Sydney FC kept their perfect record intact in the AFC Champions League Two with a 4-1 comeback win over Kaya FC in Manila, Philippines on Thursday night.
The reigning Philippines Football League champions stunned the Sky Blues with a goal in the third minute scored by Daizo Horikoshi but Joe Lolley’s equaliser just before the half-hour mark set Sydney on course to record a come-from-behind victory at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Former Celtic forward Patryk Klimala scored his first two competitive goals in Sydney colours in the second half, with fellow new signings Douglas Costa and Anas Ouahim providing the assists for the Polish striker.
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Second-half substitute Nathan Amanatidis made it 4-1 to the visitors with a stoppage-time strike, joining Klimala in bagging his first competitive goal for the Sky Blues.
The 4-1 win in Manila was Sydney’s second win in as many games in the 2024-25 ACL Two group stage following a 5-0 triumph over Eastern SC in September.
It was a good night for Sydney’s overseas recruits, with three of four goals in Manila scored and set up by foreign signings brought to the club in recent years.
Lolley, who is preparing for his third season at the Sky Blues, scored off Brazilian Leo Sena’s assist, while Klimala’s double came thanks to Costa and Ouahim who both joined the club with Klimala in the current off-season.
During the 10 Play telecast of Thursday’s ACL Two clash, commentator Simon Hill and co-commentator Daniel McBreen pondered what Sydney could produce in the Isuzu UTE A-League this season on the evidence of what their overseas imports have shown they’re capable of producing in the first two games of the ACL Two campaign.
“We often say with A-League clubs, if you get your foreigners right – and Sydney in fairness normally do – then you’ve got half a chance,” Hill said.
“Well of course,” replied McBreen.
“They’re the ones that are expected to bring the spark, that bit of excitement. And when you do get it right it can be the difference between silverware and wondering where that silverware is.”
Hill and McBreen were particularly impressed with Ouahim, who played 41 minutes in the second half after coming off the bench. An assist for Klimala was reward for effort as he made his presence felt in a bright substitute’s cameo.
“He’s looked sharp since he came on, he’s looked lively,” said McBreen.
“I don’t know what the injury concern was with Anas Ouahim,” added Hill. “I was just told that he was a bit of a doubt.
“But if this is him at less than 100% fit, then watch out the A-League in a couple of weeks.”
Sydney FC begin their Isuzu UTE A-League season against local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers at CommBank Stadium on October 19.
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Sydney FC came into their second ACL Two group game as hot favourites but the visitors came unstuck just three minutes into the contest when Daizo Horikoshi struck the first blow for Kaya FC.
Jovin Bedic created the chance for Horikoshi to put the hosts on top early doors. Having shrugged off the challenge of Sydney defender Hayden Matthews, Bedic took the ball past Corey Hollman and found Horikoshi in an acre of space in the box. Sydney keeper Andrew Redmayne should have done better from the resulting shot but let Horikoshi’s shot slip through his grasp as Kaya took a 1-0 lead.
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The visitors quickly set about finding an equaliser and Douglas Costa almost provided one from a free-kick that had Kaya keeper Walid Birrou beaten, but flashed wide of the top-right corner.
Sydney trailed until the 26th minute when a ferocious strike from Joe Lolley drew the Isuzu UTE A-League side back on level terms.
Found by Leo Sena on the edge of the box with his back to goal, Lolley’s first touch was a loose one but Simone Rota’s attempted clearance deflected off a teammate and back into the Englishman’s path, who rifled the ball into the roof of the net.
After the early scare, Sydney ended the first half in command of the continental tie, having enjoyed 72% of possession and taking eight shots to Kaya’s two – but only firing two of those eight on target.
The Sky Blues started the second half brightly but a cheap turnover of possession by Sena in Sydney’s defensive third almost led to a second goal for Kaya but Redmayne made amends for his early mistake with an important save to deny Shuto Komaki.
The Redmayne save was crucial as it came just minutes before the Sky Blues scored again to claim a 2-1 lead, and it was Costa’s sublime delivery off the left wing that led to Klimala’s first competitive goal in Sydney colours.
When it rains it pours for a striker on form, and having opened his account in a competitive fixture for Sydney FC, it took Klimala just four minutes to secure a brace – this time turning home a neat delivery from Ouahim off the right flank.
Klimala hit the post soon after his second as Sydney threatened to pull clear but Kaya kept searching for a way back – and almost found one through a long-range Eric Esso strike.
Redmayne made a strong save and recovered quickly to smother Akito Saito’s poked attempt off the rebound.
Kaya’s late momentum carried into extra time before Sydney found a fourth through Amanatidis who capped off a 4-1 win to the Sky Blues with a close-range finish.
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