Brett Emerton and Nick Carle scored for Sydney FC but the Sky Blues could not find a third, losing 3-2 to Serie B side Padova in the club's first of five pre-season friendlies in Italy. Sydney drove two hours from its base in Jesolo to play in Padova at the Stadio Euganeo, where Alessandro Del Piero began his professional career in 1991.

Sydney fell behind early, allowing a goal in the 5th minute. Emerton's goal came in the 12th, benefitting from clumsy goalkeeping by Padova. The hosts reclaimed the lead just three minutes later after Sydney failed to clear a corner. The score remained 2-1 until the 80th minute when Padova scored its third. Del Piero was subbed out in the 84th minute but the Sky Blues won a penalty two minutes later. Carle converted in the 86th minute but it was not enough to complete the comeback.

Scoring:

Padova 5'

Sydney Emerton 12'

Padova 15'

Padova 80'

Sydney Carle 86' (pen)

Lineups:

Sydney FC: Janjetovic; Bojic, Ryall, Jurman, Warren (Triantis 76'); Emerton (Abbas 81'), Carle, Grant; Del Piero (Mallia 84'), Gameiro, Nikšić* (Chianese 76')

Unused subs: Necevski, Calvano, Tratt**, McFlynn, Bosschaart, Yau, Petkovski, MacDonald

* Vedran Nikšić is a 26-year-old Croatian striker who last played with NK Zagreb

** Jacob Tratt is a teenaged defender currently at Sutherland FC of the New South Wales Premier League