Sydney FC exit Asian Champions League despite 1-0 win over Lion City | Asian Champions League
Sydney FC have missed the chance to net a $4m windfall and the club’s first piece of Asian silverware after crashing out of Asian Champions League Two at the hands of Lion City Sailors.
The Singaporean outfit had taken a 2-0 lead from the semi-final first leg and advanced to the final despite falling to a 1-0 defeat (2-1 win on aggregate) in the second leg at Allianz Stadium on Wednesday.
Sydney scored through Joe Lolley in the 85th minute but his goal came too late as Lion City, who boast former Socceroos defender Bailey Wright among their ranks, booked their ticket to next month’s final where they will play Emirati side Sharjah.
For Sydney this will feel like a major missed opportunity.
The club has never won a trophy in Asia and knocking over Lion City would have given Ufuk Talay’s side hosting rights for the final where the winners pocket close to $4m in prize money.
With no away goal rule in force, Sydney entered Wednesday night’s clash in front of 10,589 fans knowing all they needed to do was find two goals inside 90 minutes without conceding to send the game to extra time.
Talay’s side had the biggest share of possession but were unable to make their dominance count where it mattered.
Twice throughout the first half, Sydney found the back of the net with Jordan Courtney-Perkins and Rhyan Grant both wheeling away in celebration.
But on both occasions the goals were ruled out for offside.
Patryk Klimala and Douglas Costa both fluffed at golden chances in the second half while goal machine Adrian Segecic was kept relatively quiet.
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Lolley finally got the Sky Blues on the board with five minutes left, the English winger squeezing a low-driven shot past the reach of goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud to give Sydney hope.
The home side threw everything forward in search of an equaliser but Lion City held firm.
With their Asian odyssey now over, Sydney’s attention returns to the A-League Men and solidifying their hopes of a top-six finish as they are far from assured with three rounds left to play.
Sixth-placed Sydney are just one point ahead of Adelaide and two points ahead of Macarthur, who both have more favourable draws to see out the season.
