Match Pictures | Matches: 2022 – 2023
Trivia
- KO: 03:45 (UK time) Sunday; Celtic tv only
- Sydney Super Cup
- Match played in Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia.
- Second & final match of tour. Homecoming for Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou; Aaron Mooy is away with the Aussie World Cup squad.
- Some Celtic fans in UK annoyed as time for this match was changed from 8am UK time to 3.45am! And only on Celtic tv with no PPV!
- Still woeful at penalties! This has been a consistent for many years.
- Celtic go home with no 0/2 wins but a happy holiday for the players!
- Matt O’Riley hit out at Everton youngster Isaac Price, saying a horror tackle in their Sydney Cup friendly that went unpunished by the referee could have broken his leg.
- Everton have been struggling in the EPL and are near the relegation zone (as same as last season). This was their first ‘victory’ in five games.
- Ange Postecoglou took several of his first-team players along to a special #CelticFC x adidas Open Air Fan Party in Sydney!
- World Cup in Qatar begins later today.
- Goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi, who is poised for a call-up to the England Under-20 World Cup squad for the competition in Indonesia next year, expected to be put on loan out in January.
- Former Celtic transfer supremo Nick Hammond, who quit Parkhead as head of football operations in March last year, is set to be appointed director of football at Hapoel Tel Aviv.
- Ex-Celtic defender Ramon Vega failed in an attempt to challenge Gianni Infantino as president of Fifa in elections next year. Never would have got close to the role.
- Scottish football authorities have warned that banning alcohol advertising from football matches could have “significant unintended consequences” for the game.
- Dundee United hand ex-Celt Charlie Mulgrew player-coach role as part of Liam Fox’s management team.
- Sevco (unsurprisingly) sacked their manager Gio van Bronckhorst the next day, at the World Cup start (day of England’s first game), hoping the news would end up buried.
- Reports: Arminia Bielefeld striker Robin Hack, who was linked with Celtic in the summer, has opened the door for a January move to the Scottish champions after admitting he would be willing to listen to offers for him
- Former Celtic defender & coach Kolo Toure is reported to be the favoured candidate of the Wigan Athletic board to become the club’s new manager
Summary
“It’s great to be here and see so much green and white taking over Sydney.”
Ex-Celt Scott McDonald
AP of KDS forum: All 100mph, plenty attempts, mostly powderpuff, with the occasional panic from a through ball? And lack of goals makes us appear a bit more haphazard and desperate?
This tends to happen every game, unless we get a couple of earlyish goals, and the opposition get demoralised.
If we had more clinical shooting, we’d make a better European impression.
Nice to hear Everton represented their league well, and managed to show why it’s the best league in England.
JB of KDS: Very good performance and shame we never got the win the performance deserved.
Dominated throughout the game and produced many moments of fantastic one touch football that was a joy to watch.
Bit of craic with the penos and hope we never have to see GG take one again, but highly unlikely for us getting to many in Scotland.
Overall very enjoyable and the bhoys done themselves proud
QSS of KDS: Played them off the park for 90 minutes then lost on penalties. Bit annoying, but a good performance. We really need to start improving our ‘chance to goal’ ratio.
The wee Irish “pitch side expert” for channel 10 said “Rangers aren’t even the second best team in Scotland anymore.”
Teams
Celtic:
Celtic: Hart, Ralston, Jenz, Starfelt, Taylor, O’Riley (Vata 85), Hatate, Turnbull (Abildgaard 85), Jota (Forrest 71), Haksabanovic (Abada 60), Kyogo (Giakoumakis 71)
Subs: Bain, Siegrist, Ideguchi, Bernabei, Robertson, Lawal, Welsh.
Goals:
Assists:
Everton:
Begovic (C); Patterson, Keane, Mina (Holgate 46), Tarkowski, Mykolenko (Vinagre 66); Doucoure (McNeil 46), Price; Gordon, Maupay (Cannon 75), Gray (Mills 75).
