Perhaps not since John Aloisi rocked the SFS with a thunderbolt to win Sydney FC the Premiership on Valentines Day in 2010, and the grand final a few weeks later at Etihad Stadium, has there been a more anticipated Big Blue.
With Sydney FC showing signs of life, Alessandro Del Piero seemingly in the mood and the Melbourne Victory flourishing at the right end of the table, it’s an Australia Day offering that whets the appetite.
Primarily, the big question heading is whether Sydney FC are now the real deal, or still pretenders.
Last week’s comprehensive 7-1 thrashing of the Wellington Phoenix, with Del Piero dishing up a clinic in finishing, gives the club’s fans some hope they can finish off the season in style and take some momentum into the finals.
But to do so Frank Farina’s men will need a big improvement on their dismal away form.
To date they’ve only won two of their eight away games, picking up seven of a possible 24 points on the road.
While their early season home form was even worse, in recent weeks there have been signs of an Allianz revival, with three wins on the trot.
With six of their remaining 10 games away, there’s no doubt improvement is needed on the road if Sydney are to have any hope this season.
And it starts at AAMI Park on Saturday evening, where Sydney will not only be up against a red-hot opponent, but doing it at a stadium where the Victory are undefeated this season.
Indeed, the only time Ange Postecoglou’s men have lost at home this season was in the opening round derby, and that was at Etihad Stadium.
In front of what is likely to be a full-house at AAMI and with Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas sure to stretch their defence, it’s as stern a test as Farina and his men are likely to face.
Indeed, it’s the type of test that will tell us whether Sydney are right back in with a say on how the season will finish, or merely teasing.
Certainly, in the past few weeks and especially at home, there have been some much better signs.
While Del Piero created headlines around the globe, what was among the most impressive features in the hiding of Wellington was Farina’s use of Jason Culina in the number 10 role.
With Del Piero advanced of him, playing as a second or shadow striker, and the on-debut Joel Griffiths playing high in number nine role, Sydney had the look of quality in the front third.
Whereas throughout the season they have been so reliant on Del Piero to provide all the front third class, here they surrounded him with experience and football nous.
Culina’s role, floating around the front line, often finding space in the wide areas, especially on the left, was instrumental in allowing Sydney to stretch the Phoenix and create space for Del Piero.
While not quite back to the dynamic driving midfielder we often saw at Gold Coast United, Culina appears to be tracking in the right direction.
Indeed, his influence on Sydney’s front third here shouldn’t be underestimated.
Often he was seen drifting into the box, winning a controversial penalty before getting on the end of an Ali Abbas cross to volley home neatly with his left foot.
If he wasn’t in the box, Culina was influencing with a deft touch or two just outside it.
His link up work with Del Piero was a sight for sore Sydney eyes.
When Del Piero won a free kick outside the box on 37 minutes, Culina took a clever position just outside the box, ready to pick up any second ball.
Promptly enough, the ball was at his feet. In tight space, with one touch, Culina moved it on to his left, to Del Piero, who sized up Leo Bertos, dropped the shoulder and shaped another strike into the top corner.
While the finish was sublime, it was the prompt and accurate service from Culina that enabled Del Piero the room and time to size Bertos up.
It has been a shrewd tactical play by Farina to use Culina as an attacking number 10 rather than a defensive number six in recent weeks.
No doubt this was borne from a desire to not only have more creativity up front, but also not to burden him with too much defensive work.
Little doubt Del Piero will relish having a player of Culina’s quality close to him.
Often there was a seamlessness about the movement between them.
When Culina took up high and wide positions, Del Piero could be seen dropping back to influence the play.
While Culina and Del Piero were at their best, the other member of the attacking trio, Griffiths, also had a major influence.
Always taking up a high position, playing as a classic nine, Griffiths also showed some great link up play with Del Piero and Culina.
If he wasn’t playing off the shoulder of the defender, looking to penetrate in behind with a piercing run, like the opening goal, he was dropping off to link the play, often with just one touch.
When a ball came in from the flanks, Griffiths was there, attacking it, with head or feet.
Enabling the front third to flourish was a solid display from the midfield trio behind them.
