DOHA (Qatar): Sydney FC, who are already out of the tournament, picked up their first win of AFC Champions League 2020 after they defeated Shanghai SIPG 4-0 at Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.
The A-League champions, who lost their previous two matches, emerged winners thanked to Alex Wilkson and Luke Brattan goals before half-time while Trent Buhagiar added two of his own after the interval for Sydney’s biggest ever AFC Champions League win.
Despite their defeat, Shanghai SIPG’s place in the knockout stage was confirmed with a game to spare early in the afternoon thanks to Yokohama F. Marinos’ 4-1 win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Still without a win to their name going into the match, Sydney had an unfortunate start, with 19-year-old goalkeeper Adam Pavelsic stretchered off in the opening minutes after an ugly head clash with Shanghai SIPG’s Rui.
When play resumed it was the Chinese outfit who looked more threatening, but the Australians went ahead in the 28th minute, with 36-year-old stalwart Wilkinson heading home heading home his first ever AFC Champions League goal following Brattan’s corner kick and Rhyan Grant’s flick on. (Source: AFC)