Goals:
Assists:
Ref:
Att: 41000
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
Match Links
Articles
Celtic close Sydney tour with penalty shootout defeat to Everton
By Ryan Maher in Sydney
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2022/november/20/Celtic-close-Sydney-tour-with-penalty-shootout-defeat-to-Everton/
Sydney Super Cup
Accor Stadium, Sydney
Sunday, November 20, 2022
CELTIC… 0
EVERTON… 0
Everton win 4-2 on penalties
Celtic rounded off their trip to Australia with a 0-0 draw before losing out 4-2 on penalties against English Premier League side Everton at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Built for the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000, over 40,000 fans – most of which in green and white – were inside the iconic venue to see Ange Postecoglou’s team in action.
The fans headed out after watching an entertaining draw with the Celts creating the best opportunities, however, it would go straight to a penalty shootout after 90 minutes and after Giorgos Giakouamkis and Reo Hatate missed, Everton left with the victory.
Celtic, looking to end their tour down under with a positive result, started positively with David Turnbull having the first effort on goal after four minutes which sailed over the bar from 20 yards.
The Hoops were putting Everton under severe pressure early on, keen to make amends for Thursday’s defeat to Sydney FC and almost took the lead moments later when Jota fired a dangerous ball across the box which went untouched.
Moments later, the Premier League side would have their first threatening moment, Anthony Ralston getting in the way of Demari Gray’s goal-bound shot from inside the area which would have tested Joe Hart.
On 11 minutes Frank Lampard’s team really should have taken the lead when Neal Maupay was sent through on goal from Vitalii Mykolenko’s through ball but he got his lob all wrong as it drifted over Hart’s but well wide.
The temperature inside the Accor Stadium for the afternoon kick-off was close to 30 degrees Celsius, a heat that required a cooling break at the halfway point of the first-half.
Straight from the restart, Celtic went on the offensive and their good play saw them awarded a free-kick to the right of centre on 28 minutes which Jota stepped up to take and the Portuguese winger curled it over the wall and saw the ball slam against the bar.
Ralston and Gray were enjoying a good battle down Everton’s left-side. The Scotland international was again there to divert the former Leicester City player’s shot on 32 minutes, which looked to be heading into the bottom right corner.
Despite the chances at either end, neither keeper had been tested. That was until the 36th minute when Reo Hatate played through Kyogo and he skipped past the challenge of Yerry Mina before forcing Asmir Begovic into a smart stop from 18 yards.
Then, right on the stroke of half-time, Celtic had two good chances to go into the break with the lead, first of all, Hatate had his own effort on goal from the 18-yard line which just whizzed over the crossbar, then David Turnbull smashed a free-kick from 25 yards which Begovic kept out.
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After closing out the first-half with big chances, a huge opportunity arose at the start of the second, as Haksabanovic was played in and behind the left-back by Ralston and he swept it across to the unmarked Kyogo, but Begovic raced across his goal to keep out the striker’s attempt from 10 yards out.
A deflected cross from Neal Maupay almost sneaked in past Hart a minute later, before Jota went close with a curling shot in an end-to-end opening 10 minutes to the half.
Both teams continued to create chances before the water break in the second period, with Jota racing down on goal after collecting an Everton back pass but Mason Holdgate raced back to stop the winger from getting a shot on goal.
Turnbull is always one to have a go when given an opportunity and he tried his luck again with 13 minutes to play but his effort lacked the direction and power to get back Begovic.
Rocco Vata came on for the closing five minutes and straight away he created a golden opportunity, nutmegging Nathan Patterson before playing it back to James Forrest and his shot was blocked just yards away from the goal.
Then a minute later, an even bigger chance fell to Liel Abada, this time Forrest crossing it back to the unmarked Israeli who couldn’t sort his feet out and sent the shot wide from six yards out.
With that came the final whistle and penalties to decide the winner, a content which Everton came out on top of winning 4-2 after Giakoumakis and Hatate both missed from the spot.
