A double to star striker Kerem Bulut has helped Sydney on its way to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Adelaide United in the National Youth League.
A double to star striker Kerem Bulut has helped Sydney FC to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Adelaide United in the National Youth League at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In a physical encounter, it was Sydney who had the better of the opening exchanges in an otherwise sluggish first half.
The first real chance of the game came in the ninth minute as Chris Payne was left with a one on with United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
A charging Birighitti managed to send Payne-s shot wide, though an unmarked Bulut nearly had an easy tap in chance only to be denied by the sideline.
Payne was in the action again on 19 minutes, with an excellent through ball putting Joel Chianese through on goal, again only to be denied by the goalkeeper.
Payne did his A-League chances no harm with what was a dominant performance. His performance was influential in the win, as he set up numerous opportunities to go with two goal assists.
In the 33rd minute Bulut made the Reds pay for their sloppy defence at the back, turning over a wayward Cornthwaite pass then rounding the goalkeeper and slotting from close range.
On the stroke of halftime however, Sydney-s hard work was undone as Adelaide made the most of a late scoring opportunity.
A cross from the left to the edge of the area met the head of Francesco Monterosso which scrambled its way over a sea of defenders. Sam Munro-s attempt fell agonisingly short as the ball just beat him across the line.
With the scores level at 1-1 going into the second half, Sydney came out looking to put their dominance into effect as they again had the better of the chances.
The Sky-Blues had a golden chance 53 minutes in as Chianese was awarded a penalty after he was brought down by Birighitti in a goal mouth exchange.
In what was a rare blemish for Payne his spot kicked hit the post courtesy of a diving hand from Birighitti who guessed correctly and kept United on level terms.
Payne made up for this blemish in style 10 minutes later as a deft touch put Bulut through on goal, who showed excellent composure to round the keeper for the second time and give Sydney a 2-1 advantage.
It was good vision from Payne yet again in the 73 rd minute who found Rhyan Grant who slotted the ball ahead of the rushing Birighitti for Sydney-s third goal in what would prove to be an unassailable lead for the Sky Blues.
Bulut, who takes his tally up to 11 goals for this season, was happy with the performance which puts Sydney back inside the top four.
“It was an intense game and we were happy with the win and happy to be in the top four,” Bulut said. He picked up a cork late in the match but seemed to be unfased by the injury.
“It was pretty aggressive out there but that-s football and you expect that”.
The youth team take on Gold Coast United at Southport Tigers on Sunday January 3, kick off is 3pm.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 3 (9. Kerem BULUT 33′ + 65′, 7. Rhyan Grant 73-)
Adelaide United FC 1 (15. Francesco MONTEROSSO 45+3)
Sydney FC Line-up: 20. Mark PULLMAN (gk), 2. Steven TIBBITTS (5. Sam GALLAGHER 49′), 3. Mitchell SPEER, 6. Chris PAYNE, 7. Rhyan GRANT, 8. Sam MUNRO (14. Tim MCGOWAN), 9. Kerem BULUT, 10. Antony GOLEC (c) 13. Joel CHIANESE, 15. Raymond MILLER (4. Joseph GIBBS 60′), 17. Luke AUSTIN.
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Nenad VEKIC (gk).
Yellow Cards: 7. Rhyan GRANT 30-, 83-, 8. Sam MUNRO 45+1-, 5. Sam GALLAGHER 63-.
Red Cards: 7. Rhyan GRANT 83-.
Goals: 9. Kerem BULUT 33′ + 65′, 7. Rhyan GRANT 73″.
Adelaide United FC Line-up: 1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 4. Dane MILOVANOVIC, 6. Alex SUNASKY, 7. Joel ALLWRIGHT, 8. Matthew MULLEN (c), 10. Andrew CIARLA (12. Brett RAYNER 37′), 11. Liam WOODING, 14. Lloyd OWUSU, 15. Francesco MONTEROSSO (9. Evan KOSTOPOLOUS 59′), 16. Joseph WRIGHT (3. Michael DOYLE 60′), 17. Robert CORNTHWAITE.
Substitutes Not Used: 20 Codey LARKIN (gk).
Yellow Cards: 8. Matthew MULLEN 28-, 16. Joseph WRIGHT 43-.
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: 15. Francesco MONTEROSSO 45+3.
Referee: Kurt AMS
At the Sydney Football Stadium.
