2020–21 Sydney FC season

Sydney FC
2020–21 season
Chairman	Scott Barlow
Manager	Steve Corica
Stadium	Netstrata Jubilee Stadium; Leichhardt Oval; Stadium Australia
A-League	2nd
A-League Finals	Runners-up
FFA Cup	Cancelled
AFC Champions League	Withdrew
Top goalscorer	League: Bobô (12); All: Bobô (12)
Highest home attendance	17,121 (23 May 2021 vs. Western Sydney Wanderers
Lowest home attendance	4,226 (19 May 2021 vs. Melbourne Victory
Average home league attendance	7,813
	← 2019–20 2021–22 →

The 2020–21 Sydney FC season is the club's 16th season since its establishment in 2004. The club will participate in the A-League for the 16th time. The club will not compete in the 2020 FFA Cup due to the event being cancelled following the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.^[1] The club was scheduled to play in the 2021 AFC Champions League in Uzbekistan from 25 June 2021 to 10 July 2021, but withdrew from the competition on 4 June 2021.^[2]^[3]

Players[]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	AUS	Andrew Redmayne
2	DF	AUS	Patrick Flottmann
3	DF	AUS	Ben Warland
4	DF	AUS	Alex Wilkinson (captain)
5	MF	GER	Alexander Baumjohann
6	DF	AUS	Ryan McGowan
7	DF	AUS	Michael Zullo
8	MF	AUS	Paulo Retre
9	FW	BRA	Bobô
10	MF	SRB	Miloš Ninković
11	FW	NZL	Kosta Barbarouses
12	FW	AUS	Trent Buhagiar
16	DF	AUS	Joel King


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
17	MF	AUS	Anthony Cáceres
18	FW	AUS	Luke Ivanovic
19	MF	AUS	Chris Zuvela
20	GK	AUS	Tom Heward-Belle
21	DF	AUS	Harry Van Der Saag
23	DF	AUS	Rhyan Grant
25	DF	AUS	Callum Talbot (Scholarship)
26	MF	AUS	Luke Brattan
27	FW	AUS	Jordan Swibel (Scholarship)
28	MF	AUS	Calem Nieuwenhof (Scholarship)
30	GK	AUS	Adam Pavlesic (Scholarship)
33	FW	AUS	Patrick Wood (Scholarship)
99	FW	ENG	Adam Le Fondre

Transfers[]

Transfers in[]

No.	Position	Name	Transferred from	Type/fee	Contract length	Date	Ref
9	FW	Bobô	Unattached	Free transfer	1 year	1 January 2021	^[4]
99	FW	Adam Le Fondre	Mumbai City	End of loan (and new contract)	2.5 years	23 April 2021	^[5]
2	DF	Patrick Flottmann	Brisbane Roar	End of loan	(1 month)	10 May 2021	^[6]^[7]^[8]

From youth squad[]

N	Pos.	Name	Age	Notes
28	MF	Calem Nieuwenhof	19	2 year scholarship contract^[9]
30	GK	Adam Pavlesic	18	2 year scholarship contract^[9]
29	DF	Anton Mlinaric	18	2 year scholarship contract^[9]
25	DF	Callum Talbot	19	2 year scholarship contract^[9]
27	FW	Jordan Swibel	21	1 year scholarship contract^[10]
33	FW	Patrick Wood	18	2 year scholarship contract^[11]

Transfers out[]

No.	Position	Player	Transferred to	Type/fee	Date	Ref
24	FW	Marco Tilio	Unattached	End of contract	7 September 2020	^[12]
9	FW	Adam Le Fondre	Mumbai City	Loan	7 October 2020	^[13]^[14]
29	DF	Anton Mlinaric	Dinamo Zagreb	Loan	15 February 2021	^[15]
2	DF	Patrick Flottmann	Brisbane Roar	Loan	28 April 2021	^[16]

Contract extensions[]

No.	Name	Position	Duration	Date	Notes
3	Ben Warland	Centre-back	2 years	5 February 2021	^[17]

Pre-season and friendlies[]

31 October 2020	Sydney FC	2–1	Macarthur FC
		Report

12 November 2020	Sydney FC	3–0	Australia U-23	Sydney, Australia
19:00 AEDT	Retre 5' Buhagiar 15' Baumjohann 18'	Report		Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Competitions[]

Win Draw Loss

Overview[]

Competition	Record
Competition	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
A-League	26	13	8	5	39	23	+16	050.00
Total	26	13	8	5	39	23	+16	050.00

Updated to match played future (December 2020)
Source: Competitions

A-League[]

