Alessandro Del Piero will make his home debut for Sydney FC when they host the Newcastle Jets in front of an expected crowd of 40,000 at the Sydney Football Stadium this afternoon. We’ll have live scores and updates from 5.30pm AEDT.
Due to their high-profile off season marquee signings, Sydney FC and the Jets have both enjoyed the media spotlight in the lead-in to the season and as a result, expectations were high coming into last weekend.
Both teams managed to flop miserably. Sydney were never in it in their 2-0 loss at Wellington and the same can be said for the Jets after they conceded within the first minute against Adelaide, eventually going down 2-0 also.
Suffice to say, both teams have undergone somewhat harsher media scrutiny this weekend and for the losing coach, things could become uncomfortable if his team again fails to fire.
One major positive for the Sky Blues was the touch of the former Juventus starlet Del Piero.
In icy Wellington conditions and in spite of his teammates’ awful efforts to keep possession, Del Piero was able to show his class, which augurs well for this afternoon in what is expected to be perfect conditions for football.
With allocated tickets all but sold out as of Friday afternoon the crowd could very well nudge the 40,000 mark here. It’s been a long, long time since Sydney – or the A-League in general – has had such phenomenal interest in a regular-season match.
From Tony Pignata to David Traktovenko to Ian Crook to the boot strapper, everybody involved at Sydney FC will be praying for a successful afternoon that will see the majority return for the rest of the season.
They may very well get the chance if the Jets turn up like they did last Sunday. Against a side feeling the effects of a 33-hour sojourn back from Uzbekistan, the Jets were pensive, insipid and lethargic and gave barely a yelp in front of their own fans.
Gary van Egmond’s comments seemed to indicate he was satisfied with his team’s performance but if they continue to get results like last weekend he won’t enjoy them for too much longer.
Based upon last weekend it is difficult to get a read either way for this match. Neither side indicated that they were capable of winning a football match and now we have the intangible of the crowd.
Will Sydney FC rise to the occasion or will they get stage fright in front of a full house? It’s one of a host of questions going into this afternoons match and all in all it promises to be a belter. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEDT.
philk
Guest
Emerton is certainly not past it, he just has to be used correctly, del Piero is a class above,obviously, McFlynn does not belong in this team set up. I hope Crook is up to the challenge....if he is then Sydney will do ok this season.
philk
Guest
Who is Andy Griffiths?
Nathan of Perth
Guest
That was quite the day of football!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Emmo still has it, just need to put him in the mix.
jamesb
Guest
crowd was roughly 35,400 Sydney FC need bosschaart, antonis and culina back asap. If those three contribute, ISydney FC wil start to find some shape. Emmo, is past his best although he did deliver a nice cross to set up the goal for Powell Del Piero is brilliant. I hope that Sydney Fc can use the last half hour of play as a postive in going into the next match. That was their best period in the first two games so far.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
My opinion of Ryall might be coloured by the fact he replaced McFlynn, haha. Did help create some attacks though. Still refamiliarising myself with everyone's squads.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Emerton in the attack gives them an important second prong to the attack and creativity to complement Del Piero.
Titus
Guest
I thought Ryall was poor................ ADP, Emerton, Fabio, Abbas, Reid stood out for me. I watched on a crappy stream though so it was hard to tell who was doing what sometimes. Goodwin is class and sounds like Heskey went alright in the first.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Yes, Goodwin terrorised on the wing. Many stood up for Newcastle after last week's performance. That said, Newcastle's play last week was underrated by many.
MV Dave
Guest
SFC need to keep Reid in the team with Emerton further up the park...perhaps another defender is required. Terrific effort from ADP, Hesky and Goodwin in particular...enjoyed the game and occasion with 35,000 plus to see it. Great advert for HAL and next week the Derby with the 2 Sydenee teams at or near the bottom. :) Now for the important game MV vs BR...
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Zis is true.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I'd have had Goodwin above Griffiths, but fair call.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
It was a good honest assessment, even of his teams and own performance too. Sounds like a good bloke and a great leader.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Oh yeah, Ryan Griffiths, how did I forget him?
Titus
Guest
I missed the first half, but how much of that improvement in the second half do you think was from Reid replacing McFlynn?
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I think Fabio shows good flashes going forward, on defense hes a bit of a liability though.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Awfully community minded of him
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Del Piero says there were improvements tonight but there needs to be an ability to switch on from the first minute instead of waiting to fall behind.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Andy Griffith put in a lovely sales pitch to the Sydney crowd imploring them to keep coming out.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Top efforts from Neville, Zadkovic, Heskey and Kennedy. Del Piero, Emerton, maybe Ryall, for Sydney. Need more players and fewer passengers. McFlynn, McClernahan awful.