Brett Emerton, in particular, was often seen close to Terry McFlynn, linking with a more simple pass rather than the complicated dribble we’ve grown accustomed to seeing.
While there was still too much space between McFlynn and his central defenders, there was at least some signs that Tiago Calvano could be a decent pick-up.
Indeed, his partnership with Sebastian Ryall looks to be the best bet from the central defenders at the club.
While Stein Huysegems threatened to get in behind them on a few occasions, they should be better for the hit-out.
The challenge for Farina as he heads to AAMI Park is to ensure there is enough defensive coverage in the middle of the field to combat a Victory side who like to flood the midfield.
At the same time Farina won’t want to sacrifice his own attacking strengths.
While his front three at least gives him some hope of creating consistently, the challenge at AAMI will be to control a rampant Victory midfield, and get on the ball themselves.
Allowing any space for Marcos Flores and Billy Celeski will be a recipe for disaster, especially with Marco Rojas sweating on any ball in behind left back Fabio.
Postecoglou will look to expose that weakness often.
In that sense, a return for Peter Triantis might be on the cards for Farina.
If Sydney can somehow find a way to control the middle of the park, and play with a compact, high line, their front trio gives them hope.
It’s a big “if”, but for Sydney FC to prove they are the real deal, a well-organised showing in the Big Blue would go a long way.
mahonjt
Guest
Akward..........
James Johnson
Guest
Stab kick to Stab Punt in 1949, by15 yeas old School kid. THE STAB PUNT. The authors have “COINED” the term "stab punt". Page 64 & 65 THE SCIENCE OF KICKING 2007 Geoffrey Hosford. & Don Meikle. B.I.P.E. Publications. Forward by DAVID PARKIN. The term STAB PUNT was”COINED” 58 years after Jim invented it. Part of Face to Face: "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives" Muddy Conditions Countered. Johnson was outstanding in the mud with clever turning and accurate disposal. Ringwood Mail, 1951. In 1949 Mt Evelyn football ground’s surface was uneven and often very muddy. Studying Jack Dyer’s drop-punt, 14-year-old Mt Evelyn player Jim Johnson adapted it into a field pass in 1948. Then, at 15, Jim invented and used a low, fast punt kick known as a ‘stab-punt pass’ or Daisy Cutter. Journalists didn’t know what to call Jim’s techniques. Frank Casey wrote in The Post on 8 Sept 1960, ‘Johnson sent his delightful little drop punt pass direct to Mansfield’. The same day Davey Crocket reported in the Ringwood Mail, ‘Johnson should write a book on stab kicking. He has found the lost art.’ This story was researched by The Mt Evelyn History Group for The Yarra Ranges Regional Museum exhibition of October 13, to November 13, 2011 Jim Johnson’s Drop Kick to a Drop Punt field pass, at full pace, in 1948, and Stab Kick to Stab Punt, at full pace, in 1949, An Australian Rules football Development. In 1948 aged 14 Jim tried the Jack Dyer, “gets goals with the sillies looking kick in football history” page 49 and pictured page 50 in The Sporting Globe FOOTBALL Book 1948, and found it unsatisfactory. Jim revamped it into his format by kicking the ball close to the ground and definitely not dropping the ball vertically. The Stab kick discovered in Tasmania in 1902. So from 1902 no one did anything extra with the stab kick till Jim, a school kid, converted it into a stab punt in May.1949. 1949: the stab punt invented. Jim Aged 15 years, 5ft 2in(157.48 cm.), weighing 8 and 1/4 stone (52.5 kg). and playing for the Mount Evelyn First Eighteen in the Yarra Valley Football League, where Jack Dyer commenced his football with Yarra Junction. Jim declared to himself. As I can kick a drop punt as a field pass at full pace, why not convert the stab kick into a stab punt. It took Jim around two weeks to adjust the split second timing to kick the ball just before, instead of just after, it hit the ground. See “Jim Johnson stab punt” on Google.
clayts
Guest
Jesus, Syndey thrash the wooden spooners and now their premiership contenders. Wow. Their defence was horrible against Nix. If Phoenix had have finished better, Sydney would have let at least 4 in. At home. Against the bottom placed side. Perhaps reign it in?