League table[]

Pos	Team v t	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Melbourne City (C)	26	15	4	7	57	32	+25	49	Qualification to Finals series, 2021 FFA Cup round of 32, and 2022 AFC Champions League group stage^[b]
2	Sydney FC	26	13	8	5	39	23	+16	47	Qualification to Finals series, 2021 FFA Cup round of 32, and 2022 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs^[b]
3	Central Coast Mariners	26	12	6	8	35	31	+4	42	Qualification to Finals series, 2021 FFA Cup round of 32, and possible Qualification for AFC Champions League play-off round^[a]^[b]
4	Brisbane Roar	26	11	7	8	36	28	+8	40	Qualification to Finals series and 2021 FFA Cup round of 32^[b]
5	Adelaide United	26	11	6	9	39	41	−2	39

Source: A-League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Least red cards; 5) Least yellow cards; 6) Toss of a coin in an event of a tie of two clubs.
(C) Champion
Notes:

^ The third-placed team will qualify only if Melbourne City, Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix or a lower-level NPL team also wins the 2021 FFA Cup.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d The top two teams entered the Finals series at the semi-finals, while the teams ranked third to sixth entered the Finals series at the elimination-finals.

Matches[]

Win Draw Loss

2 January 2021 2	Wellington Phoenix	1–2	Sydney FC	Wollongong
17:00 AEST	Muratovic 45'	Report	Nieuwenhof 29' Brattan 55'	Stadium: WIN Stadium Attendance: 3,637 Referee: Alex King

16 January 2021 4	Sydney FC	1–1	Western Sydney Wanderers FC	Sydney
17:00 AEST	Barbarouses 63' (pen.)	Report	Troisi 68'	Stadium: ANZ Stadium Attendance: 14,402 Referee: Alex King

23 January 2021 5	Sydney FC	0–2	Central Coast Mariners	Sydney
19:05 AEST		Report	Warland 53' (o.g.) Kuol 74'	Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 5,320 Referee: Ben Abraham

30 January 2021 7	Macarthur FC	0–3	Sydney FC	Sydney
19:10 AEST		Report	Wood 66', 86' Ninković 76'	Stadium: Campbelltown Stadium Referee: Alex King

8 February 2021 17	Sydney FC	2–1	Wellington Phoenix	Sydney
20:00 AEST	Barbarouses 32', 64'	Report	Dávila 90'	Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 5,220 Referee: Chris Beath

20 February 2021 21	Sydney FC	0–0	Brisbane Roar FC	Sydney
19:00 AEST		Report		Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 5,667 Referee: Chris Beath

23 February 2021 24	Melbourne City FC	3–2	Sydney FC	Melbourne
19:00 AEST	Maclaren 8', 53' Luna 28'	Report	Ninković 72' Wood 90'	Stadium: AAMI Park Attendance: 3,868 Referee: Stephen Lucas

28 February 2021 20	Sydney FC	0–1	Macarthur FC	Sydney
16:05 AEST		Report	Derbyshire 36'	Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 10,158 Referee: Alex King

6 March 2021 12	Brisbane Roar FC	1–1	Sydney FC	Brisbane
17:05 AEST	Wenzel-Halls 18'	Report	Bobô 71'	Stadium: Dolphin Oval Attendance: 8,562 Referee: Shaun Evans

10 March 2021 23	Sydney FC	2–0	Western United FC	Sydney
19:05 AEST	Bobô 18' (pen.) Grant 47'	Report		Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 5,201 Referee: Daniel Elder

13 March 2021 13	Sydney FC	2–1	Newcastle Jets FC	Sydney
17:05 AEST	Ninković 64' Wilkinson 80'	Report	Prso 21'	Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 8,920 Referee: Ben Abraham

24 March 2021 15	Perth Glory	1–1	Sydney FC	Perth
21:20 AEST	Fornaroli 43'	Report	Bobô 63'	Stadium: HBF Park Attendance: 4,273 Referee: Alireza Faghani

28 March 2021 16	Adelaide United	1–0	Sydney FC	Adelaide
16:40 ACST	Goodwin 76' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium Attendance: 8,451 Referee: Shaun Evans

4 April 2021 6	Melbourne Victory	0–3	Sydney FC	Melbourne
19:05 AEST		Report	Bobô 42' Barbarouses 50' Baumjohann 84' (pen.)	Stadium: AAMI Park Attendance: 5,347 Referee: Daniel Elder

7 April 2021 10	Sydney FC	1–0	Perth Glory	Sydney
19:00 AEST	Barbarouses 54'	Report		Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 5,122 Referee: Adam Kersey

