Sunday, September 5, 2010

Sydney FC in dire straits at foot of A-League ladder


Reigning A-League champions Sydney FC remain rock bottom on the ladder after suffering a humiliating 3-1 loss at home to Adelaide United, last year’s woodenspooners, at the Sydney Football Stadium last night before their lowest-ever attendance of just 7,558.


The win puts Adelaide on top of the ladder.


Sergio Van Dijk netted twice, his first league goals for Adelaide since signing from Brisbane Roar. The other goal came from the excellent Mathew Leckie.


Van Dijk powered Adelaide into the lead in the 9th minute with a free-kick from the right, awarded for Scott Jamieson’s foul on Leckie.


Nicky Carle had a chance for Sydney in the 11th minute when he picked up a pass from Mark Bridge and weaved his way past a couple of defenders, but his shot flew wide.


Leckie was in fine form and he forced a good save from Liam Reddy in the 14th minute.


In the 18th minute, Sydney’s Bridge headed over the bar as the home side fought to get back on level terms.


Adelaide’s Adam Hughes had a header well saved by Reddy in the 21st minute and, within seconds, Hughes picked up his third yellow card of the season.


In the 32nd minute, Paul Reid picked out Leckie wide on the right with an inviting pass and he scored with a low shot inside the far post to make it 2-0 for the visitors.


It was 3-0 in the 53rd minute when Marcos Flores released Leckie down the right and his shot was only parried by Reddy. Van Dijk was the first to react and he turned sharply and knocked the ball into the net from the edge of the 6-yard box.


Sydney brought on their new Brazilian signing, Bruno Cazarine, in the 57th minute in place of Jamieson, but he showed little in the next half-hour.


Rather, it was Stephan Keller who stole the show for the home side with his attacking forays from defence.


In the 58th minute, he headed home Byun Sung-Hwan’s free-kick from wide on the right to reduce the arrears.


Keller missed with another header, again from a free-kick, towards the end, but the home side were unable to make up the leeway.


Sydney are last and on 2 points, together with Newcastle Jets and Gold Coast United, while Adelaide top the standings on 11 points, 3 points ahead of second-placed Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners.

No comments: