2025-02-22, 01:27 PM - Word count: 736
Off the back of a 4-2 victory over Victoria Falls, Sydney City were immediately pegged down a notch in a humbling 2-1 defeat to Atletico Medellin. But then, despite hoping to use this as fuel to bounce back, Sydney dropped points once again against Stockholm in a 2-2 draw -- now sitting at a disappointing sixth place in the league table. But why? Where had all the momentum from the Victoria game gone? How did the players perform? Let's take a look.
KIM MINJEONG
Leading the line for Sydney as usual, Kim Mineong was Sydney's best performer against Medellin, supplying a inch-perfect cross to Louis Ashworth who finished from close range. Kim also chipped in with two key passes and a clear-cut chance created, with an 89% pass completion rate. His creativity was awarded with a 7.8 match rating by analysts. However, he was not at his clinical best -- only putting half of his shots on target. This was reflected in the Stockholm game, with no shots on target and just the one key pass.
ANDRE CAETANO
The Sydney captain was not at his best versus Medellin, only receiving a 6.4 rating, however he picked up the pace against Stockholm. Caetano's performance saw three key passes, two big chances created, and a low, accurate cross. He was solid going back too, completing all four of his tackles as well as a clearance and interception. Although playing as a box-to-box midfielder across both games, in the latter he was partnered by new man Esa Nakha, a parternership which has so far proven to be successful. And that leads me onto the next player of interest.
ESA NAKHA
Esa Nakha may have what many consider to be a dream debut versus Stockholm. From scoring from a rebound to equalise for Sydney, to then setting up Louis Ashworth's goal with a through ball, there's little to complain about when it comes to his performance. Perhaps we can criticise his lack of defensive work, however evidently parter Caetano had that covered. He received a 7.8 match rating for his work, Sydney's highest.
LOUIS ASHWORTH
Arguably Sydney's most consistent man across the two games, the Scot scored against both Medellin and Stockholm, with a composed close-range finish in the former and an accurate long shot in the latter. Ashworth also contributed with six key passes across both games and three completed dribbles. Although he did leave a lot to be desired with his crosses, missing every one of the seven he attempted. His efforts across both games averaged out at a 7.5 match rating.
RYAN VAN EYNDHOVEN
Van Eyndhoven once again showed his profiency in midfield against Medellin, making three key passes and winning all four of his aerial duals. However, this was not particularly reflected versus Stockholm, as the winger was more or less invisible apart from five completed dribbles, but this can be forgiven seeing as he played in a rather passive out-and-out winger role, seemingly incompatible with his preferred left foot.
HAROLD HAROLDINHO
Harold Haroldinho was at his creative best versus Stockholm, making four key passes and creating two big chances, and providing the assist for Nakha's debut goal. He was nearly as proficient against Medellin too, making another five key passes and an additional clear-cut chance. The Aussie is proving to be one of Sydney's most proficient creators.
ASKITO SATOSHI
Sydney's man in net Askito Satoshi was quite consistent across both games, making six clearances, and completing all 23 of his attempted passes. It remains clear that he is at best as a traditional goalkeeper, although there is still room for Satoshi to develop and cement himself as one of Sydney's most important.
SO, WHY THE DROP-OFF?
Sydney's rather unconvential assymetrical setup in the Medellin game shifted to the popular 4231 versus Stockholm, which did prove to make a difference. However, due to an unprecedented simulation mishap, the system featured two traditional wingers, with neither Ashworth or Van Eyndhoven inverting. This may have contributed to a lack of synergy in Sydney's final third, especially considering the two wingers both use the opposite foot of the side they play on. With some tactical adjustments to their new 4231 tactics, we expect Sydney to make a statement against the struggling Jakarta.
KIM MINJEONG
Leading the line for Sydney as usual, Kim Mineong was Sydney's best performer against Medellin, supplying a inch-perfect cross to Louis Ashworth who finished from close range. Kim also chipped in with two key passes and a clear-cut chance created, with an 89% pass completion rate. His creativity was awarded with a 7.8 match rating by analysts. However, he was not at his clinical best -- only putting half of his shots on target. This was reflected in the Stockholm game, with no shots on target and just the one key pass.
ANDRE CAETANO
The Sydney captain was not at his best versus Medellin, only receiving a 6.4 rating, however he picked up the pace against Stockholm. Caetano's performance saw three key passes, two big chances created, and a low, accurate cross. He was solid going back too, completing all four of his tackles as well as a clearance and interception. Although playing as a box-to-box midfielder across both games, in the latter he was partnered by new man Esa Nakha, a parternership which has so far proven to be successful. And that leads me onto the next player of interest.
ESA NAKHA
Esa Nakha may have what many consider to be a dream debut versus Stockholm. From scoring from a rebound to equalise for Sydney, to then setting up Louis Ashworth's goal with a through ball, there's little to complain about when it comes to his performance. Perhaps we can criticise his lack of defensive work, however evidently parter Caetano had that covered. He received a 7.8 match rating for his work, Sydney's highest.
LOUIS ASHWORTH
Arguably Sydney's most consistent man across the two games, the Scot scored against both Medellin and Stockholm, with a composed close-range finish in the former and an accurate long shot in the latter. Ashworth also contributed with six key passes across both games and three completed dribbles. Although he did leave a lot to be desired with his crosses, missing every one of the seven he attempted. His efforts across both games averaged out at a 7.5 match rating.
RYAN VAN EYNDHOVEN
Van Eyndhoven once again showed his profiency in midfield against Medellin, making three key passes and winning all four of his aerial duals. However, this was not particularly reflected versus Stockholm, as the winger was more or less invisible apart from five completed dribbles, but this can be forgiven seeing as he played in a rather passive out-and-out winger role, seemingly incompatible with his preferred left foot.
HAROLD HAROLDINHO
Harold Haroldinho was at his creative best versus Stockholm, making four key passes and creating two big chances, and providing the assist for Nakha's debut goal. He was nearly as proficient against Medellin too, making another five key passes and an additional clear-cut chance. The Aussie is proving to be one of Sydney's most proficient creators.
ASKITO SATOSHI
Sydney's man in net Askito Satoshi was quite consistent across both games, making six clearances, and completing all 23 of his attempted passes. It remains clear that he is at best as a traditional goalkeeper, although there is still room for Satoshi to develop and cement himself as one of Sydney's most important.
SO, WHY THE DROP-OFF?
Sydney's rather unconvential assymetrical setup in the Medellin game shifted to the popular 4231 versus Stockholm, which did prove to make a difference. However, due to an unprecedented simulation mishap, the system featured two traditional wingers, with neither Ashworth or Van Eyndhoven inverting. This may have contributed to a lack of synergy in Sydney's final third, especially considering the two wingers both use the opposite foot of the side they play on. With some tactical adjustments to their new 4231 tactics, we expect Sydney to make a statement against the struggling Jakarta.
