A-League reigning champion Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners have played out a draw in their pre-season friendly, the final score 2-2, with three of the four goals coming in the space of seven minutes.
A-League reigning champions Sydney FC and the Central Coast Mariners have played out a draw in their pre-season friendly, the final score 2-2, with three of the four goals coming in the space of seven minutes.
The Sky Blues took an early lead when Alex Brosque picked off a poor pass from Mariners keeper Matthew Ryan and found the net in the opening minute.
After a somewhat even first half barring the opening goal, and it was Adam Kwasnik that squared the ledger on the scoreboard when he tapped in off Sydney keeper Liam Reddy’s save from a Matt Simon shot on goal.
But the Sky Blues were not to be denied, and immediately responded through Mark Bridge less than a minute after the equaliser, slamming in a right footer from the Scott Jamieson cross.
Simon went one better from his blocked shot earlier, and found the back of the net in the 66th minute with a volley, and the scores remained as such until full time.
Jamieson combined well with Terry McFlynn through the middle for Sydney FC, while the height of the Mariners was ever-present at the back post in set plays, but Reddy was equally ready for the challenge.
The Sky Blues next face AEK Athens on July 25, in the build-up to their season opener against Melbourne Victory on August 7.
Sydney FC: 2 (BROSQUE 1-, BRIDGE 60-)
Central Coast Mariners: 2 (Adam Kwasnik 59-, 66-)
Sydney FC Line-up: 1.Liam REDDY, 5. Hayden FOXE, 7. Brendan GAN, 13. Antony GOLEC, 14. Alex BROSQUE (Mark BRIDGE 45-), 15. Terry MCFLYNN (c), 21. Scott JAMIESON (23. Rhyan GRANT 83-), 22. Sung-Hawn BYUN (Stephan KELLER 72-), 25. Nathan SHERLOCK, 26. Dimitri PETRATOS (11. Kofi DANNING 68-), 28. Hiro MORIYASU
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Ivan NECEVSKI (gk).
Yellow Cards: 27- Hayden FOXE, Antony GOLEC 78-
Red Cards: Nil
Goals: 14. Alex BROSQUE 1-, 19. Mark BRIDGE 60-
Central Coast Mariners Line-up: 1. Mathew RYAN, 3. Joshua ROSE, 5. Brad PORTER, 6. Patrick ZWAANSWIJK (Rostyn GRIFFITHS 45-), 7. John HUTCHINSON, 9. Nik MRDJA (Matt SIMON 45-), 11. Oliver BOZANIC (12. Michael LEWIS 68-), 14. Michael MCGLINCHEY (4. Pedj BOJIC 62-) 18. Alex WILKSONSON, 22. Mustafa AMINI, 23. Adam KWASNIK
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Nikodin MATIC (gk).
Yellow Cards: 45- Alex WILKINSON
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: 23. Adam KWASNIK 59-, 19. Matt SIMON 67-
