ACL – What We Learned – Guangzhou Evergrande 1 Sydney FC 0

ACL – What We Learned – Guangzhou Evergrande 1 Sydney FC 0

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With the Pohang Steelers getting the Sky Blues out of jail on a dramatic night of Asian Champions League action for Australian clubs, Sydney put in a spirited performance to go down 1-0 via an opening lapse in concentration.

A wet and sparse Tianhe Stadium welcomed a Sydney FC outfit arriving with the carrot of potentially topping their ACL ‘group of death’.

Shane Smeltz lead out a changed side that saw surprising starting berths for Aaron Calver, Zac Anderson and Riley Woodcock in a makeshift defence. Key defender Matt Jurman was benched, sitting on one yellow card short of a suspension before the knockout phase.

With no Paulinho or Jackson Martinez, the hosts still named a quality XI but with no possibility of qualification and thunderstorms looming (literally), the stage was set for the Sky Blues to make history on Chinese soil.

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Worst possible start

Guangzhou extinguished that hope one minute and 29 seconds in, seeing Gao Lin tap in a simple cross from close range.

Andrew Hoole and Rhyan Grant failed to prevent the ball coming in as Calver and Anderson fluffed their lines. Janjetovic could do nothing but pick the ball out of the back of the net. 1-0 early and it looked like a long day at the office.

Just as Sydney started to fashion some half chances on the edge of the Guangzhou box, Goulart almost caught the defence napping on a counter attack, blasting wide of the posts.

In the 22nd minute Andrew Hoole gave away a cheap foul to see Huang Bowen curl a stunning 25-yard free kick into the post, as the rebound was somehow hit wide from Yu Hanchao in front of an empty net.

The best passages of play for Sydney came when Milos Ninkovic was able to get his foot on the ball and find pockets of space. One magnificent trap and flick move saw the field open up for Grant to whip in a cross, only for the ball to end up in row Z.

Scolari sets the trap

The pace of the game slowed down dramatically taking the ball out from the back, with Evergrande preferring to pounce from their own half when Sydney conceded possession.

The cat-and-mouse tactical battle created a false sense of security for the Sky Blues, who didn’t look seriously under threat until they ventured into the opposing third.

The first 45 concluded without much incident, with the Pohang Steelers match away at Urawa Red Diamonds looking the more likely to salvage something rather than an equaliser.

Tempers fray to start second half

Calver and Grant tested the patience of the official, getting involved in needless confrontation while Guangzhou players engaged in a bit of sportsmanship. It would be the former who entered the book first, leaving a leg in to see yellow.

Grant’s poor evening would not improve, suffering heavy touches and gifting away good positions out wide without being under any pressure on the ball.

This was the most frustrating element of the game – failing to capitalise on wide open spaces, a result was there for the taking.

As Goulart enjoyed a rare shot on goal, news filtered through of a goal from Pohang in Japan. All of a sudden, Sydney were staying top even in defeat.

Fresh faces gave new impetus

Ryan Stambolziev, Alex Mullen and George Blackwood came on to give some added industry and enthusiasm on a surface that appeared heavier under foot by every passing minute.

With the game drifting to a loss and Guangzhou taking their foot off the peddle, Sydney exerted a sustained period of pressure. Consecutive corners presented Smeltz with a header on goal and the chances were starting to come.

A scuffed shot from O’Neill laid the ball onto the Kiwi’s foot, but the veteran could not control the opportunity. A goal seemed so close, yet oh so far.

A staggering three minutes was all the stoppage time Sydney would get, despite a barrage of fouls and a lecture from the referee to Scolari that seemed to be 180 seconds on its own.

As the fulltime whistle went, news filtered through that Pohang secured an upset 1-1 draw at Urawa to keep the J-League giants in the runners up position. History had been made, even in the wake of a loss that could and should have been avoided.

Cause for optimism heading to the knockout phase

All three substitutes impressed with Milos Ninkovic clearly being the main cog in the wheel. The Serbian’s control and ability to pop up in dangerous areas will be Graham Arnold’s ace up the sleeve.

Young full-back Riley Woodcock struggled to find a foothold. His passing and defence left a lot to be desired, although he was not helped by Naumoff in front of him.

Shandong Luneng now awaits on May 18 and 25, the first of which to be played in China once more. The CSL franchise knocked out A-League champions Adelaide United in the qualifiers and if the Sky Blues want to make the final eight, they won’t be able to allow a similar start like this one against Evergrande.

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