Sydney FC’s Brazilian winger Douglas Costa battling a ‘tight hamstring’

Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay has an important selection decision to make this weekend after his prized import Douglas Costa went off with a hamstring problem in the Sky Blues’ AFC Champions League Two loss in Japan.

Star import Douglas Costa has sent a scare through the Sydney FC camp after being replaced because of a hamstring problem in the Sky Blues’ 2-1 AFC Champions League Two loss to Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Brazilian winger Costa lasted only 57 minutes in Wednesday night’s clash in Hiroshima before being taken off by cautious Sydney coach Ufuk Talay.

“We changed Douglas because he was feeling his hamstring – it was a little bit tight,” Talay said.

“It was also a tactical change to put on some fresh legs because we were chasing the game.”

Another reason for the change was to give Costa the best possible chance of playing for the Sky Blues in Sunday’s A-League clash against Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium.

“We also have a game on Sunday that we need to win in the competition,” Talay said.

Talay and his men left Japan on Thursday for Auckland on a journey that will include a stop in Hong Kong.

It’s part of a mammoth week of travel for the Sky Blues, who left Sydney last Sunday night and would have covered 16,877km on their arrival in Auckland on Friday.

Talay fielded the same starting side on Wednesday night that played from the opening whistle in last Saturday’s 2-1 derby win over the Wanderers.

Douglas Costa was replaced with a ‘tight hamstring’ in Sydney FC’s loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Costa twice presented his side with good opportunities to score with dangerous left-footed crosses whipped into Sanfrecce’s penalty-area, but neither were taken advantage of.

Sydney also had a great chance to go ahead in the 12th minute, but defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins’ shot was saved by Sanfrecce goalkeeper Keisuke Osako.

The hosts were more clinical, taking the lead after 20 minutes courtesy of a brilliant volley from winger Shunki Higashi before doubling their advantage in the second-half with a goal from substitute Pieros Sotiriou after an error from Sydney centre-back Hayden Matthews.

The visitors ensured it was a tense finish when substitute Adrian Segecic scored in stoppage-time but Sanfrecce held on to move three points clear of Sydney at the top of the Group E table.

“I’m disappointed we lost the game but overall very proud of the performance of the boys,” Talay said.

“I thought it was a very good display of football and the brand that we can play.

“We conceded the first goal from a counter (attack) and a good volley from the back post.

“The second one was a mistake from us, but overall with the ball we had some really good moments and we could have scored early in the first-half.

“I’m just disappointed for the boys that they didn’t get something from the game.”

Originally published as Sydney FC’s Brazilian winger Douglas Costa battling a ‘tight hamstring’