The Celtic team now heads off for a well-earned break, with no games until December 17 away to Aberdeen when the league resumes from the World Cup break.
Celtic: Hart, Ralston, Jenz, Starfelt, Taylor, O’Riley (Vata 85), Hatate, Turnbull (Abildgaard 85), Jota (Forrest 71), Haksabanovic (Abada 60), Kyogo (Giakoumakis 71)
Subs: Bain, Siegrist, Ideguchi, Bernabei, Robertson, Lawal, Welsh.
Fans have been the highlight of the tour for the manager
By Ryan Maher in Sydney
https://www.celticfc.com/news/2022/november/20/Fans-have-been-the-highlight-of-the-tour-for-the-manager/
A 0-0 draw with Everton rounded off Celtic’s trip to Sydney and the Sydney Super Cup, a week which saw the team play two games and connect again with the Hoops support down under.
After defeat on Thursday night to Sydney FC, the manager wanted an improved performance from the team, one he received in the game at the Accor Stadium against the Premier League side on Sunday, despite losing out 4-2 in penalties.
Speaking after the game, he said: “I thought in terms of our performance it was a lot more like us and I thought we played well and dominated the game.
“We didn’t get goals which is disappointing because you want to give some entertainment to the crowd.
“We looked more like ourselves and the lads have adjusted a bit more now, you could see in training yesterday they looked more like themselves and I thought we dominated the game, had the better opportunities but just lacked the goal, but overall a much better effort.”
The game was another opportunity to see the support for the club in Australia, with more than 40,000 people in the Accor Stadium, more than most wearing green and white.
The week in Sydney has been packed with more occasions like these, as the Celts have taken over the city and the manager was in no way surprised by the following on show.
He added: “It’s brilliant to see and that’s been the highlight for us. It didn’t surprise me but for the lads and everyone associated with the club, it’s great to see how much support our supporters have for the football club on this side of the world.
‘The distance doesn’t diminish the passion at all and it was great to see them all week, not just in the stadium but all around town with Celtic shirts everywhere.’
“They’ve made their impression and it’s great. I knew what to expect but it was just great to share it with everyone and for everyone else to see what I already know.
“It’s been a great week for our club, we’re a massive football club and a global brand and the more we grow in these kinds of regions and give back then we will get it back in spade loads.”
The football stops now for Celtic, with no games until December 17, allowing the players to take some time away from the game to rest and recharge.
But there’s no time to take the foot off the gas, as the manager wants to ensure the team comes back stronger from the World Cup break.
“It was just good for the boys to get away,” he said. “Whenever you’re in camp you get more chances to spend more time with each other.
“Just being in a different place, for a lot of the boys it was their first time in Australia and we had a great spot where they could wander around without too many people coming up to them, so they could relax which is good.
‘They get a bit of a break now which I think they need and then we need to go again.’
“I think the players are well aware of why we are giving them a break, it’s not to have a rest it’s to have a mental break from the schedule we’ve had.
“I know in the back of their minds they will be waiting to come back, we will train in Portugal and I’m sure they will come back really ready to go.”
Celtic pay the penalty as Kyogo and Abada sitters come back to bite against Everton – 3 Sydney talking points
Story by Michael Gannon
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/american-football/celtic-pay-the-penalty-as-kyogo-and-abada-sitters-come-back-to-bite-against-everton-3-sydney-talking-points/ar-AA14k4bm
Celtic went down in a shootout against Everton after impressing over a goalless 90 minutes but this will always be remembered as the Old Firm game that never was, writes Michael Gannon from the ACCOR Stadium.
The Hoops were due to square up with their fierce foes in Sydney today but the Ibrox club didn’t fancy being part of the Ange Postecoglou homecoming tour and the Toffees were drafted in instead. The punters enjoyed a party regardless and got to see their Celtic side look the part against the English outfit but just fail to add the finishing touches that would have secured a deserved win.
