CARDIFF CITY WERE DEFEATED BY SUNDERLAND AT CCS ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
Erol Bulut made three changes to the starting eleven from last time out, with Ryan Wintle, Rubin Colwill and Callum O’Dowda coming in for Manolis Siopis, David Turnbull and Yakou Meite.
The Bluebirds came close after nine minutes when Josh Bowler hit the side netting after cutting in from the right wing and directed a powerful shot just wide of the right post.
Three minutes later, Adil Aouchiche put Sunderland ahead from the spot, after Jobe Bellingham was judged to have been fouled in the box by Dimitrios Goutas. Aouchiche sent Ethan Horvath the wrong way as he struck the ball into the top left corner.
The Black Cats doubled their lead in the 27th minute after Aouchiche flashed the ball across the six-yard box and Bellingham was there to tap in from close range.
In search of a response, Joe Ralls’ in-swinging free-kick was met by the head of Nathaniel Phillips, however his header was gathered by Anthony Patterson.
Throughout the second half, both teams struggled to create many significant chances as the two sides tussled over possession of the ball.
In the 80th minute, Goutas came close after he rose highest from the corner kick, though his header skimmed over the top of the crossbar.
The final whistle secured the victory for the visitors, with City unable to find an answering goal against Sunderland.
The Bluebirds return to action at 3:00pm on 1st April against Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
FULL TIME: CARDIFF CITY 0-2 SUNDERLAND
Cardiff City: Horvath, Ng, Goutas, Phillips, Wilson-Esbrand (Diedhiou 45’), Ralls (Robinson 64’), Wintle, R Colwill (Ramsey 45’), Bowler (Meite 76’), O’Dowda, Grant. Substitutes: Turner, Romeo, Siopis, Turnbull, Tanner.
Sunderland: Patterson, Styles (Hjelde 71’), O’Nien, Ballard, Hume, Neil, Ba (Dack 88’), Rigg (Mundle 71’), Bellingham, Ekwah, Aouchiche (Semedo 80’). Substitutes: Alese, Bishop, Burstow, Pembele, Roberts.