Adrian Mierzejewski stars as Sydney FC thrash Suwon Bluewings

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:32 am

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Sydney FC have kept their Asian Champions League knockout hopes alive with a stunning 4-1 win over Suwon Bluewings in South Korea.

The shock victory ensures the Sky Blues remain in mathematical contention to secure a place in the knockout phase of the competition after moving to five points.

Suwon bossed Tuesday night's game from at the outset with Yeom Ki-Hun and Waguininho causing Sydney the most problems, as the latter first tested Andrew Redmayne approaching the quarter-hour at the Suwon World Cup Stadium.

But the Sky Blues took a shock lead on 23 minutes, finding the net against the run of play.

After Suwon striker Dejan Damjanovic had his shot blocked, Milos Ninkovic picked up the clearance and laid off to Adrian Mierzejewski. The Polish attacker played a long ball over the Suwon defence which Ninkovic latched on to and lobbed goalkeeper Shin Hwa-Yong from 30 metres.

But Sydney's lead lasted just 30 seconds before Damjanovic equalised after two bites at the cherry. His first attempt from Waguininho's cross took a lucky ricochet off a teammate, but the rebound bobbled up nicely and, with Redmayne already committed, Damjanovic volleyed in.

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The visitors regained their lead via a free kick after Paolo Retre was fouled near the corner flag. Mierzejewski whipped the ball into the near post where Alex Brosque had ghosted unmarked and the skipper powered his header past Hwa-Yong who managed to get a touch but couldn't keep it out.

Suwon battered the Sky Blues' goal in the closing stages of the first half, with Ki-Hun having two long-range free kicks go close. The second was well saved by Redmayne down low.

The home side came out firing after half-time, pinning Sydney back in their defensive half and carving out a handful of chances.

Waguininho had a header tipped over the bar on 53 minutes before finding the net soon after but it was correctly ruled out for offside.

Suwon applied unrelenting pressure which Sydney dealt with before they again found the net against the run of play in the 79th minute.

Brosque picked up the ball on the halfway line before feeding Ninkovic who, in turn, lined up David Carney. The move stretched Suwon's defence and Carney found Mierzejewski in massive space on the left flank. With two assists to his name already, Mierzejewski capped off an impressive performance, rounding Hwa-Yong and rolling the ball into the empty net.

Substitute Bobo sealed a stunning night for Sydney, racing onto a through ball from Chris Zuvela and slotting under Hwa-Yong in injury time.