Peter Wilson
Roar Guru
As a passionate SFC fan, I'd take a draw now if you are offering. MV are very hard to beat at home and SFC will do very well just to score the same number of goals. But this is football and upsets do happen, As much as I can influence the outcome with my Foxtel remote control, I'll be doing all I can to help SFC win. Should be a great game and will be hard to beat the atmosphere. I hope the Foxtel crew pump up the crowd volume and turn down Robbie Slater and Andy Harper.
Titus
Guest
I know MVFC are playing some pretty football and managed to smash PGFC 1-0, but they must be getting excited about getting to watch some genuine football stars down there.
Robbie
Roar Pro
This is the real test of Sydney's season. After crushing the Nix 7-1 last week we are very unlucky to come up the in form team of the A-League in Melbourne Victory. If we can win this game I have high hopes for the rest of the season
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
jb That's a good idea if - and only if - all available tickets are sold. The only problem is that it could cause issues if fans forget to contact the club - although with a variety of communication systems available it is a lot easier now than 10 years ago. If MVFC can increase Membership to 23-25k, it's definitely worth considering. At those levels of Membership, there would only be 2k tickets available for sale to the public (5k tickets are reserved for sponsors, promotions & business partners).
Livio
Guest
Decent analysis Tony but SydneyFC real problems are in the defensive end. If SydneyFC can hold MVFC to a draw I'll be pleasantly surprised.
j binnie
Guest
Fuss - Just a bit of info that may help raise a bit more revenue.Going back some years ago I had a member of Rangers FC explain to me how their system worked. When purchasing a ticket the purchaser had to agree to notify the club 2 days before the game if he was going to use the ticket. If he did NOT do this his seat was automatically moved to "available" seating.Can't really say how well this system worked but it obviously solved the problem of empty seats. Yours jb
Midfielder
Guest
Latte sipping plastic hacking franchise . Want them to go on a run and miss the finals on goal difference just to see Harper and the rest of the Sydney FC network (sorry, Fox, SBS) crying in despair.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
I think we are well on the way in doing that... don't forget to smile on your way down when you pass us...
SVB
Guest
I think you should try avoiding the wooden spoon first, before you fry those big fish ;)
Crown77
Guest
Hopefully MVFC smash the Smufs! A team that suffers 7 goals is and will always be a fragil team and can never be taken serious, it has been proven in championships all around the world!
Titus
Guest
Agreed Tony.
Titus
Guest
Man it is going to be fun beating you guys, Fuss!
Cameron
Roar Guru
I think you clearly missed my point Fuss. I wasn't trying to create a statistical argument based on outliers, I was simply suggesting that current form and individual results would not necessarily decide a match. as we are coming to the pointy end of the season, and all teams are racing for spots in the top 6, that desire and will to win can become more important factors then form alone.
stanofheart
Guest
Victory 4 Sydney 0
CmonJETS
Guest
Saturday has a string of must watch matches, by far I am interested in the outcome of victory v sfc. Without a doubt I will be rooting for the smurfs even though a win will heap preassure on the jets. Mvfc are becoming a must watch team and now are playing with enough skill and arrogance to be easy to hate, in true aussie tradition, on Australia day no less....cmon the underdog. Good luck smurfs.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
MVFC has 18,000 members/season ticket holders. This year, the club has set up a system where members can "sell" their unused seats back into the system. For instance, my brother, who is a Reserved Seat member, can't make it on Saturday night. As it stands, his seat will remain vacant on Saturday night. However, if he wanted, he could inform MVFC - they will void the barcode on his Season Tix for this match - & his Reserved Seat will appear on Ticketek.com for someone to buy for that 1 match only.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Thanks, TomC - you summed it up beautifully. If MVFC were conceding 4 & 5 goals every week, I wouldn't arbitrarily eliminate the BNR & ADU losses as possible aberrations - they would be the norm. Similarly, if SydneyFC were consistently scoring 5 or 6 goals per game I wouldn't dismiss SFC's 7 goals against NIX.