Saturday 27 July 2013, 1:30PM
Hong Kong Stadium Att:40,000
Barclays Asia Trophy
Referee:
Lee Taylor
Teams
Manchester City:
- Pantilimon
- Zabaleta
- Kompany
- Nastasic (Lescott 75)
- Clichy (Kolarov 62)
- Milner (Navas 46)
- Garcia
- Toure (Fernandinho 62)
- Silva (Nasri 46)
- Dzeko
- Negredo (Barry 79)
Unused subs:
Edin Dzeko’s superb half-volley secured a first piece of silverware of the season for Manuel Pellegrini as City beat Sunderland 1-0 in the final of the Barclays Asia Trophy 2013.
Dzeko also missed a 65th-minute penalty with a shot that could have cleared one or two of the local skyscrapers, but fortunately it didn’t prove too costly.
In a controlled and solid performance, the Blues showed glimpses of what may be to come in the coming months by looking stoic at the back, inventive and busy in midfield and a constant threat up front.
It was all the more impressive considering the atrocious pitch at the Hong Kong Stadium which deteriorated rapidly as heavy rain began to fall again shortly after kick-off.
But for all their hustle and bustle, the Blues scored with their first real attack – and what a stunning strike it was. A lofted ball into the box by David Silva, trying to pick Pablo Zabaleta’s run out, was cleared to the edge of the box by Wes Brown – but only to the lurking Dzeko who unleashed a howitzer of a shot that flew past the keeper and into the net off the post.
If the Bosnian, who also scored the winner against South China on Wednesday, was intent on proving his worth to Pellegrini, the trip to Hong Kong will have only justified the Chilean’s opinion that Dzeko can be an integral member of the squad for City this season - further reaffirmed perhaps by the Player of the Tournament award Edin picked up after this game.
His strike partner Alvaro Negredo was also lively and sharp and perhaps could have bagged a couple of goals in a first-half that the Blues dominated as time wore on – usually prompted by the impressive Silva who was looking refreshed and back to his best.
Jesus Navas made his debut as a second-half sub for James Milner and quickly found the conditions didn’t suit his white-hot pace as he battled to get a grip on the slippery surface, but when he did find his footing, he looked exciting and a real threat.
Negredo, busy all night, was left tasting mud after a clattering challenge from John O’Shea – thankfully neither Spaniard will probably ever experience a pitch like this again during their Premier League careers!
Midway through the second-half City really should have put the game to bed when Fernandinho, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, cleverly flicked the ball up past Ba and the Sunderland man instinctively put his hand out.
Referee Lee Taylor spotted the offence and awarded a penalty that Dzeko then hit high wide and (not so)handsome with one of the worst spot-kicks you are likely to see - with Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez now gone, Pellegrini will hope to quickly identify a penalty-taker before the season starts.
Matija Nastasic was stretchered off 15 minutes from the end after picking up an injury, Navas saw a shot cleared off the line by Gardner and Pantilimon was forced to make his first save of real note on 85 minutes - but otherwise City ended their time in Hong Kong with a satisfying display - and a trophy.
From the OS:
