Sutherland Sharks v Sydney FC – Match Report

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The Sutherland Sharks prevailed 2-1 over Sydney FC in an upset result as the amateurs got one over the professionals. The game was played in front of a packed Seymour Shaw stadium (a crowd of around 4,000-5,000 while others had to be turned away) which really shows the kind of interest that the A-League is now generating. Minus Popovic and Aloisi, it was a full strength Sydney team which lined up:

Bolton

Prentice – Fyfe – Timpano – Middleby

Corica – Colosimo – Musialik – McFlynn

Bridge – Brosque

It’s pre-season and this was only Sydney’s second game so there is no need to hit the alarm. However, scoring only one goal in 180 minutes against amateurs (although Blacktown Demons and Sutherland Sharks are certainly quality state teams) is concerning. So is the fact that Sydney isn’t creating as many chances as their opponents as well as their lack of dominance over the game generally. You’d expect that the professional outfit, even if they do not get the result, would dictate the tempo of the play as well as generally monopolise possession. This wasn’t the case against either the Sharks or the Demons.

Opening Stanza

In the opening 20 minutes, Sydney did have the lion’s share of possession and looked to have the game under control. They weren’t creating clear-cut chances but the retention of possession was generally good while the play was predominately in the Sharks half. As the half wore on, the Sharks began to get into the game and possession started to even out. Both teams were playing good football with the ball being kept on the beautiful artificial surface. Some passes from both teams would go astray, even some simple ones, but it was good to see that the Sharks didn’t resort to long ball tactics (the Demons approached their game with a similar mentality).

The Sharks went ahead from a corner. The first cross was cleared but it went straight back to the corner taker. The second cross was better and was met by Broadman. The well directed headed gave the keeper no chance. The goal came just as the Sharks were starting to get into the game after the initial period of dominance by Sydney. It was a classic example of making a team pay for their inefficient use of the ball in the final third in terms of both creating chances and finishing them.

Sydney got their leveller before half time and again, the goal came from a corner which was scrabbled in eventually by Timpano (I think). As Sydney didn’t create anything clear-cut in open play, it wasn’t surprising that their goal came from a set-piece. The main concern for Sydney was their inability to open up the Sutherland defence. It wasn’t as if Sutherland was putting ten men behind the ball. Sydney just really struggled in the final third although the build-up to that point was otherwise good.

Second Half

The second half was an even affair although it was Sutherland that was once again creating the better chances. Their second goal was a pearler although several Sydney defenders were also at fault. Hall, a player Sydney struggled to contain in the second half, picked up the ball just inside the Sydney defensive third. He turned and started to run at the defenders. He beat the initial challenge from Colosimo (I think) with ease through simple acceleration. The centre back, Fyfe, was also easily beaten. It wasn’t even an elaborate trick that left the Sydney defenders in his wake as it looked like he simply had too much pace and agility for the big defenders. The finish was calm and collected, taking the ball around the keeper in a one on one. This piece of play showed the value of having a player who is willing and capable of taking on their man, something that the A-League is still lacking.

I guess you have to keep in mind that the Sharks are in mid-season while Sydney is just starting their pre-season. Their touch is not quite up to scratch but that was to be expected. However, you also have to remember that the Shark players are not professionals. I was expecting that the professional training to eventually kick in but if anything, it was the Sharks that got stronger. Being 2-1 and on the verge of a surprise upset, you’d expect the Sharks to shut-up shop. But they kept coming and should have had a third. A poor defensive header by young Nikolas Tsattalios, who came on as a substitute, was intended for the keeper but the soft header allowed the striker to get onto the ball. The striker then tried to take the ball around the keeper. His first touch was fine but his second was heavy which allowed the defender to whip the ball away.

Some comments on individual performances and other observations:

• After such a long layoff, it was great just to see Timpano out on the park again and his mainly assured performance was also very encouraging.
• Sydney cannot hide its lack of genuine wide options. McFlynn was used on the flanks but he isn’t the solution. He can’t beat his man. In fact he doesn’t even have the tendency to take on his direct opponent while his crosses often cannon straight into the first defender.
• Corica looked lively although his touch was off. Given his age, I thought he might struggle with another season but his performance tonight suggests that he is fit and ready.
• The move of Middleby to right-back seems like the right move. He wasn’t effective as a winger last term but his attacking qualities are adequate for an overlapping full-back. However, like any converted winger, his sometimes does get caught out of position and the Sharks were able to find space behind Middleby when he was caught up the park.
• Musialik had some control over the centre of midfield, particularly when Sydney was on top, but it wasn’t the same level of control he exerted over the Jets. His passing was generally good, the defenders did play the ball to him as the first option, and you can see the team being built around him as a play-maker next to Colosimo as the water boy. Sydney just needs to find wide options to complement the talent in the centre of the park.
• While the Sharks used the width of the park, Sydney’s play was often overly congested in the centre. With McFlynn, Corica, Colosimo and Musialik all being at home in this area of the pitch, McFlynn and Corica, who should have been wide, often drift into the centre and this causes the midfielders to deny each other space. This again relates back to the lack of genuine wide players that hug the touchline. I think the positive aspects of Sydney’s play in the centre of the park will be enhanced when the midfield becomes more balanced with the addition of wingers. This will stretch the opposition defence and create room for the likes of Musialik and Corica.
• The centre of defence could be lacking a bit of pace. The Sharks exposed this several times during the game and this weakness partially caused the second goal.

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