Ange Postecoglou’s Yokohama F. Marinos beat Sydney FC 4-0
Sydney FC are 10 points clear at the top of the A-League but they were torn apart by Ange Postecoglou’s Japanese side in the Asian Champions League.
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The master put the apprentices to the sword, and Sydney FC have been left reeling from an Asian Champions League hammering.
The Sky Blues went down 4-0 to Ange Postecoglou’s buccaneering Yokaham F. Marinos side, the gulf between the two sides even wider than the scoreline.
It was a thrilling, breathtaking demonstration of how Yokahama are soaring on the back of Postecoglou’s vision, ready to sweep across Asia in the same way they dominated the J-League last season.
All night Sydney were chasing shadows, scarecely able to manufacture a chance of their own and cut apart by wave upon wave of attacking.
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The theory of how Yokahama would play was one thing, obvious to a bunch of Sydney players who have worked under Postecoglou at various points. But stopping it? That was another matter, and one that Sydney simply couldn’t comprehend.
By the time Yokahama took the lead in the 12th minute, Sydney’s goal was already under siege and Steve Corica’s side was essentially hanging on, hoping the storm would pass.
It didn’t. Ado Onaiwu had a touch of fortune when his fierce shot deflected from Alex Wilkinson’s boot and looped past Andrew Redmayne, but it was a downpayment on the riches to follow.
The only surprise was the fact that the second goal didn’t come until the 31st minute, Sydney’s defence parting to allow Teruhito Nakagawa to speed away and lob Redmayne with impudence.
Precisely one minute later he had another as Sydney’s defending collapsed completely – Nakagawa left utterly alone on the penalty spot and able to pick his spot.
The movement and technique of Yokahama’s players is a joy to behold, each of them happy to receive the ball in the tightest spot and confident to recycle it and move the point of every attack in a blur.
The Brazilian Marcos Junior seemed to be having most fun, and it was his low cross that Onaiwu turned in for the fourth. But the goal was a thrilling amalgam of crossfield pass, cute backheel and unselfish cross to sum up the night.
The team that stands 10 points clear at the top of the A-League had no answers, and could take solace only from the fact that they managed to constrain the scoreline to four.
Footballers love to “take the positives” from the heaviest defeat but here there were really none. This was always going to be Sydney’s toughest trip in the ACL, but it’s doubtful they ever feared it would be quite so humbling.
YOKOHAMA F MARINOS 4 (Ado Onaiwu 12, 51, Teruhito Nakagawa 31, 33) SYDNEY FC 0 at Nissan Stadium. Referee: Mooud Bonyadifard