It didn’t come but Postecoglou got the reaction and performance he demanded at the sensational Accor Stadium – where he won the Asia Cup with the Socceroos in 2015. The manager was less than chuffed with his side against Sydney, but there were on it against the Toffees – and it would have been a comfortable win had Kyogo and Liel Abada buried a couple of sitters and made a ricket of the spot kicks.
Giorgios Giakoumakis ballooned one over the bar and Reo Hatate hit a post with the first two efforts and Joe Hart’s save from Stanley Mills wasn’t enough. And there was even an Old Firm element – with ex-Gers ace Nathan Patterson notching one of the spot kicks. The youngster relished the moment but he didn’t half have his hands full trying to tie down Jota, with the Portuguese in the mood to show off. The Scotland star managed to get booked in the kind of game where a hint of GBH would only merit a minor ticking off.
Send Haksabanovic was doing the same to his man on the other side as Celts completely bossed the opening period.
Matt O’Riley saw a couple of digs blocked, a lively Kyogo was denied by Asmir Begovic, while Reo Hatate lashed one just over. Everton were dangerous on the break and should have scored when Neal Maupay sneaked around the back of Carl Starfelt but scooped his attempted dink wide of the mark. There were some tasty tackles flying in for a friendly – none more so than Isaac Price’s eye-watering lunge on O’Riley.
It was just as well the Hoops playmaker managed to absorb most of the impact and the midfielder would have been up the tunnel if this had been a competitive clash. Celtic’s best chances in the opening half game from dead balls though, with Jota clattering the bar with a free kick and David Turnbull testing Begovic’s reflexes from another one just before the break.
The keeper brilliantly stopped Kyogo early in the second half after a superb Celtic move. Anthony Ralston opened up the Toffees with a terrific ball down the channel and Haksabanovic squared by the Japanese ace couldn’t lift the ball over the giant goalie.
O’Riley drilled over but Everton had chances too, with Maupay going around Joe Hart but hitting the side netting. Celts were still in control and could have sealed it at the end when James Forrest picked out Abada, but the attacker couldn’t wrap his foot around the ball deep inside the six yard box to set up the spot kicks.
Here’s 3 talking points from Sydney.
PREMIER LEAGUE CLASS
It’s always hard to properly judge in bounce games but this was an interesting encounter against a team with ambitions to be competing at the top end in England.
On this evidence Celtic have a good few players who could cut it at that level. Jota is more than capable and Scot Nathan Patterson won’t come up against many tougher opponents on a weekly basis in the EPL.
Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate world also stroll it while Sead Haksabanovic is another who wouldn’t look out of place at that level.
The money down south makes it the prime market for Celtic to punt players and these guys are top assets already.
Don’t be surprised if they get the chance to prove their Premier League class in the near future.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
It seems a bit harsh nip-picking after a friendly but there were some familiar sights for Celtic that might niggle at Postecoglou.
Like the lack of a cutting end at key times as a killer in the Champions League and there was a hint of it against Everton. Celts hogged the ball and got into some great positions, only toot quite pull it off at the final moment.
The Kyogo opportunity early in the second half was case in point as the little striker should have burst the net when he had just the keeper to beat. In fairness, it was a great save from Asmir Begovic but last season he probably would have stuck it away.
Perhaps the rest will be good for the hitman to polish up the shooting boots a tad for the rest of the campaign.
STAR STRUCK
A long-haul trek around the globe for a couple of friendlies might not be a lot of players’ idea of fun.
But this trip will have done the world of good for Carl Starfelt. The big Swede is one who needed the games after his long injury lay-off.
He still looks a tad rusty and there were a couple of ropey moments against Everton that could have been punished.
But he settled in to the match and it was a decent test up against a Premier League frontman such as Neal Maupay.
Moritz Jenz has forged a formidable partnership with Cameron Carter-Vickers in his absence and it’s going to be interesting to see who will get the nod when Celtic return to action.
The imminent arrival of Yuki Kobayashi will add more competition and it’ll be a decent fight for places in that part of Ange Postecoglou’s team.
