Sydney FC’s National Youth team has a share of the early competition lead after goals to Sean Rooney and Kerim Bulut steered them to hard-fought win over Adelaide United in this-afternoon’s National Youth League clash at Sutherland.
Sydney FC-s National Youth team has a share of the early competition lead after goals to Sean Rooney and Kerim Bulut steered them to hard-fought win over Adelaide United in this-afternoon-s National Youth League clash at Sutherland.
Steve O-Connor-s young guns got off to an impressive start at Seymour Shaw Park, claiming a well-earned one nil lead in the opening stanza, but they were forced to work hard for the points in the second half, holding off a determined fightback from the previously unbeaten visitors to claim the second victory of their campaign.
FC looked dangerous from the outset against Adelaide and could easily have taken the lead in the 2nd minute when Adam Biddle found himself unmarked in the box but opted to pass rather than shoot.
The Sky Blues weren-t having things all their own way but rarely looked threatened at the back, and they kept up the pressure on United-s defence with Biddle slicing a tame shot wide on the 22 minute mark.
Despite Sydney-s dominance clear chances were proving hard to come by until Ivan Necevski spotted Brendan Gan in space on the half hour mark.
After receiving the keeper-s long throw the Sutherland star delivered an inch-perfect pass to Sean Rooney, and his clinical finish had Sydney celebrating a one nil lead.
FC maintained control of the contest but couldn-t add to its advantage before the break, and they had to be on their toes straight after the restart with Adelaide lifting its intensity and testing Vedran Janjetovic immediately on his introduction in goal.
The visitor-s pace continued to cause concern, particularly down the flanks, but Sydney was still in control and should have been two clear in the 52nd minute, when Rooney failed to finish with his close-range header.
Both teams went to their benches on the hour, and ten minutes after his introduction, replacement player Kerim Bulut made the most of his opportunity to impress Sydney-s coach, latching onto a beautiful ball from Robbie Mileski, beating the advancing keeper and doubling the advantage to two.
The enhanced lead lasted only three minutes however, with an error from Janjetovic opening the door for Adelaide at the other end of the park.
The keeper hesitated a second too long after a long ball was launched into his penalty area.
That provided more than enough time for Michael DeBono to pounce, and he placed the ball comfortably past the stranded custodian.
The South Australians sensed an opportunity and the Sky Blues were forced to endure plenty of nervous moments as both balls and Adelaide players whizzed about their box.
The shots continued to slide wide however, and Sydney stayed in the contest.
Chris Payne almost put the icing on the cake in time-added-on, rounding keeper, Lucan Andreucci and rolling the ball towards the net.
Adelaide-s Ivan Pavlak scrambled to clear the ball off the line but despite saving the goal, he couldn-t spare his side its first defeat.
Following the 2-1 win Sydney-s young guns will now hit the road along with the senior team, and next week will line up against the undefeated Perth Glory.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 2
Adelaide United 1
Sydney FC: 1. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk) (OA) (20. Vedran JANJETOVIC (gk) 46-), 2. Rhyan GRANT, 3. Adam BIDDLE, 4. Chris TRIANTIS, 5. Mitchell PRENTICE (OA) (7. Robbie MILESKI 57-), 8. Anthony GOLEC, 9. Sean ROONEY (6. Chris PAYNE 60-), 10. Zach CAIRNCROSS, 11. Kofi DANNING (15. Kerim BULUT 57-), 12. Ibrahim HAYDAR, 14. Brendan GAN.
Substitutes Not Used: None.
Yellow Cards: Triantis 37′.
Red Cards:
Goals: Rooney 29-, Bulut 69-.
Adelaide United: 2. Michael DOYLE (21. Angelo ARAMBATZIS 60-), 3. Scott WEIDENBACH (12. Ivan PAVLAK 54-), 4. Michael MARRONE, 5. Shane TOBIAS, 6. Alex SUNASKY, 7. Joe ALRIGHT, 8. Mathew MULLEN (16. Michael DE BONO 54-), 9. Fransesco MONTEROSSO, 10. Osama MALIK, 14. Travis ANDERSON, 30. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk) ( 20. Lucas ANDREUCCI (gk) 57-).
Substitutes Not Used: None.
Yellow Cards: Tobias 64-, Sunasky 75-.
Red Cards:
Goals: De Bono 72-.
Referee: Steven Gregory
