Italian legend shone brightest as his side were beaten by Japanese side Sagan Tosu.
Alessandro Del Piero proved talent is most definitely permanent after starring for Sydney FC in their 2-1 friendly defeat to Japanese side Sagan Tosu on Wednesday, Fox Sports reported.
The 38-year-old Italy legend provided a 77 minute masterclass in the centre of a three-pronged attack and was influential in the creation of Rhyan Grant’s 24th minute goal that brought the Sky Blues level in the match.
Earlier, midfielder Koto Mizunuma had nudged the J-League side into a first minute lead before Grant’s leveller as the visitors sharpened their attacking strategy and went close through Corey Gameiro, Joel Chianese and Brett Emerton.
However, those missed chances were soon punished when Mizunuma rose to head home what transpired to be the winning goal from Koki Kiyutake’s cross in front of the 21,000 strong crowd at the Best Amenity Stadium.
Sydney thought they’d levelled again in the 58th minute when Chianese converted from inside the six-yard box only to be ruled offside, before a raft of changes stifled any momentum generated in the second half.
Even with Del Piero pulling the strings the A-League side couldn’t find a way through and his withdrawal 13 minutes from time signalled the end of their hopes of nabbing a late draw.
There was one brief highlight for supporters though as club luminaries Nick Carle and Matt Jurman managed 90 minutes, while Pedj Bojic, Marc Warren and Gameiro enjoyed promising debuts.
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