After wins over Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart, Sydney FC can climb into third with a win over Wellington Phoenix in the first game of a Saturday night A-League triple header. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEDT.
The Sky Blues have eased the pressure on coach Frank Farina in the past fortnight, with two wins moving them back into the top six after six rounds of the A-League season.
Unsurprisingly, their return to form has coincided with Alessandro Del Piero coming back into the lineup after injury, and he’ll again be relied upon against the Phoenix this afternoon.
But for Sydney to effectively function over the course of 27 rounds they will need more from their other established stars – the likes of Brett Emerton, Richard Garcia and Nicky Carle.
Newly signed Serbian striker Ranko Despotovic could make his first appearance in a Sky Blues shirt, although Farina indicated that the former Urawa Red Diamonds frontman will come off the bench.
Wellington head to Sydney after a two-week break, with a number of Phoenix players serving on international duty in the All Whites’ unsuccessful two-legged tie against Mexico.
Glen Moss, Andrew Durante, Ben Sigmund, and Jeremy Brockie all come back in having played on Wednesday night, and Wellington’s fortunes could well depend on how well these players have recovered from a gruelling ten days.
While Wellington languish in ninth they have shown signs of promise in their five matches so far this season and perhaps deserve more than the three points they currently hold.
With Sydney still not particularly impressive, despite their wins, Wellington will head across the Tasman confident of taking at least a point back home with them.
For Sydney, this could be a chance to win three consecutive games for the first time in four years and inject some genuine momentum into their season.
Can they do it? Find out from 5.30pm AEDT.
Chad Bennett
Editor
4.30am is going to be a tough time, but I'll give it a crack. Should have played in the Friday night timeslot, 6.30am is far more palatable.
Zee
Roar Guru
Haha I might as well, I feel a positive way of energy hitting my clubs. Very, Very Lucky. Absolute Madness. Football. Bloody Hell
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
And they said there wasn't a resurgence at Sydney, wishful thinking from bitter haters if you ask me.
Jukes
Guest
Go and buy a lottery ticket Zee..............Jesus. How lucky
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Might be a good night of football! Gotta watch the Der Klassiker for sure.
Chad Bennett
Editor
Sheesh. Was a decent contest all the way through, but wasn't expecting it to jump out of the ground like that in the end! Sydney take the first of an A-League triple header tonight (that for those crazy enough leads into the Merseyside derby, and for the clinically insane might lead on to Der Klassiker between Dortmund and Bayern at 4.30am). Anyway, for now that's it from Sydney/Wellington, follow on with Melbourne Victory/Adelaide here.
Zee
Roar Guru
Jaysus .. that long? There is a really good feel around the club. Being horrid for so long, makes these sort of wins that whole lot sweeter
Chad Bennett
Editor
FULL TIME: Sydney FC 2-1 Wellington Phoenix Wow, that was an insane finish! Sydney were seemingly coasting thanks to Richard Garcia's 34th minute strike until a Pedj Bojic brain explosion meant Sydney would be defending with ten for the second half. The game changed immediately, and Wellington poured forward but looked like they'd missed their chance when Cunningham's equaliser was ruled out for offside - that was, until 30 seconds afterwards when he deftly turned in a corner. They'd looked like they share points until Ranko Despotovic popped up on debut and finished in the 93rd minute. Unbelievable stuff, and Sydney skip away with all three points and move to third.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
First time since 2009 it's as sweet as sugar!
Zee
Roar Guru
I cannot believe we just did that . This is crazy ... but like incredible. If Seb had put in that pass any later or earlier, things would've been different come FT. AHH THREE IN A ROW :D And that celebration after, beautiful sense of team unity
Chad Bennett
Editor
Wowowow!!! Absolutely crazy finish! Sydney catch Wellington short at the back, Ryall drives down the right and cuts the ball back to an unmarked Ranko Despotovic, who coolly turns the ball past an out-of-position Moss into an empty net!!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
What the hell!! That was unreal :)
Zee
Roar Guru
DESPOTOVICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CMONNNN :D .... THREE IN A ROW... SYDNEY FC ARE RISING CMONN :D Seb Ryall MOTM, absolute monster of a game
Chad Bennett
Editor
90 + 4′ Sydney FC 2-1 Wellington Phoenix SYDNEY FC GOLAZO!!!
Chad Bennett
Editor
90 + 2′ Sydney FC 1-1 Wellington Phoenix Could have nearly stolen all three points there! Again from the right, Fenton cuts the ball back from the right and Brockie hits a volley on the turn that is no more than half a yard wide!
Chad Bennett
Editor
It's been coming!!! From another corner, Cunningham gets a decisive touch from about eight yards out and with no-one on the back post, Janjetovic is rooted to the spot as it drifts into the corner!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
All class Cunningham wow!
Zee
Roar Guru
ARGHH DAMN IT ... We were so close to holding on :(
Chad Bennett
Editor
90′ Sydney FC 1-1 Wellington Phoenix WELLINGTON GOAL!!!
Chad Bennett
Editor
89' Sydney FC 1-0 Wellington Phoenix Disallowed goal for the Phoenix!!! Short corner from Wellington is clipped in behind and Cunningham stoops and heads powerfully into the corner, but it is ruled out for offside! On replay it looks like...Abbas maybe, maybe keeping him on from left back??