Sydney win pre-season opener

Sydney FC began their pre-season campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over the Macarthur Rams at Campbelltown Stadium.

Sydney FC began their pre-season campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over the Macarthur Rams at Campbelltown Stadium.

The Sky Blues started the game fielding eight first-team players, including new signings Ali Abbas, Yairo Yau, Adam Griffiths and Fabio.

The Hyundai A-League side got the opener just after 20 minutes, as Ali Abbas curled in a beautiful free-kick from 25 yards.

National Youth League striker Nick Taneski doubled the lead eight minutes later, drilling a shot inside the goalkeeper-s right-hand post.

Sydney made it 3-0 before half-time, as Fabio created room down the left hand side, played a one-two with Yau, and cut the ball back for Petratos to steer the ball home from 12 yards.

Ian Crook made 11 changes at half-time, introducing Croatian striker Kruno Lovrek and Nick Carle.

However a loss of concentration outside the Sky Blues' own box led to the Rams pulling a goal back. Sydney gave the ball away and it fell to defender Elali who beat Janjetovic with a clinical finish.