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The first shot of the match came from AEK Athens, and it was ultimately a sign of things to come for Sydney. Necevski didn't look too comfortable in the air, deciding to punch a cross that could easily been caught. The intimate crowd at the SFS were, however, witness to a great goal-filled match, which will please organisers of the festival. The point-per-goal system will really come into play in the coming days, AEK Athens winning today's opening game 5-3.
Following a period of sustained pressure was goal one, put away by Leonardo Pereira in the 31st minute. Directly after this, the ball was up the other end and Brosque converted a penalty. Kafes, who had just been provider for Pereira, turned villain as he committed an obvious handball on a Sydney cross. Brosque put the ball in the top right corner to make it 1-1.
At a partly sunny SFS, goals continued to flow. A 36th minute goal came to AEK, slotted in by Blanco from the back post, flicked on by Kafes from a corner by Pereira. Blanco got away from his marker Sung-Hwan Byun. Sydney FC coach Lavicka said post-match he was not happy with the defense this game.
"Especially in defense... we made several mistakes and the quality of the team, as AEK are, punished each Sydney FC mistake".
Sydney were hoping for a signature wonder kick by Shannon Cole, but were disappointed as his 39th minute free-kick was hit straight at AEK keeper. The first half ended 2-1 to the team from Athens.
Shot-stopper Diego Sebastian Saja then made an aweful mistake in the 47th minute, tripping after an attempted clearance of the ball. Brosque easily taps in on the 47th to start the second half. Soon after, sloppy Sydney defensive play released Leanardo Pereira with a one on one, but he couldn't find the net after it looked easier to score than miss.
Coming into the match I wanted to see Nathan Burns have a run for AEK Athens. And that he did. He came on in the 60th minute to a round of applause, and immediately started causing problems for Sydney FC, who had seemed more comfortable in the first half. In the first two minutes on, he had some quick interplay and also a header on goal, which was cut out easily by Necevski. The A-league players likely thought they had seen the back of Burns a couple of seasons ago.
Three further goals for AEK Athens and a last minute header to the tall Sydney trialist, Thiam, saw out the match. Lavicka will give Thiam more time onfield in upcoming Festival of Football matches, and judge whether he is suited to Sydney FC.
"He's not very quick, but he is able to hold the ball. It is hard to say now".
A stand out for Sydney was Sebastian Ryall, who took charge quite well in the backline, despite the team overall being heavily tested defensively.
Lot's of changes were made by the home team, Grant, Foxe, Danning and Thaim all coming on in the second half. Alex Brosque did well up front against the classier opposition, but was today lacking his striking partner Mark Bridge, who at times seemed sluggish. Towards the end of the match, The Cove seemingly threw in the towel, and got out one of their larger pull-overs in what turned out to be a great show of support. While smaller in numbers for today's match, the supporter group were still as vocal as ever.
In the dying moments the Sky Blues string together some decent passes and show signs of last seasons championship winning flair, a good sign for the months ahead.
Match Details:
Sydney FC: 3 (BROSQUE 33’, 48’, THIAM 89’)
AEK Athens: 5 (PEREIRAR 30’, BLANCO 37’, LYBEROPULOS 60’, SCOCCO 74’, KAFES 77’)
Sydney FC Line-up: 2. Sebastian RYALL, 3. Stephan KELLER, 7. Brendan GAN (11. Kofi DANNING 45’), 12. Shannon COLE, 14. Alex BROSQUE (5. Hayden FOXE 82’), 15. Terry MCFLYNN, 19. Mark BRIDGE (9. Ibrahima THIAM 69’), 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk), 21. Scott JAMIESON, 22. Sung-Hwan BYUN, 28 Hiro MORIYASU (23. Rhyan GRANT 69’)
Substitutes Not Used: 1. Liam REDDY, 13. Antony GOLEC, 18. David GULLO, 25. Nathan SHERLOCK
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Goals: 14. Alex BROSQUE 33’, 48’, Ibrahima THIAM 89’
AEK Athens Line-up: 1. Pantelis KAFES, 4. Kostas MANOLAS (55. Traianos DELLAS 83’), 5. Daniel MAJSTOROVIC, 8. Sanel JAHIC, 9. Leonardo PEREIRAR (20. Luiz EDER 75’), 18. Ismael BLANCO (24. Nathan BURNS 62’), 19. Panagiotis LAGOS, 22. Ioannis ARAMPATZIS (gk), 32. Ignacio SCOCCO (14. Gregoris MAKOS 86’), 33. Nikos LYBEROPULOS, 90. Savvas GENTZOGLU.
Substitutes Not Used: 15. Nikos KARABELAS, 17. Antestis ARGIRIOU, 23. Diego SAJA (gk),
Yellow Cards: 4. Kostas MANOLAS 58’
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: 9. Leonardo PEREIRAR 30’, 18. Ismael BLANCO 37’, 33. Nikos LYBEROPULOS 60’, 32. Ignacio SCOCCO 74’, 1. Pantelis KAFES 77’)
Referee: Ben Williams
Crowd: 14,153 at the Sydney Football Stadium