Sydney FC remain undefeated in the Foxtel National Youth League following a one nil win against the FFA Centre of Excellence (formerly AIS) in Canberra on Saturday.
Despite the close score line the Sky Blues dominated the majority of the match and should have finished with more than the single goal.
While the opening 15 minutes was an even contest Sydney FC started to gain the ascendancy soon after and it was George Blackwood that first troubled the opposition keeper when his shot on the turn was smothered.
Christopher Naumoff then had a good opportunity as he burst into the penalty area only to blaze his shot over the bar which was followed by a Blackwood header from a corner kick that also skimmed the woodwork.
In the 35th minute the pressure eventually paid off when Chris Zuvela collected the ball out wide and easily shook off his defender to race into the box. Hitting the byline, Zuvela cut the ball back on an angle to Blackwood who put his laces through it to rip the back of the net and put the Sky Blues in the lead.
The second half was much of the same as the FFA Centre of Excellence side struggled to break down the Sydney FC defensive structure resorting to long balls which were easily wrapped up in the backline by Aaron Calver, George Timotheou and Anthony Bouzanis.
Sydney peppered the opposition goals with good chances falling to Daniel Araujo, Max Burgess and substitute Bai Antoniou but the final effort fell just short of the mark.
Christopher Naumoff had an amazing five minute spell late in the game that saw two of his shots cleared off the line with the keeper beaten and a third rattle the crossbar as Sydney FC pushed to wrap up the match.
Another Sky Blue substitute Charles Lokolingoy caused the defence all sorts of problems with a dynamic 10 minute cameo which saw him whiz the ball across the face of goal on a number of occasions with Sydney forwards only centimetres away from extending the lead.
Sydney FC favourite Ali Abbas also returned to the pitch for his first competitive match in over 12 months and completed 75 minutes before being substituted as he continues to return to full fitness.
In the end the Sky Blues settled for the one nil result which now sees them five points clear at the top of Conference B with three wins and a bye after four rounds.
Sydney FC’s Foxtel National Youth League side are in action again next Sunday, 6 December with a home match against Newcastle Jets at Lambert Park, Leichhardt kick off at 7.00pm.
The young Sky Blues will follow the Sydney FC Westfield W-League squad in another double header of football at Lambert Park.
FFA COE 0 def. by Sydney FC 1 (Blackwood 35′)
Sydney FC: Anthony Bouzanis; Nicola Kuleski; Aaron Calver; George Timotheou; Ali Abbas (Bai Antoniou 75′); Yianni Spyrakis; Daniel Araujo; Chris Zuvela (Lachlan Hughes 80′); Max Burgess; George Blackwood; Chris Naumoff (81′ Charles Lokolingoy)
Subs not used: Nicholas Sorras (GK)
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