Having already secured their spot in the last 16, Sky Blues coach Ufuk Talay used the opportunity to blood young talent against the reigning Philippines Football League champions at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Emerging talents Adrian Segecic, Patrick Wood and Jaiden Kucharski hit the scoreboard with a goal apiece on Thursday, Sydney advancing to the knockout stage after finishing second (12 points) in Group E.
Rising stars Jaiden Kucharski (left) and Adrian Segecic helped Sydney FC in their win over Kaya. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
On the other hand, Kaya's ACL2 journey ends after they finished third with four points.
"It was a really difficult match today but we learned a lot from this campaign," Kaya coach Yu Hoshide said.
"We have to improve more. I want to be back here again next year."
Resting big guns such as Joe Lolley and Douglas Costa ahead of their A-League Men clash with Central Coast on Sunday, Talay named a line-up featuring four teenagers and four potential debutants on the bench.
Back-up goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares was the oldest at 28, with 18 of the 22 named in the squad academy graduates.
"It was an opportunity to expose these guys to this level and give them that opportunity to showcase what they can actually do," Talay said.
Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay was happy to give game time to young players. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
"Very, very proud of the group. As a club, our academy plays a massive part in producing players.
"I'm very pleased with the boys, with the way that they handle themselves and the way that they played tonight."
Segecic put Sydney ahead in the 38th minute after his ball rebounded favourably off the far post and into the net.
Wood then doubled their lead two minutes into added time before the break, slotting easily courtesy of a clean pass from debutant Wataru Kamijo.
Kucharski, after missing a golden opportunity in the first half, found the back of the net in the 75th minute to pile on the pain on the visitors.
A goal to Kaya, by Robert Lopez Mendy in the 85th minute, was Sydney's only blemish.
Sweet as a nut 😮�💨� How about this for a hit from 20-year-old Adrian Segecic!��— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) Off the post and in - the Sky Blue young gun opened Sydney FC's account in style 👌Watch #SYDvKAY live NOW on 10 Play 📺 pic.twitter.com/IP1NopOw6HDecember 5, 2024
Kucharski had the best chance to open the scoring for Sydney in the 19th minute.
Set up by a brilliant nutmeg from teenager Tiago Quintal, Kucharski sent the ball into the crossbar from point-blank range.
A corner cross from Segecic appeared to have been caught by Kaya defender Audie Menzi's hand, but Sydney did not get paid a penalty.
The incident was not reviewed because the ACL2 does not have VAR.
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