StDuncM
12-12-2005, 02:11 PM
Sydney FC 0 - 1 Deportivo Saprissa in the FIFA World Championships?
48' [0 - 1] C. Bolanos
81' A. Ceccoli Red Card
The report from Sydney FC website is qouted below
Sydney loses to Saprissa
Tuesday, 13 December, 2005 - 12:35AM
Sportal
Dwight YorkeTen-man Sydney FC has narrowly missed out on an opportunity to set up a dream tie against European champion Liverpool with a 1-0 defeat to CONCACAF Cup holders Deportivo Saprissa in Japan.
Attacking the Saprissa territory for long spells during the opening half, the Oceania champion couldn't find the breakthrough. Sydney then leaked a goal early in the second half when Saprissa's 21-year-old Christian Bolanos caught the defence napping.
Despite throwing everything at the Costa Ricans, Alvin Ceccoli's straight red card nine minutes from full-time gave Sydney a mountain they could not climb on a cold night in Nagoya.
Earlier, Sydney started confidently with Dwight Yorke dragging his opening effort wide of the target.
The Hyundai A-League side was making all the early running against Saprissa, which included five starters from Costa Rica's international win against the United States in October in its team.
As the CONCACAF champion struggled to contain Sydney's posession, Sasho Petrovski broke free down the left before cutting inside and firing a right-footed strike which the Saprissa keeper Jose Porras tipped narrowly wide.
Sydney continued to show the greater composure with Petrovski and local favourite Kazu Miura linking intelligently up front, but couldn't find a route through to Saprissa's goal as the Costa Rican's defending became increasingly desperate.
From one of a number of dangerous crosses, Steve Corica's centre - after a superb cross-field pass by captain Yorke pulling the strings in midfield - was deflected for a corner with Petrovski lurking. David Carney was also menacing on the right side as the sky blues made maximum use of the Toyota Stadium's wide pitch.
For all its long spells of possession, coach Pierre Littbarski would have been disappointed that Sydney only managed two shots on target in the first-half, Petrovski having another chance when he attempted a chip high and wide moments before the break.
Within minutes of the restart, Sydney went behind. Bolanos latched onto a hopeful ball from the back, evaded the marking of Andrew Packer, and slotted the winner past Clint Bolton.
Littbarski was pressed into attacking changes with John Buonavoglia on for Terry McFlynn but the substitution did nothing to stem the tide of Saprissa's sweeping forward movement.
On a rare Sydney foray in the second half, Ceccoli whipped in a delightful cross and 21-year-old Saprissa defender Gabriel Badilla almost headed past his own goalkeeper - the near own-goal inspiring Sydney.
A flurry of balls into the Saprissa box followed but with Ceccoli having received his marching orders from Japanese referee Toru Kamikawa for a high tackle on goalkeeper Porras, an equalising goal alluded Littbarski's side.
Saprissa could have extended its lead if not for some outstanding goalkeeping by Bolton in the final stages.
The Costa Ricans advance to the semi-finals to play Liverpool on Thursday while Sydney will now play Al Ahly - the Egyptians who were defeated 1-0 by Asian champions Al Ittihad - in the fifth-place playoff 24 hours later.
Sydney FC 0
Deportivo Saprissa 1 (Bolanos 47)
48' [0 - 1] C. Bolanos
81' A. Ceccoli Red Card
The report from Sydney FC website is qouted below
Sydney loses to Saprissa
Tuesday, 13 December, 2005 - 12:35AM
Sportal
Dwight YorkeTen-man Sydney FC has narrowly missed out on an opportunity to set up a dream tie against European champion Liverpool with a 1-0 defeat to CONCACAF Cup holders Deportivo Saprissa in Japan.
Attacking the Saprissa territory for long spells during the opening half, the Oceania champion couldn't find the breakthrough. Sydney then leaked a goal early in the second half when Saprissa's 21-year-old Christian Bolanos caught the defence napping.
Despite throwing everything at the Costa Ricans, Alvin Ceccoli's straight red card nine minutes from full-time gave Sydney a mountain they could not climb on a cold night in Nagoya.
Earlier, Sydney started confidently with Dwight Yorke dragging his opening effort wide of the target.
The Hyundai A-League side was making all the early running against Saprissa, which included five starters from Costa Rica's international win against the United States in October in its team.
As the CONCACAF champion struggled to contain Sydney's posession, Sasho Petrovski broke free down the left before cutting inside and firing a right-footed strike which the Saprissa keeper Jose Porras tipped narrowly wide.
Sydney continued to show the greater composure with Petrovski and local favourite Kazu Miura linking intelligently up front, but couldn't find a route through to Saprissa's goal as the Costa Rican's defending became increasingly desperate.
From one of a number of dangerous crosses, Steve Corica's centre - after a superb cross-field pass by captain Yorke pulling the strings in midfield - was deflected for a corner with Petrovski lurking. David Carney was also menacing on the right side as the sky blues made maximum use of the Toyota Stadium's wide pitch.
For all its long spells of possession, coach Pierre Littbarski would have been disappointed that Sydney only managed two shots on target in the first-half, Petrovski having another chance when he attempted a chip high and wide moments before the break.
Within minutes of the restart, Sydney went behind. Bolanos latched onto a hopeful ball from the back, evaded the marking of Andrew Packer, and slotted the winner past Clint Bolton.
Littbarski was pressed into attacking changes with John Buonavoglia on for Terry McFlynn but the substitution did nothing to stem the tide of Saprissa's sweeping forward movement.
On a rare Sydney foray in the second half, Ceccoli whipped in a delightful cross and 21-year-old Saprissa defender Gabriel Badilla almost headed past his own goalkeeper - the near own-goal inspiring Sydney.
A flurry of balls into the Saprissa box followed but with Ceccoli having received his marching orders from Japanese referee Toru Kamikawa for a high tackle on goalkeeper Porras, an equalising goal alluded Littbarski's side.
Saprissa could have extended its lead if not for some outstanding goalkeeping by Bolton in the final stages.
The Costa Ricans advance to the semi-finals to play Liverpool on Thursday while Sydney will now play Al Ahly - the Egyptians who were defeated 1-0 by Asian champions Al Ittihad - in the fifth-place playoff 24 hours later.
Sydney FC 0
Deportivo Saprissa 1 (Bolanos 47)