Sydney FC 0 def by. Paris St. Germain 3 (Mbappe 37’, Cavani 43’, Guclu 89’)
Sydney FC has played out a 3-0 pre-season friendly loss to French Ligue 1 Champions Paris St. Germain in trying conditions over in Suzhou, China.
Moments That Mattered:
- Redmayne Save – 12’ – Cavani’s slight back heel touch almost sneaks the ball into the far post but Redmayne gets fingertips to deny the Uruguayan star.
- Herrera Shot – 34’ – Ball is half cleared to just beyond the edge of the box for the PSG midfielder to send a stinging snap shot towards goal that goes just wide.
- Ninkovic Disallowed Goal – 36’ – Baumjohann’s pinpoint cross finds Grant to head across goal for Ninkovic to tap in. Unfortunately, Grant is adjudged to be offside in build up.
- Mbappe Goal – 37’ – The young World Cup winner plays a one-two before banging home at the near post with a thunderous effort.
- Cavani Goal – 43’ – Cavani picks up the crumbs of good work from Sarabia and Draxler, volleying past Redmayne who had just produced a solid save.
- Le Fondre Shot – 45’ – Caceres threads the needle for Alfie to spring PSG’s defence but his shot from just inside the box fizzes past the left-hand post.
- Redmayne Save – 55’ – Redders dives strong to his right to deny PSG youth prospect Aouchiche.
- Brattan Shot – 78’ – Ivanovic tees up new Sky Blue Brattan to send a thumping effort towards goal that is just palmed away by Trapp. Calls for penalty from the resultant Barbarouses cross are denied.
- Guclu Goal – 89’ – A neat back heel and leaves Redmayne helpless and PSG making it three on the night.
The Australian and French Champions produced a good showing in the first stanza of the contest with the game coming alive shortly after the first drinks break of the sweltering Suzhou night.
The Sky Blues sprung the Parisian defence open on a number of occasions and looked to have taken the lead through captain on the night Ninkovic, until Grant was adjudged to have been offside in the build up.
PSG showed their world class best shortly after as Golden Boy and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a thunderous effort past Redmayne.
Another world-class player would have his name on the scoresheet shortly after as Cavani doubled ‘Les Parisiens’ lead with a volleyed effort.
Paris made wholesale changes to their line up in the second half with a number of youth prospects keen to impress. These fresh legs helped the Parisians against a Sydney FC plagued by sickness that ruled several names out.
PSG wrapped up the night with a late goal for youngster Guclu from aback heel to leave Redmayne helpless.
A solid effort from Corica’s men against one of the best footballing sides in the world in a case of a score line not telling the true nature of the contest.
Sydney FC now turn their attention to their first competitive match of the 2019/20 season as they take on Brisbane Roar in the FFA Cup at Leichhardt Stadium on Wednesday night.
What they said:
Steve Corica: “Tonight we did hurt them a few times with penetrating passes and forward runs in behind the defence.
“I think our attack was quite good, we lacked scoring goals but we created the chances and I was pleased that we created the chances.
“Defensively they’re a good team and they work hard for each other. You can see they’re quality and they’ve got quality all over the park.”
Rhyan Grant: “For me personally it’s a great experience to play against one of the biggest clubs in the world and some of the best players in the world.
“As a club it’s great to come to a competition like this and put Sydney FC on the world stage and show what we can do.”
Sydney FC: 1. Andrew REDMAYNE (GK), 5. Alex BAUMJOHANN (18. Luke IVANOVIC 66’), 6. Ryan McGOWAN, 8. Paulo RETRE (26. Luke BRATTAN 58’), 9. Adam Le FONDRE (27. Jordan SWIBEL 83’), 10. Milos NINKOVIC (25. Ryan TEAGUE 79’), 11. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 16. Joel KING, 17. Anthony CACERES, 23. Rhyan GRANT, 29. Harry Van Der SAAG.
Subs Not Used: 20. Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (GK).
Yellow Cards: 29. Harry Van Der SAAG – 19’
Red Cards: None.
Paris St. Germain: 1. Kevin TRAPP (GK), 4. Jan THILO KEHRER (36. Loic Mbe SOH 45’), 7. Kylian MBAPPE (41. Isaac Hemans ARDAY 45’), 9. Edison CAVANI (42. Jese RODRIGUEZ 45’), 12. Thomas MEUNIER (31. Colin DAGBA 45’), 14. Juan BERNAT (25. Mitchel BAKKER 45’), 19. Pablo SARABIA (39. Metehan GUCLU 45’), 21. Ander HERRERA (44. Azzeddine TOUFIQUI 45’), 22. Abou-Lakhad DIALLO (20. Layvin KURZAWA 45’), 23. Julian DRAXLER (37. Arthur ZAGRE 45’), 35. Nianzou Tanguy KOUASSI (38. Adil AOUCHICHE 45’).
Subs not used: 16. Alphonse AREOLA (GK), 30. Marcin BULKA (GK), 40. Arissone INNOCENT (GK), 34. Stanley NSKOI.
Yellow Cards: 35. Nianzou Tanguy KOUASSI – 30’
Red Cards: None.
Ground: Suzhou China
Referee: Ma Ning
