Amid all the excitement generated by Saturday’s sold-out Sydney derby, the elephant in the room is the ugly racial vilification incident which marred the last time Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers clashed at Allianz Stadium.
Sydney’s Ali Abbas accused Wanderers opponent Brendon Santalab of racial abuse on March 8 last season, and although the case was ultimately dismissed by a disciplinary committee, there was a lingering bitter taste left by the unsavoury allegations.
There’s no denying the A-League blockbuster between Sydney’s east and west has quickly become one of the city’s headline sporting contests, with the latest installment shaping as the biggest yet with the Wanderers on the verge of a historic appearance in the Asian Champions League final.
However, the A-League should be concerned about the spirit in which the game is played.
The bigger occasion, the bigger the fallout if ill-feeling spills over, as evidenced in March.
Asked if he was concerned about Saturday’s blockbuster being overshadowed by a repeat of last season’s troubling allegations, Wanderers coach Tony Popovic was very quick to dismiss.
“No,” was all he would say.
Asked if he would have any specific instructions for his players on how to manage inflamed passions on the field, Popovic was equally curt.
“No.”
The coach might be playing it down, but all eyes will be on Abbas and Santalab should they both take the field on Saturday.
Santalab started in the Wanderers’ shock 4-1 hammering at the hands of Melbourne Victory last week, while Abbas is backing up from international duty for Iraq during the week.
It was reported at the time that Abbas was understood to be “extremely upset” by the disciplinary hearing finding his allegations as inconclusive due to crowd noise at the game.
The Wanderers were a little more forthcoming on the other elephant in the room, which is whether they’re already thinking about their Asian Champions League Final against Al-Hilal on October 25.
Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold kick-started the mind games by suggesting it would be almost impossible for the Wanderers to not have one eye on their looming challenge.
Popovic conceded the final was on their minds, but denied it would cause any distraction.
If the Wanderers were to go down on Saturday they would go into the first leg of the ACL final off the back of two losses, but Popovic said his team’s motivations were purely on beating Sydney FC in a derby which has become one of the biggest matches of the season.
“Our focus is really on the derby but we are in a final so you can’t dismiss it totally,” Popovic said.
“We learnt some harsh lessons last week and we’ll definitely be a better team tomorrow.
“They’re special games. Derbies are different. Not just the atmosphere but the intensity of the game is different and everyone should look forward to it. Both sets of fans and players alike.”
“I’m surprised how quick it’s got (so big).
“The crowds keep growing and long may they continue.”
DERBY HISTORY
Wanderers 3, Sydney FC 1, drawn 1
Last start: Sydney FC won 3-1, 2014
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Sydney FC's Joe Lolley defended Ivan Vujica after the Bull was sent off for a challenge in the first half that had the players…
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Phillip Cancar’s rather comical and momentarily delayed dive in the 36th minute of Newcastle Jets 3-1 win over Sydney FC on Sunday was a…