10 April 2021 1	Sydney FC	1–1	Melbourne City FC	Sydney
17:00 AEST	Barbarouses 54'	Report	Maclaren 90' (pen.)	Stadium: Leichhardt Oval Attendance: 7,676 Referee: Alex King

18 April 2021 8	Sydney FC	2–2	Adelaide United	Sydney
19:00 AEST	Bobô 19', 51'	Report	Elsey 75' Juric 79'	Stadium: Leichhardt Oval Attendance: 7,718 Referee: Shaun Evans

24 April 2021 19	Central Coast Mariners	2–2	Sydney FC	Gosford
17:00 AEST	Urena 6' Simon 41'	Report	Ninkovic 45+2' Buhagiar 83'	Stadium: Central Coast Stadium Attendance: 10,173 Referee: Chris Beath

27 April 2021 14	Sydney FC	1–0	Melbourne Victory	Sydney
19:35 AEST	Bobô 6'	Report		Stadium: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 4,816 Referee: Daniel Elder

1 May 2021 9	Western Sydney Wanderers FC	3–2	Sydney FC	Sydney
19:10 AEST	Kamau 12' Duke 16' McDonald 74'	Report	Wilkinson 47' Bobô 90+4'	Stadium: Bankwest Stadium Attendance: 20,336 Referee: Shaun Evans

8 May 2021 26	Newcastle Jets FC	1–1	Sydney FC	Newcastle
17:05 AEST	O'Donovan 59' (pen.)	Report	Boogaard 76' (o.g.)	Stadium: McDonald Jones Stadium Attendance: 4,404 Referee: Alex King

15 May 2021 11	Western United FC	0–1	Sydney FC	Ballarat
14:35 AEST		Report	Le Fondre 76' (pen.)	Stadium: MARS Stadium Attendance: 2,020 Referee: Shaun Evans

19 May 2021 25	Sydney FC	2–0	Melbourne Victory	Sydney
19:05 AEST	Bobô 10' Barbarouses 83'	Report		Stadium: Jubilee Stadium Attendance: 4,226 Referee: Alex King

23 May 2021 18	Sydney FC	1–0	Western Sydney Wanderers FC	Sydney
16:05 AEST	Bobô 62'	Report		Stadium: Sydney Cricket Ground Attendance: 17,121 Referee: Chris Beath

29 May 2021 22	Adelaide United	1–4	Sydney FC	Adelaide
19:10 ACST	Dukuly 89'	Report	Le Fondre 6', 54' Bobô 58' Wood 71'	Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium Attendance: 8,198 Referee: Daniel Elder

5 June 2021 3	Brisbane Roar FC	0–2	Sydney FC	Brisbane
15:05 AEST		Report	Barbarouses 16' Van Der Saag 90+5'	Stadium: Dolphin Oval Attendance: 8,351 Referee: Alireza Faghani

Finals series[]

19 June 2021 Semi-final	Sydney FC	2–1	Adelaide United	Sydney
19:05 AEST	Le Fondre 24' (pen.) Bobô 43'	Report	Juande 64'	Stadium: Jubilee Stadium Referee: Alireza Faghani

27 June 2021 Grand Final	Melbourne City	3–1	Sydney FC	Melbourne
17:05 AEST	Atkinson 23' Jamieson 45+1' (pen.) Galloway 90+3'	Report	Barbarouses 21'	Stadium: AAMI Park Attendance: 14,017 Referee: Chris Beath

AFC Champions League[]

Group stage

Pos	Team v t	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification	JEO	GAM	CHI	TAM
1	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	6	5	1	0	22	5	+17	16	Advance to Round of 16	—	2–1	2–1	9–0
2	Gamba Osaka	6	2	3	1	15	7	+8	9		2–2	—	1–1	8–1
3	Chiangrai United	6	2	2	2	8	7	+1	8		1–3	1–1	—	1–0
4	Tampines Rovers	6	0	0	6	1	27	−26	0		0–4	0–2	0–3	—

Source: AFC

Matches[]

25 June 2021	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Cancelled	Sydney FC	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
				Stadium: Lokomotiv Stadium

28 June 2021	Sydney FC	Cancelled	Tampines Rovers	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
				Stadium: Milliy Stadium

1 July 2021	Sydney FC	Cancelled	Gamba Osaka	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
				Stadium: Milliy Stadium

4 July 2021	Gamba Osaka	Cancelled	Sydney FC	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
				Stadium: Lokomotiv Stadium

