2022-11-03, 06:19 PM - Word count:
Sydney FC started the season on a very positive note, playing really well and playing a tight system. However that seems to have quickly fallen apart and they have been spiraling downwards towards the bottom of the table. Sydney was being well managed and trying to be competitive with the roster they have, but it seems as though as the season goes on, the talent in Division 1 has become too much for them. They have tried to keep things together, but the gap between the league’s top teams and players has started to show itself on the pitch.
Now at first glance, this may be a surprise to many, but in reality this is somewhat expected. Sydney FC has a glut of young, recently acquired players who need to get some game time in order to improve. As such, this has caused some tough decisions from management and leading to having Connor Azpiliqueta and Certified Problem sit out on a few of the recent league games. Removing these two from the Sydney FC roster really shows how they are able to plug holes on their own and make the roster look much more competitive than it is.
The Cup landscape was different, as management opted to have Certified Problem and Connor Azpiliqueta start every game for Sydney, trying to advance and make a deep run. They made it through the first round and then got matched up against Inter London, Division 2’s best team and also one that is undefeated. Their first leg was a very tough matchup, where they came out of Australia with a 1-1 draw. Sydney knew that the away goal would be a tough one to overcome heading back to London, but it was doable. The second leg started with a quick Inter London goal in the game’s first minute, immediately putting Sydney on the back foot. Sydney did manage to tie the game shortly after. However, after that it seemed like Inter London was completely controlling the pace of the game. There were lots of runs being made behind Sydney’s back line and it was hard for them to put together anything offensively, and ultimately the game ended with Inter London wining the second leg 3-1, advancing with a 4-2 aggregate win. That was a tough one to swallow for Sydney players, but it’s sure to give them a ton of valuable experience moving forward.
Now at first glance, this may be a surprise to many, but in reality this is somewhat expected. Sydney FC has a glut of young, recently acquired players who need to get some game time in order to improve. As such, this has caused some tough decisions from management and leading to having Connor Azpiliqueta and Certified Problem sit out on a few of the recent league games. Removing these two from the Sydney FC roster really shows how they are able to plug holes on their own and make the roster look much more competitive than it is.
The Cup landscape was different, as management opted to have Certified Problem and Connor Azpiliqueta start every game for Sydney, trying to advance and make a deep run. They made it through the first round and then got matched up against Inter London, Division 2’s best team and also one that is undefeated. Their first leg was a very tough matchup, where they came out of Australia with a 1-1 draw. Sydney knew that the away goal would be a tough one to overcome heading back to London, but it was doable. The second leg started with a quick Inter London goal in the game’s first minute, immediately putting Sydney on the back foot. Sydney did manage to tie the game shortly after. However, after that it seemed like Inter London was completely controlling the pace of the game. There were lots of runs being made behind Sydney’s back line and it was hard for them to put together anything offensively, and ultimately the game ended with Inter London wining the second leg 3-1, advancing with a 4-2 aggregate win. That was a tough one to swallow for Sydney players, but it’s sure to give them a ton of valuable experience moving forward.