Anthony Gordon scores winning penalty as Everton beat Celtic to claim Sydney Super Cup
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/everton-celtic-sydney-super-cup-25560554
Joe Thomas match report as Everton beat Celtic 4-2 on penalties to win the Sydney Super Cup after it finished 0-0 after extra-time
Sport
ByJoe Thomas
06:33, 20 NOV 2022
Anthony Gordon sent Joe Hart the wrong way to win the Sydney Super Cup for Everton.
The 21-year-old kept his cool from 12 yards out to finish a penalty shootout that the Blues were always ahead in. Michael Keane, Tom Cannon and ex-Rangers man Nathan Patterson had done the damage as Everton scored their first three spot-klicks while Reo Hatate and Giorgos Giakoumakis both missed the target for Celtic.
Stanley Mills saw his spot-kick saved by Joe Hart but it was not enough to stop the Blues from claiming victory after a match that had finished goalless but had saw both sides miss a host of chances. Frank Lampard’s team face Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday but take the title after winning the competition’s headline game.
The result followed a game that saw Celtic dominate possession but in which Everton also posed a threat on the counter. Ange Postecoglou’s team had the majority of the possession in the first half, the lively Jota and Kyogo Furuhashi buzzing in front of the Blues’ back line.
Jota created the first real opportunity of the match after Saed Haksabanovic set him free down the left. Jota pulled the ball across the face of goal but there was no team0mate to meet it.
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The pair were a constant source of menace and won a series of free-kicks just outside the Everton box. Jota curled one against the crossbar after Abdoulaye Doucoure delayed a clearance 20 yards out, allowing Furuhashi to get between him and the ball when he did decide to swing for it.
Minutes later a free-kick from a similar area fell kindly for Asmir Begovic after hitting the wall. It was a double let-off after Isaac Price escaped a booking for his lunge on Matt O’Riley to conceded the opportunity. Price was not booked for the challenge but replays on the big screens around the stadium – and the subsequent gasps of the watching crowd of 41,121 – revealed he was lucky he did not get at least a yellow card.
Byt for all Celtic’s possession they only created one clear-cut chance in the first half – Reo Hatate playing Furuhashi through on goal only for Begovic to parry his shot away.
Everton had their own chances and while they attempted to absorb pressure they repeatedly broke with purpose, creating the more meaningful opportunities. Demarai Gray saw a shot deflected just wide of Hart’s goal, James Tarkowski and Keane both missed the target with headers from corners, and Gray, played through by Gordon, cut in from the left and saw another shot deflected wide.
The best chance of the half fell to Neal Maupay, however. Midway through the opening period, Mykolenko, who with Tarkowski and Gray kept springing Everton attacks, played a delicious, curling through ball that set Maupay through on Hart’s goal. Hart rushed off his line and Maupay tried to lob him from the bouncing ball but saw his shot drift harmlessly wide.
In the second half the nature of the match changed. The Blues, already a centre midfielder down due to the knee injury suffered by Tom Davies in training, lost Abdoulaye Doucoure, who needed treatment after a first half coming together with Anthony Ralston. His departure at half-time led to Everton moving to 5-3-2 with Dwight McNeil and Anthony Gordon playing either side of Price, who displayed composure throughout the game with the exception of his challenge on O’Riley, and Gray supporting Maupay.
A frenetic resumption saw a flurry of chances as the overlapping Mykolenko played a ball across goal that just missed Gray, then Begovic produced a stunning point-blank stop from Furuhashi after Haksabanovic found him yards out.
Both sides caused trouble as the changes were made, Mason Holgate – who replaced Yerry Mina at half-time – producing an exceptional recovery after Jota was sent through on goal and Gray seeing a cross deflected goalwards but spinning just wide of the post as Hart scrambled to make up ground.
But the big moment came just two minutes from time as Liel Abada, just yards out, completely miscued with the goal gaping – paving the way for the penalties that followed.