Sydney FC’s Foxtel National Youth League squad played out a five goal thriller against Melbourne Victory losing 3-2 at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday.
The Sky Blues got off to a great start and opened the scoring after just three minutes when captain Jacob Tratt was on the end of a corner kick from Anthony Tomelic to head home for a 1-0 lead.
The joy was short lived however, as four minutes later defender Themba Muata-Marlow went to ground in a tackle and was adjudged to have fouled the Victory winger in the penalty area forcing the referee to point to the spot with Andrew Nabbout stepping up to convert and draw the scores level at 1-1 which both sides took to the break.
The second half saw Sydney FC dominate proceedings and play possession based football with Hagi Gligor, Peter Triantis and Tomelic controlling the centre of the park.
A series of shots on goal by the Sky Blues had Victory on the back foot and the pressure eventually told when a Tomelic bullet was too hot to handle for keeper Laurence Thomas.
Gligor was first to react to Thomas’ parry and slammed the loose ball into the roof of the net to push Sydney out to a 2-1 lead.
James Andrew almost extended the lead moments later when he cut to the goal line and saw his shot cannon off the base of the post to safety.
A Melbourne Victory free kick in the 74th minute saw the scores levelled as Nabbout was found unmarked on the back post and he volleyed his shot into the net to make it 2-2.
A few minutes later the Sydney FC defence was dispossessed in their back third and the error was punished as George Howard was on hand to slot home the winner for Melbourne Victory 3-2.
Steve Corica’s boys will have to dust themselves off as they face another difficult road trip when they head to Queensland on Sunday, 30th November to take on Brisbane Roar, kick off 4.00pm (AEDT).
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