Sydney FC fall short of stunning ACL boilover

Sydney FC’s ACL is still very much alive after they nearly caused a boilover against Chinese powerhouse Shanghai SIPG.

Sydney FC’s Adam Le Fondre celebrates his goal from the penalty spot against Shanghai SIPG at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Sydney FC’s Asian Champions League campaign is still very much alive, but it could have been so much healthier after the A-League side almost caused a boilover against Chinese powerhouse Shanghai SIPG at Jubilee Stadium.

Having taken a 3-2 lead with six minutes left and on the verge of one of their greatest night’s in the competition, the Sky Blues were left to rue one defensive lapse too many with the Chinese equalising a minute from fulltime to escape with a 3-3 draw in front of a crowd of 7154.

It was a cruel result for Sydney FC who matched it all the way with a side that had three Brazilian superstars worth a total of $200 million. This was a superbly entertaining game that gave the crowd plenty to enthuse about during the 90 minutes.

In the end, the class of Oscar and Elkeson brought about Sydney’s undoing. It was Oscar, who earns a reported $700,000 a week, who was responsible for the final goal, capitalising on a mistake before feeding Elkeson to tie up the game.

Oscar also a had a hand in the goal that saw his side cancel out Siem de Jong’s third minute opener.

The first half produced some of the best football and entertainment one would ever wish. Sydney regained the lead through an Adam le Fondre penalty on 30 minutes before Brazilian Hulk set up the 2-2 equaliser 11 minutes later.

Sydney looked the side more likely to score in the second half and they did when substitute Alex Brosque bundled the ball into the net in the 86th minute before Elkeson struck.

Sydney still remain winless after three games in the group stage, but they have two points from two draws and remain within striking distance of getting out of the group stage for only the second time in their history.

Given the Sky Blues have a derby against Western Sydney on Saturday, it was no surprise Corica made three changes to the side that beat Melbourne Victory four days earlier with Reza Ghoochannejhad, de Jong and Danny De Silva coming into the side.

If anyone thought the changes might disrupt the Sydney side then they were quickly dispelled as the home side started on the best possible note with a goal just three minutes into the game.

The Chinese failed to clear the ball in defence and it fell for de Jong whose left foot shot on the turn took a wicked deflection to wrong foot the goalkeeper.

Enlivened by the goal, Sydney grew in confidence and looked enterprising going forward. The put some questions to the Shanghai defence. Still, the visitors showed some glimpses of their capabilities going forward, especially through Oscar, who was operating down the left side and causing some problems with his class and skill.

The Brazilian should have equalised on 18 minutes when he raced on to a ball over the top of the defence that left him one on one with the advancing goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne. Fortunately Alex Wilkinson did enough to put him off with his attempted chip sailing harmlessly over the goal.

But the former Chelsea star made up for it 10 minutes later when he provided a superb cross that was met by Lyu Wenjun’s equally outstanding header that found the bottom right hand corner of the net to level the scores.

To their credit, both sides pushed forward at every opportunity providing for a wonderful spectacle that thrilled the fans.

With Shanghai starting to find their legs, Sydney struck against the run of play thanks to a 30th minute penalty after He Guan was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

Le Fondre, who is deadly from the spot, converted in typical, confident style by smashing his spot kick down the middle and into the roof of the net to make it 2-1. But the lead lasted just six minutes.