Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ibaraki: A second-half goal from Matt Simon earned Sydney FC a 1-1 draw with Kashima Antlers in their Group H AFC Champions League encounter on Tuesday.
The home side picked up from where they left off in Sydney last week and immediately took control of the match, taking a deserved lead midway through the first half when Mu Kanazaki was left free at the back post to head into an open net.
Go Oiwa’s men continued to control the match in the second half and looked the most likely to score again, as Kanazaki and Yuma Suzuki continually caused trouble for Sydney FC’s defence with their passing and movement.
But with 20 minutes left to play it was the visitors who equalised against the run of play.
Polish midfielder Adrian Mierzejewski produced a defence-splitting pass to play in Luke Wilkshire down the left, with the former Socceroo’s cross to the back post headed over the line by Matt Simon.
Just over five minutes later, Mierzejewski almost turned provider again, slipping in a ball for Alex Brosque, but he pulled his shot agonisingly wide.
At the other end some last ditch defending from Aaron Calver and Alex Wilkinson kept Kashima at bay and ensured Sydney FC left Japan with a point in their pocket.
The result keeps Kashima Antlers on top of Group H on eight points, and likely to progress to the Round of 16, while Sydney FC remain rooted to the bottom of the group with just two points.