Wanderers hold Mariners to scoreless draw
By Angela Habashy, 7 Oct 2012
Related coverage
The Western Sydney Wanderers survived their A-League initiation unscathed, more than matching minor premiers the Central Coast in an entertaining stalemate to mark the first game of the club’s history.
While most predicted a baptism of fire for the Wanderers, who had only three months to assemble a team, it was the A-League newcomers who looked more impressive than the well-oiled machine that is the Mariners, creating more chances in the match that finished 0-0.
A crowd of 10,458 witnessed the historic first match at Parramatta Stadium with the rowdy Red and Black Block rivalling Sydney FC’s supporters’ Cove.
It didn’t take for last season’s minor premiers to get into a rhythm, both Mile Sterjovski and Pedj Bojic threatening with early crosses into the box and Thomas Rogic testing the Wanders defence with a dangerous shot within the first 10 minutes.
But it was the Wanderers who came closest to an early goal with former Sydney FC striker Mark Bridge forcing Mariners teen ‘keeper Matt Ryan into action.
Ryan was kept busy with local western Sydney product Aaron Mooy firing a long-range effort on target midway through the opening half.
Ex-Newcastle forward Labinot Halit had perhaps the best opportunity to open the Wanderers’ A-League account when he found himself one-on-one with Ryan but the Mariners gloveman was taking no chances, charging off his line to make the save.
It was a fired-up Wanderers that took to the field in the second half with Bridge forcing Ryan into action only a minute after the break.
Asian star Shinji Ono was brought on in as a 60th-minute substitute for Haliti and it didn’t take long for him to have an impact, threatening with a shot from outside the box minutes later.
Michael McGlinchey attempted to get the Mariners onto the scoreboard stinging the palms of Wanderers ‘keeper Ante Covic with only 10 minutes to go.
Wanderers Croatian striker Dino Kresinger could have clinched the winner in the dying minutes but sent his shot wide.
The Mariners had a flurry of last minute shots from McGlinchey and Mitchell Duke.
© AAP 2013Sport, all day long. Does this sound too good to be true? We're searching for a Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. If you're a sales star who doesn't mind a hit, kick, throw, or cycle, we want to hear from you. Apply now.
October 7th 2012 @ 9:47am
MV Dave said | October 7th 2012 @ 9:47am | Report comment
Well done to WSW for getting it all together in such a short space of time. Loved the look of the ground (pity about the rain and lack of cover) with a decent crowd and terrific atmosphere. It sure beat looking at the sea of empty blue seats at Skilled Park in recent seasons.
In his fairly brief cameo Ono certainly looked quality…unfortunately with Bridges and Haliti in attacking roles WSW ain’t gonna score many…
October 7th 2012 @ 10:25am
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | October 7th 2012 @ 10:25am | Report comment
I was very impressed with WSW,Popovich has got them extremely well organised.The midfield and defence looked very good i think their main concern is who’s going to put the ball in the back of the net for them.Haliti and Bridges are not going score bags of goals(as MV Dave already stated) and its hard to judge the Croatian lad off one game.They will however get great service, Mooy looked fantastic and Ono showed glimpses of his class,the guy out wide right whos name escapes me looked lively as well.For all GCU’s problems we mustn’t forget on the pitch they were very good in their first first season,perhaps WSW will be the surprise packet this season.I thought the sight of Robbie Slater trying to conduct an interview in front of the RBB before kick off was amusing,though the sight of some members of the RBB covering over their faces with scarves was a little pathetic,leave it out boys.
October 7th 2012 @ 1:35pm
nordster said | October 7th 2012 @ 1:35pm | Report comment
:rollseyes:
So what if they want to wear scarves over their faces …no harm unless u are watching cctv or somethin! Keep it up! The last thing a new group needs to hear is more of the fun police telling them they can’t wear what they want. I doubt the scarves will see much action at the height of summer anyways. And at least they are buying the merch!
October 7th 2012 @ 1:58pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | October 7th 2012 @ 1:58pm | Report comment
They can wear them if they like,but to me trying to look hard at an A-League game with the face covering is funny,i don’t see the point,you can’t support you team very loudly if your mouth is covered.The RBB were fantastic though they didn’t stop all night and the crowd in general was very good considering the horrible weather.The lack of roofing around our stadiums really is ridiculous.
October 7th 2012 @ 2:07pm
nordster said | October 7th 2012 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
October 7th 2012 @ 12:07pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 7th 2012 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
Whilst Ono only played 31 minutes, every touch was sublime. Let’s hope Emile will also deliver on the park. I get the feeling he’ll win Golden Boot this year.
October 7th 2012 @ 12:51pm
Sean said | October 7th 2012 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
The night was awesome. Had 500 odd in the RBB. The march to the stadium was epic. The pub was decked out in red and black, and was chockers full of Wanderers supporters.
The Wanderers have well and truly arrived.
October 7th 2012 @ 9:35pm
Wasp said | October 7th 2012 @ 9:35pm | Report comment
A good, not great start but the signs are there for some great encounters at Parra.
The game was disjointed but the first competative hitout was well worth the wet night.
The RBB were in full voice and made it very enjoyable.
Looking forward to the almost sold out Parramatta Road Derby with the Cove and the RBB giving us a real atmosphere not often seen in Sydney.
The old NSL Grand Finals of the Olympic and Marconi days are some that bring to mind good atmosphere and passion. The ends were grass and could fit I think about 26,000 back then.
Go the Wanderers.
October 8th 2012 @ 3:12pm
B.A Sports said | October 8th 2012 @ 3:12pm | Report comment
I watched this game.
Thought the crowd was disapointing despite the weather. Assuming they don’t go on a winning tear, you expect their first game will draw the big crowd and that they may slip from there. While a dubious10,000 is a solid A-League crowd, given the hype I was expecting sell-out (a little less with the weather).
Mariners were patchy I thought. At times their touch was really poor. Mooy has some goods skills, he lacks either speed or stamina though – not sure which yet. Seemed to be caught out positionally a few times by more experienced players leading to him having too foul.