7 July 2021	Sydney FC	Cancelled	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
				Stadium: Lokomotiv Stadium

10 July 2021	Tampines Rovers	Cancelled	Sydney FC	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
				Stadium: Lokomotiv Stadium

Notes[]

References[]

^ "Coronavirus forces FFA Cup to be cancelled". The World Game. SBS. 7 July 2020.
^ "A-League teams Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar withdrawn from Asian Champions League due to finals schedule". ABC News. 4 June 2021.
^ "Australian clubs withdraw from 2021 Asian Champions League". AP NEWS. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
^ Rugari, Vince (1 January 2021). "'I'm still hungry': Brazilian goal machine Bobo seals Sydney FC return". The Sydney Morning Herald.
^ Monteverde, Marco (23 April 2021). "A-League: Adam Le Fondre rejoins Sydney FC in huge boost for Sky Blues' title chances". The Weekly Times.
^ Brisbane Roar [@brisbaneroar] (10 May 2021). "Brisbane Roar wishes to thank Patrick Flottmann for his professionalism and contribution to the team in training and across his four @ALeague appearances following the conclusion of the defender's short-term contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
^ "Ins & Outs: Burke-Gilroy among extended squad for Mariners match". Brisbane Roar. 11 May 2021.
^ "Ins & Outs: Matchweek 22". Sydney FC. 21 May 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Sydney FC Sign Four Academy Players To A-League Contracts". Sydney FC. 8 December 2020.
^ "Sydney FC Promote Academy Striker Jordan Swibel". Sydney FC. 7 January 2021.
^ "Patrick Wood Signs Scholarship Deal". Sydney FC. 16 February 2021.
^ "Marco Tilio to leave Champions". Sydney FC. 7 September 2020.
^ Noronha, Anselm (3 October 2020). "ISL: Mumbai City FC agree terms with English forward Adam le Fondre". Goal.
^ "Sydney FC Agree To Le Fondre Loan". Sydney FC. 7 October 2020.
^ "Youngster Secures European Loan Move". Sydney FC. 15 February 2021.
^ "Sydney FC Agree Flottmann Move". Sydney FC. 28 April 2021.
^ "Signing news: Warland inks deal to stay at Sydney FC". A-League. 5 February 2021.

[18] The third-placed team will qualify only if Melbourne City, Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix or a lower-level NPL team also wins the 2021 FFA Cup.

[table_note_res_AFCGS0.55942085364807-19] The top two teams entered the Finals series at the semi-finals, while the teams ranked third to sixth entered the Finals series at the elimination-finals.

[1] "Coronavirus forces FFA Cup to be cancelled". The World Game. SBS. 7 July 2020.

[2] "A-League teams Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar withdrawn from Asian Champions League due to finals schedule". ABC News. 4 June 2021.

[3] "Australian clubs withdraw from 2021 Asian Champions League". AP NEWS. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.

[4] Rugari, Vince (1 January 2021). "'I'm still hungry': Brazilian goal machine Bobo seals Sydney FC return". The Sydney Morning Herald.

[5] Monteverde, Marco (23 April 2021). "A-League: Adam Le Fondre rejoins Sydney FC in huge boost for Sky Blues' title chances". The Weekly Times.

[6] Brisbane Roar [@brisbaneroar] (10 May 2021). "Brisbane Roar wishes to thank Patrick Flottmann for his professionalism and contribution to the team in training and across his four @ALeague appearances following the conclusion of the defender's short-term contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

[7] "Ins & Outs: Burke-Gilroy among extended squad for Mariners match". Brisbane Roar. 11 May 2021.

[8] "Ins & Outs: Matchweek 22". Sydney FC. 21 May 2021.

[Scholarships8Dec-9] "Sydney FC Sign Four Academy Players To A-League Contracts". Sydney FC. 8 December 2020.

[10] "Sydney FC Promote Academy Striker Jordan Swibel". Sydney FC. 7 January 2021.

[11] "Patrick Wood Signs Scholarship Deal". Sydney FC. 16 February 2021.

[12] "Marco Tilio to leave Champions". Sydney FC. 7 September 2020.

[13] Noronha, Anselm (3 October 2020). "ISL: Mumbai City FC agree terms with English forward Adam le Fondre". Goal.

[14] "Sydney FC Agree To Le Fondre Loan". Sydney FC. 7 October 2020.

[15] "Youngster Secures European Loan Move". Sydney FC. 15 February 2021.

[16] "Sydney FC Agree Flottmann Move". Sydney FC. 28 April 2021.

[17] "Signing news: Warland inks deal to stay at Sydney FC". A-League. 5 February 2021.

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