Sydney FC suffered their first loss in the AFC Champions League Two this season, going down 2-1 away to J1 League leaders Sanfrecce Hiroshima in a captivating contest on matchday three in Japan.
Sanfrecce opened the scoring in the 20th minute care of a stunning volley from winger Shunki Higashi, whose left-footed strike from inside the box flew into the bottom corner, giving Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne no chance on Wednesday night.
Sydney dominated possession of the ball and almost levelled on the stroke of half-time through Rhyan Grant but the away side then doubled their advantage in the second half through substitute Pieros Sotiriou.
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The away side did get the goal they deserved in the 90th minute when substitutes Max Burgess and Adrian Segecic combined to good effect with the latter slotting the ball home from the edge of the area to set up a grandstand finish.
However the home side would ultimately inflict Sydney’s first defeat of this ACL Two campaign; a result which leaves them sat in second place in Group E, three points behind their Japanese opponents who now have three wins from their opening three games.
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The early flow of the game was stunted in just the fourth minute with Hiroshima defender Hayato Araki stretchered from the field, unable to continue after landing awkwardly following a collision with Patryk Klimala.
The Sky Blues had a brilliant chance to open the scoring in just the 12th minute but defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins saw his shot saved from close range after some beautiful work in the build up from Douglas Costa.
The deadlock would be broken soon after care of a sumptuous volley from Higashi, who thumped home a left-footed effort from inside the box after connecting perfectly with Naoto Arai’s deep cross.
The home side came close to doubling their lead less than two minutes later but striker Goncalo Paciencia blazed his shot over the bar after yet more good work from Arai down the right.
The Sky Blues created several dangerous moments and enjoyed more than 60% of possession but the J1 League leaders had another good chance to double their lead in the 34th minute; Mutsuki Kato dragging his shot wide of the far post after the away side were caught high up the field.
Captain Grant then had two glorious chances to score the equaliser on the stroke of half-time, the second of which saw him hit the post from a metre out after Costa had delivered two pin-point whipped crosses into the box.
Despite starting the second half brightly Sydney FC found themselves two-nil down in the 55th minute.
A heavy touch on the edge of his own box from Hayden Matthews was pounced upon by Tolgay Arslan, with the former Isuzu UTE A-League star taking two touches before squaring the ball for half-time substitute Sotiriou to poke the ball home.
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Tempers flared in the second half as Arslan squared up to Sydney FC midfielder Leo Sena; the pair handed a yellow card each after a scuffle – instigated by Arslan – ensued in the middle of the park.
With the Sky Blues now desperately searching for a way into the contest bigger gaps were appearing at the back; goalkeeper Redmayne forced into a brilliant point-blank save to prevent the home side from scoring a third in the 79th minute.
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Englishman Joe Lolley came close to pulling one back in the 85th minute but his left-footed effort from a free-kick flew agonisingly past the post before the Sky Blues finally got the goal they deserved.
Fed by Anthony Caceres, substitute Burgess dribbled his way into the box before picking out fellow sub Segecic on the edge of the area, who slotted the ball beyond the keeper to make it 2-1.
Both Lolley and Segecic then forced the home keeper into smart saves deep into injury time but the home side held on for the win; a result which sets up a mouthwatering contest for when these two side meet again on November 7.
Sydney FC now turn their attention back to the Isuzu UTE A-League when they take on Auckland FC at Go Media Stadium on Sunday.
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