSQUE GIVES IT SOME VIOLENCE – Mierzejewski plays it through the middle to Ninkovic who turns to play in Brosque. The captain shrugs off a challenge and belts home just inside the box.
39’ GOAL FOR VASQUEZ – Redmayne firmly tips away across but it lands directly at the feet of Shanghai’s Vasquez who hits it first time into a partially open net.
Key Moments
9’ OPEN HEADER MISSED MORENO – a quick free kick is taken before Sydney FC’s backline can get back in formation with Moreno missing the guilt edge chance right in front.
23’ BROSQUE HITS THE CROSSBAR – Brilliant build up play between Ninkovic and Zullo sets up the Sky Blues captain who comes agonisingly close with his glancing right foot effort onto the bar.
32’ BOBO GOES ALONE – Another swift counter for Sydney FC leads to the Brazilian bursting down the left. Cutting back on his right, he see’s his shot deflected out for a corner.
43’ TAKEN OFF THE FOOT OF BROSQUE – Ninkovic slips an inch perfect pass through to Brosque. As he’s about to pull the trigger, Shanghai manage to get a toe to the ball to prevent a near certain goal.
45+1’ SO CLOSE BOBÔ – Ninkovic hangs a ball up which takes a deflection and bobbles up for Bobô who flashes his first time effort just wide of the left hand post.
53’ BRILLANT BUILD UP FOR BOBÔ – Sharp interplay between Mierzejewski, Ninkovic and Brosque leads to a well-hit effort on goal from Bobô. Despite being onside by a metre, the lineman flags the striker.
59’ BROSQUE GOES CLOSE – Mierzejewski plays a world-class ball through to Brosque who rounds the keeper but can’t manage to find the net from the narrow angle.
66’ ZULLO OFF INJURED – Zullo pulls up short clutching his hamstring after a run and is forced off.
68’ FREE KICK EFFORT MIERZEJEWSKI – Adrian whips a stinging effort towards goal with the keeper only managing to parry it away for a corner.
71’ GREAT SAVE REDMAYNE – Vasques chinks left and right and unleashes a thunderous effort towards goal but Redmayne manages to push it away.
84’ STINGING SHOT MIERZEJEWSKI – The ball pops out for Mierzejewski who smashes an effort towards goal but the Shanghai keeper just does enough.
89’ SO CLOSE NINKOVIC – Mierzejewski yet again with a perfect ball this time to Ninkovic in the left channel but he can’t direct his effort on target, finding the side netting.
90+4 LAST CHANCE NINKOVIC – Mierzejewski swings the ball to the back post for Wilkshire who nods it down to Ninkovic but the midfield maestro hits the ball over the bar.
Team News
Sydney FC 2 (Wilkshire 28’, Brosque 33’) drew Shanghai Shenhua FC 2 (Martins 26’, Vasquez 39’)
Ground: Hongkou Football Stadium Shanghai
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (gk), 2. Aaron CALVER, 4. Alex WILKINSON, 6. Joshua BRILLANTE, 7. Michael ZULLO (8. Paulo RETRE 66’), 9. BOBÔ, 10. Milos NINKOVIC, 11. Adrian MIERZEJEWSKI, 13. Brandon O’NEILL, 14. Alex BROSQUE, 26. Luke WILKSHIRE.
Subs Not Used: 20. Alex CISAK (gk), 3. Ben WARLAND , 16. Anthony KALIK, 19. Christopher ZUVELA, 21. Charles LOKOLINGOY, 32. William MUTCH.
Yellow Cards: None.
Red Cards: None.
Shanghai Shenhua FC: 27. Li SHUAI (gk), 3. Li JIANBIN, 7. Mao JIANQING (18. Gao DI 78’), 10. Giovanni MORENO, 13. Fredy Alejandro VASQUEZ, 16. Li YUNQIU, 17. Obafemi MARTINS, 23. Baid JIAJUN, 26. Qin SHENG (37. Sun SHILIN 87’), 28. Cao YUNDING (8. Zhang LU 8’), 34. Bi JINHAO
Subs Not Used: 22. Qiu SHENGJIONG (gk), 20. Wang YUN, 30. Tao JIN, 32. Fulangxisi AIDI.
Yellow Cards: 23. Baid JIAJUN 66’, 10. Giovanni MORENO 68’
Red Cards: None.
