Sydney FC blow lead against Korean giants

Continental competition is still a challenge that Sydney FC have to work out how to navigate, after learning anew how they can be punished at the top level.

Sydney FC Adam Le Fondre celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC at Jubilee Stadium

Continental competition is still a challenge that Sydney FC have to work out how to navigate, after learning anew how they can be punished at the top level.

The Sky Blues were held to a 2-2 draw at Jubilee Stadium by Jeonbuk Motors in the Asian Champions League despite taking the lead 15 minutes from the end, at a point when the Korean side were reduced to 10 men.

Conceding an equaliser with 90 seconds to go was a bitter pill for Sydney to swallow, coming on the back of their 4-0 loss to Yokohama in the opening game of the group.

Trent Buhagiar’s solo effort had cancelled out Jeonbuk’s second-half strike, and Adam Le Fondre’s penalty looked enough for Sydney’s first Asian win in nine games. But with seconds to go, Murilo Henrique’s shot hit a post and Han Kyo Won drove home the vital second goal to earn a point.

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At times the Korean class was obvious, and Jeonbuk missed at least two rolled gold chances after they had scored first, the sort where to miss was the more difficult option. Their goal though was a little fortunate, Hong Jeongho’s flick on from a corner turned into his own net by Luke Brattan.

With Kosta Barbarouses rested, and Milos Ninkovic reserved for A-League duties only, Sydney were tentative for much of the first hour.

Then Buhagiar fastened on to a mistake, left Jeonbuk captain Choi Bokyung on his backside and tucked away the equaliser.

If Sydney’s second goal winner had a touch of fortune in the award of a penalty, Sydney deserved it for their determination to keep hunting for a winner.

They broke quickly on 74 minutes, switching play to the left where Buhagiar took the ball down and squared it for Adam Le Fondre to lay off to Rhyan Grant.

The fullback’s shot hit the tumbling figure of Bokyung, and the Omani referee saw it as a handball, rather harshly. The penalty was given, Bokyung sent off and Le Fondre tucked away the spotkick.

It adds to a sticky period for the Sky Blues, still miles ahead at the top of the A-League but now boasting only one win in four games.