Sydney FC's Asian Champions League campaign was left on tenterhooks after a demoralising 3-0 defeat to Japanese side Kashima Antlers at the Sydney Football Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Sky Blues have now drawn two and lost one of its opening ACL clashes, all at home, leaving an uphill task on the road to qualify out of the group stage.
Takuya Nozawa opened the scoring for Kashima on 42 minutes with a opportunistic finish after some slick build-up play by the visitors.
Nozawa then turned provider with a fine far-post cross for Fellyppe Gabriel to double the lead with his head just seven minutes after the break.
Sydney pushed forward in a desperate attempt to get back into the contest but left the door open for Antlers to claim a third goal in added time to Shinzo Koroki.
Kashima is equal with group leaders Suwon on five points but behind on goal difference while Sydney is level with China's Shanghai Shenhua with two points.
Sydney travel to Shanghai for its next fixture on April 19.
First posted April 13, 2011 22:33:00
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