Will Booth 
Sydney FC's Hayden Matthews jostles for the ball with Aydan Hammond. Photo: Joshua Davis/Round Ball Australia
Sydney FC were down to 10 men for the second time in four games this season, after Hayden Matthews was shown a second yellow card for a professional foul on the stroke of half time of the clash against Macarthur, and ultimately losing 2-1.
His first caution was given for a late challenge on Marin Jakoliš at the 10-minute mark in the game, who was bursting down the wing after a turnover from Sydney.
The referee allowed play to continue, and Macarthur were left with a three-on-two player advantage as they neared Sydney’s 18-yard line, with the move coming to nothing in the end after Jordan Courtney-Perkins got a block on Valère Germain’s shot.
Sydney FC would be exploited in the same way multiple times throughout the match, but Macarthur failed to take advantage from these situations and the score remained tight.
Matthews’ red card was a result of the same issue, with Sydney’s rest defence being tested after turning over possession.
In this instance, Matthews’ interjection seemed needless as the worst-case outcome from the play would have been a three-on-two in Sydney’s favour well inside Macarthur’s own half.
Instead, Matthews naively decided on dragging back Jakoliš with an arm as he went past, an absent-minded decision given the circumstances and the fact that the defender was already on a yellow card.
Ufuk Talay said it was a learning moment for the young defender, who’s form this season has earned him a maiden Socceroos call-up for the upcoming qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
“I don’t think he needs to stick his hand out,” Talay explained.
“He’s still 50 or 60 metres away from goal.
“These are all learning moments for young players.”
Whilst this situation specifically can be put down to Jakolis having the game experience and smarts to draw Matthews into the foul, the pressure being put on this Sydney backline is symptomatic of the aggressive and front-foot style implemented by Talay.
After going down to 10, Talay’s men maintained their approach and committed numbers forward in attack, looking the better side after half-time even after being a player down.
In the end the deadlock was broken in extraordinary circumstances with Ariath Piol submitting his goal of the season contender early, putting away a stunning bicycle kick that left Andrew Redmayne stranded.
Talay would have thought his side had been rewarded for their bravery after Patrick Wood equalised for the hosts in the 88th minute, but it was Macarthur who managed to find a winner in the dying moments of the game.
Macarthur once again won the ball back and again found themselves with a numbers advantage as Germain bared down on the sole Sydney defender, before finding Jakoliš at the back post who slotted home to make it 2-1.
Whilst the late winner from Macarthur would feel like a gut punch for Sydney FC fans, there are plenty of positives to take away from the display.
Facing adversity, Talay has shown his propensity to deliver attacking football regardless of the circumstances, which, win or lose, will always provide entertainment for the supporters.
Talay reinforced the teams’ identity post-match, not using the strategy as an excuse, instead highlighting his unwavering belief in his own philosophies.
“We doubled down on the way we want to play,” Talay said.
“We were true to our beliefs and our principles.
“We’re not going to move away from what we believe is the best way of playing the game.”
If Sydney continue to play this way, then they will at least need to outscore opponents, something they struggled with against Macarthur as they were without Joe Lolley and Douglas Costa, two of their biggest goal threats.
Talay will be hoping both players will take the international break to make full recoveries in time for their Unite Round derby against the Western Sydney Wanderers.