Sydney FC have claimed their first point of the 2018 Asian Champions League following a thrilling 2-2 draw with Shanghai Shenhua in China on Wednesday night.
All four goals came in a pulsating first half with former Premier League striker Obafemi Martins firing Shanghai ahead before quick-fire goals to Luke Wilkshire and Alex Brosque put Sydney FC in the ascendancy.
But the hosts levelled the game five minutes before half-time through the boot of Colombian Fredy GuarÃn.
Both sides had chances in the second half with Graham Arnold’s men coming agonisingly close a number of times late in the game but it wasn’t to be.
The Sky Blues now turn their attention to the last Sydney Derby at Allianz Stadium against Western Sydney on Sunday.
MATCH REPORT: Read all the talking points from last night's thrilling game in Shanghai – https://t.co/rvY9LKREQ3 #SydneyIsSkyBlue #SHEvSYD #QuestToBeTheBest pic.twitter.com/uau6lkbNX7
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) February 21, 2018
GOALS
26’ GOAL FOR MARTINS – Shanghai break on the counter quickly to find Martins in the box as he finds the net despite the pressure from Calver.
28’ WILKSHIRE WITH IMMEDIATE REPLY – The Sky Blues hit right back with Wilkshire following up on Bobô’s strong headed effort to bang home from an acute angle at close range.
33’ BROSQUE GIVES IT SOME VIOLENCE – Mierzejewski plays it through the middle to Ninkovic who turns to play in Brosque. The captain shrugs off a challenge and belts home just inside the box.
39’ GOAL FOR VASQUEZ – Redmayne firmly tips away across but it lands directly at the feet of Shanghai’s Vasquez who hits it first time into a partially open net.
Group H standings after Matchday 2 of the #ACL2018! pic.twitter.com/XtHqpFnD80
— #ACLElite & #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) February 21, 2018
KEY MOMENTS
9’ OPEN HEADER MISSED MORENO – a quick free kick is taken before Sydney FC’s backline can get back in formation with Moreno missing the guilt edge chance right in front.
23’ BROSQUE HITS THE CROSSBAR – Brilliant build up play between Ninkovic and Zullo sets up the Sky Blues captain who comes agonisingly close with his glancing right foot effort onto the bar.
32’ BOBO GOES ALONE – Another swift counter for Sydney FC leads to the Brazilian bursting down the left. Cutting back on his right, he see’s his shot deflected out for a corner.
43’ TAKEN OFF THE FOOT OF BROSQUE – Ninkovic slips an inch perfect pass through to Brosque. As he’s about to pull the trigger, Shanghai manage to get a toe to the ball to prevent a near certain goal.
45+1’ SO CLOSE BOBÔ – Ninkovic hangs a ball up which takes a deflection and bobbles up for Bobô who flashes his first time effort just wide of the left hand post.
53’ BRILLANT BUILD UP FOR BOBÔ – Sharp interplay between Mierzejewski, Ninkovic and Brosque leads to a well-hit effort on goal from Bobô. Despite being onside by a metre, the lineman flags the striker.
59’ BROSQUE GOES CLOSE – Mierzejewski plays a world-class ball through to Brosque who rounds the keeper but can’t manage to find the net from the narrow angle.
66’ ZULLO OFF INJURED – Zullo pulls up short clutching his hamstring after a run and is forced off.
68’ FREE KICK EFFORT MIERZEJEWSKI – Adrian whips a stinging effort towards goal with the keeper only managing to parry it away for a corner.
71’ GREAT SAVE REDMAYNE – Vasques chinks left and right and unleashes a thunderous effort towards goal but Redmayne manages to push it away.
84’ STINGING SHOT MIERZEJEWSKI – The ball pops out for Mierzejewski who smashes an effort towards goal but the Shanghai keeper just does enough.
89’ SO CLOSE NINKOVIC – Mierzejewski yet again with a perfect ball this time to Ninkovic in the left channel but he can’t direct his effort on target, finding the side netting.
90+4 LAST CHANCE NINKOVIC – Mierzejewski swings the ball to the back post for Wilkshire who nods it down to Ninkovic but the midfield maestro hits the ball over the bar.
FT | Chances to win it in the second half but a thrilling match ends all square and we have our first points of the 2018 campaign on the board. #SydneyIsSkyBlue #QuestToBeTheBest #SHEvSYD pic.twitter.com/iflKkGxPrl
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) February 21, 2018