Sydney FC have shocked Suwon Bluewings and many of their critics, with a stunning 4-1 victory at the World Cup Stadium in Suwon. The victory keeps their Asian Champions League aspirations alive.
After match day one, the pack was out questioning the credentials of the sky blues. Subsequent matches produced improved performances yet still saw doubts around the quality of A-League clubs when up against Asian opposition.
Tonight might eventually put some of those doubts to bed with an aggregate 4-3 result against a Bluewings side that spends far more money and is much better resourced than Australian teams.
The difference had nothing to do with money, as Sydney took their chances clinically. Ninkovic, Brosque, Mierzejewski and Bobo pounced when greeted with the opportunities.
Suwon dominated play for the first sixty minutes of the game yet struggled to create clear chances. They pounded the Sydney defence which generally held firm, apart from a sloppy equaliser from Damjanovic only seconds after the opening goal from Milos Ninkovic.
Excellent strategy after the break that saw the visitors attempt to sit a little higher and resist the temptation to merely soak up the pressure of the locals, proved to be a masterstroke and Sydney began to create chances on the counter.
The late goal to Bobo could prove vital if Sydney are ale to win their final match, dependent on other results. They now stand a real chance of advancing to the next stage of the competition yet will need a little luck for that to be the case.
Well played tonight to Sydney and Suwon will be disappointed with their effort, on a night where they had a chance to guarantee advancement to the final sixteen.
Final score
Suwon Bluewings 1 Sydney FC 4
Sydney FC will meet the Suwon Bluewings with everything on the line in their return clash at Suwon World Cup Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 9pm (AEST).
Sydney FC face a pretty simple equation in this match. Nothing but a win will see them keep their chances alive in their quest to qualify for the knock-out stage of the Asian Champions League.
With just the two draws to show from their four matches, it has proven to be a rather underwhelming foray into Asia, yet there is still scope for a miracle.
The real issue tonight will be the fact Suwon can lock up a spot for themselves with a win; a draw would potentially be enough, yet a win will seal it decisively.
That should mean the Korean powerhouse plays their strongest side and result in immense pressure being placed on the visiting sky blues.
With their minds no doubt shifting to the pending local finals series in the A-League, Sydney will need to stay in the moment and the K-League form of the home side, where they sit mid-table, suggests they are beatable tonight.
The determining factor will be the Sydney defence which was poor the last time these teams met in the convincing victory for the Korean Club.
Prediction
Suwon look the winners on paper tonight, yet something tells me Sydney will perform well.
Suwon Bluewings 2 – Sydney FC 2.
Catch all the action on The Roar with our live coverage, starting at 9pm (AEST).
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Embarrassed. Completely missed this like it never happened. I blame the AFL obsessed Melbourne media for not keeping me informed :) Oh, well played SFC.
Nemesis
Guest
WSW were fortunate to not lose the 2nd leg of the ACL Final. Nothing fortunate about winning the Group. WSW qualified for the Knock Out Stage with a game to spare. Nothing at all like the current plight for SydFC, who need to win the final match and they must also rely on Suwon not winning their final match.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
They lost their first 2 games in the group stage and were fortunate to go on and win it from there. Well done Wanderers - great achievement, hopefully Sydney can progress further.
Nemesis
Guest
"I think Wanderers were in a similar position, when they were fortunate to get through the group stage and went on to win it." WSW finished top of their Group in the year they were Champions of Asia. Nothing fortunate about how they qualified for the Knock Out. The finished on Top. 3rd placed team was 5 points behind.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Champion team and team of Champions. We are Sydney FC! Its better, but still difficult to get through and they need more luck than skill and another good win in the final game. I think Wanderers were in a similar position, when they were fortunate to get through the group stage and went on to win it. Begs to ask the question why SFC lost those 2 games at home and did much better away. Wrong tactics maybe? Anyway, Sydney play Shenua at home and Antlers play Suwong at home, so a couple of home wins and SFC are through. Antlers guaranteed to get through regardless, so will they bring their best game against Suwong? All to play for for Sydney, but not the Antlers. Interesting final ties coming up.
Lionheart
Guest
Well played Sydney. I thought Suwon were going to take it, but there you go.
Mark
Guest
Quite amazing that they now have a great chance to go through. A lot will depend on how seriously Kashima treat the final game against Suwon when they are already through. But with Sydney’s big win, a draw won’t be good enough for Suwon. If only Victory could bag an ACL win away from home. Will tonight be 19th time lucky?
BrainsTrust
Guest
not a shock the use of fresh players, no Wilkshire and Bobo the walker.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sydney FC have shocked Suwon Bluewings and many of their critics, with a stunning 4-1 victory at the World Cup Stadium in Suwon. The victory keeps their Asian Champions League aspirations alive. After match day one, the pack was out questioning the credentials of the sky blues. Subsequent matches produced improved performances yet still saw doubts around the quality of A-League clubs when up against Asian opposition. Tonight might eventually put some of those doubts to bed with an aggregate 4-3 result against a Bluewings side that spends far more money and is much better resourced than Australian teams. The difference had nothing to do with money, as Sydney took their chances clinically. Ninkovic, Brosque, Mierzejewski and Bobo pounced when greeted with the opportunities. Suwon dominated play for the first sixty minutes of the game yet struggled to create clear chances. They pounded the Sydney defence which generally held firm, apart from a sloppy equaliser from Damjanovic only seconds after the opening goal from Milos Ninkovic. Excellent strategy after the break that saw the visitors attempt to sit a little higher and resist the temptation to merely soak up the pressure of the locals, proved to be a masterstroke and Sydney began to create chances on the counter. The late goal to Bobo could prove vital if Sydney are ale to win their final match, dependent on other results. They now stand a real chance of advancing to the next stage of the competition yet will need a little luck for that to be the case. Well played tonight to Sydney and Suwon will be disappointed with their effort, on a night where they had a chance to guarantee advancement to the final sixteen. Final Score Suwon Bluewings 1 Sydney FC 4
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the blog and the match report will follow in ten minutes.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time An amazing win for Sydney with a 4-1 victory over Suwon Bluewings.
Suwon : 1 Sydney: 4
Stuart Thomas
Expert
93' - Very proud here as a Sydney fan. A good performance.
Suwon : 1 Sydney: 4
Buddy
Guest
So what an earth has this campaign been all about? SFC look head and shoulders above Suwon where it matters - in front of goal and this performance was what I was expecting from the outset of round 1. I don’t get it great result and they are still alive!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 91' - Wow, doesn't that shake things up a little?
Suwon : 1 Sydney: 4
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Goal 91' - On cue, Sydney break and expose Suwon at the back and Bobo slams it home.
Suwon : 1 Sydney: 4
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' - Sydney's legs look good in the final moments and the home team will have some more work to do to move forward in this competition.
Suwon : 1 Sydney: 3
TK
Guest
What do you know about Bobo's back Stuart?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' - Suwon's attack nothing compared to late in the first half. Sydney deserved winners really.
Suwon : 1 Sydney: 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' - Bobo on and Mierzejewski off for Sydney. Nice little time waster here. Bobo's back an issue?
Suwon : 1 Sydney: 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' - Three minutes or normal time remaining.
Suwon : 1 Sydney: 3