Sydney FC secured back-to-back wins in Italy by defeating a full strength Serie C side Vicenza Calcio 3-1 at the Stadio Comunale Picchi in Jesolo overnight.
Sydney FC secured back-to-back wins in Italy by defeating a full strength Serie C side Vicenza Calcio 3-1 at the Stadio Comunale Picchi in Jesolo overnight.
Goals to Joel Chianese, Sebastian Ryall and Mitch Malia gave the Sky Blues a well deserved victory against a Vicenza team that made just two changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Serie B side Varese in the first round of the Coppa Italia last weekend.
Sydney FC started strongly and played with composure from the outset against Vicenza with both teams having half chances in the opening 10 minutes without any real threats.
Sydney FC custodian Ivan Necevski was the first goalkeeper called into action when he saved low from striker Simone Tiribocchi in the 14th minute but it was the Sky Blues who wrestled the momentum and controlled possession and the tempo of the game with the Sky Blues coming close via Corey Gameiro and Joel Chianese midway through the first half.
The goal Sydney FC deserved came in the 33rd minute when Chianese finished of a neat move after the Sky Blues held possession, switched the ball and attacked down the left. Corey Gameiro was put through with a neat reverse pass from Nick Carle, he rounded the keeper and swept the ball across goal for Chianese to slide home the opening goal.
At that stage Sydney FC were in complete control and they doubled their lead in the 40th minute when Ryall bobbed up at the far post from an Alessandro Del Piero corner to volley the ball into the back of the net to send the teams to the half time break at 2-0.
Coach Frank Farina made two changes at half time bringing on Italian trialists Andrea Migliorini and Vincenzo Italiano for Brett Emerton and Nick Carle.
Sydney FC fell behind soon after the break when Vicenza converted a penalty in the 47th minute after Tiago Calvano was adjudged to have brought down Tiribocchi and the Sky Blues lost their rhythm.
Farina made a number of further substitutions midway through the second half, including bringing D el Piero from the field in the 62nd minute to a rousing reception from the 3,000 strong crowd.
Vicenza enjoyed the majority of possession in the 20 minutes after the break and Necesvki made two brilliant saves to keep the Sky Blues in front before Sydney FC regained their composure.
The Sky Blues pushed hard in the final 20 minutes and substitute Mallia settled the result with a well taken strike in the 85th minute.
Sydney FC-s next match is against A.S. Cittadella tomorrow afternoon at the Stadio Comunale Picchi, Jesolo. Kick off is 6pm (2am Thursday Sydney time).
Sydney FC 3 (Chianese 33, Ryall 40, Mallia 85) d Vicenza 1 (Coser 47)
Stadio Comunale Picchi, Jesolo
Crowd: 3,031
Sydney FC team: Vedran JANJETOVIC, Sebastian RYALL (Jacob TRATT 52), Matt JURMAN, Tiago CALVANO, Marc WARREN, Brett EMERTON (Vincenzo ITALIANO 46), Nick CARLE (Andrea MIGLIORINI 46), Ali ABBAS, Alessandro DEL PIERO (Vedran NIKSIC 62), Corey GAMEIRO (Mitch MALLIA 63), Joel CHIANESE.
