Sydney FC falls but wins fans all over the world
Tuesday, 13 December, 2005 - 2:18AM
Sydney FC well and truly arrived on the world stage tonight but left Nagoya unlucky losers after outplaying Deportivo Saprissa but falling 1-0 in a match that showed Australian football belonged in the elite company of international football.
As well as proving that Sydney FC, and indeed the Hyundai A-League, was worthy of respect on a global stage, several of the Sydney FC players stood tall with stellar performances.
David Carney tore Deportivo Saprissa to pieces in the first half, Sasho Petrovski returned to the form that saw him win a Socceroo call up, Clint Bolton made three world class stage, two of which came when Sydney FC was pushing for a late equalizer, and young defender Mark Milligan proved his star is certainly on the rise.
While those four Australians were outstanding, Dwight Yorke and Kazuyoshi Miura proved their international status with dominant performances.
Sydney FC did everything but score in the first half; dominating possession, creating chances, pressuring the experienced Costa Ricans into error and holding firm in defence. Unfortunately the luck was not with Sydney and they failed to turn dominance into goals.
Ultimately that was what cost them a dream shot at European Champions Liverpool in the semi finals.
Immediately after the half time break, Deportivo Saprissa caught Sydney FC napping and Christian Bolanos scored what was to be the winning goal in the 47th minute by bringing down a searching long ball with his chest and slotting the ball home.
The goal came during the only 15 minute period when Sydney FC looked rattled and Costa Rica controlled proceedings. Even when defender Alvin Ceccoli was controversially sent off in the 81st minute, it was the Australians that looked most likely to score.
Ceccoli was shown a straight red card following some play-acting by the experienced Deportivo Saprissa goalkeeper Jose Porras, who theatrically rolled on the ground after Ceccoli had contested a free ball in the penalty area.
“I feel disappointed with what happened,” Ceccoli said. “I feel as though I have been robbed of finishing the match and playing in the next game without doing anything wrong. If I had hit him I would have copped it on the chin but I don’t think there was anything in it.”
When pressed, Littbarski bit his tongue before quipping: “I think the goalkeeper got up pretty quickly and looked okay straight after.”
It was a harsh finish to the match, and the tournament, for Ceccoli, who had played marvelously well in defence, as he has throughout the A-League.
As indicated yesterday, Sydney FC Coach Pierre Littbarski thrust Andrew Packer into the side in place of the injured Jacob Timpano with Milligan moving into the centre of defence alongside Iain Fyfe.
Littbarski stated he wanted his side to attack Deportivo Saprissa and he was true to his words. Kazu and Petrovski combined brilliantly up front and with Yorke causing trouble in the middle of the park Sydney FC started brightly.
Carney, Yorke and Kazu all had shots on goal within the first five minutes while Bolton was called upon to make a good save from a deflected shot early on.
It was Sydney FC that dominated the tempo of the match and had a great advantage in possession in the first half. However, it was straight after the break that Sydney FC conceded the goal.
Unfortunately, as well as Sydney FC played, the goal was a lesson in the need to stay switched on for 90 minutes at this level. While football-wise, Sydney FC showed they belonged, it was a moment of naivety that cost them. But, that is a lesson that is learned over time.
Sydney FC went into the match hoping for a shot at Liverpool but more than anything else they were anxiously awaiting the verdict on their status in world football at club level. The Europeans and South Americans remain the yard sticks but there is no doubt they pulled alongside the next line, the Central Americans.
“It was disappointing to play so well and come so close but not come away with the win,” said Sydney FC midfielder Steve Corica. “I thought we showed tonight that we belong on this stage and this level of football. In some ways it hurts even more because we know we should have won the game.”
His sentiments were backed up by Littbarski, who was struggling with the emotions of disappointment, frustration and pride as he faced a 100-strong media contingent after the match.
“I think tonight we showed we are as good a team as Deportivo (Saprissa) and we deserve to be at this level,” he said. “I think the two teams were pretty equal, both had some chances, but the difference was they scored a chance with a well taken finish.
“We are proud of what we did and we are happy with the way we represented Sydney FC and Australia. After tonight, we will be determined to re-group and finish with a win in the next match.”
Sydney FC will now take on African Champions Al Ahly in Tokyo on Friday (December 16) in the play off for 5th and 6th place and any thoughts of a dead rubber are buried under the extra $800,000 prizemoney that is on offer for winning that match.
Deportivo Saprissa 1 (Christian Balanos 47) d Sydney FC 0
