They were scenes that emphatically screamed football is alive and healthy in Australia.
In a sold-out Sydney derby at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, Sydney FC took all three points with a 3-2 win on a night of high drama.
The 41,213 fans set a regular-season attendance record in any sport at the venue, and they were vocal throughout an entertaining and, at times, spiteful encounter.
As is their wont, the Red and Black Bloc (RBB) made plenty of noise and their now customary flares made their way into the area behind the goals as the Wanderers ran onto the field, but it was Sydney FC’s fan group ‘The Cove’ who had the bigger of the moments, just like their team.
As a reminder that they have been here longer than the A-League new boys, they unfurled a banner as the Sky Blues came onto the pitch that read “West is just geography, Sydney is a state of mind!”.
That statement spoke loudest.
The “Sydney FC” chants were at times deafening, even from the confines of the media box – they roared loudest.
The game might have been played on the pitch but, in the stands, the battle was also on and it almost reached a flashpoint in the 69th minute when Wanderers Brazilian star Vitor Saba was given a straight red for a lunging studs-up challenge on Sydney FC midfielder Terry Antonis.
The Wanderers’ fans made a show of throwing bottles onto the playing surface in disgust as security earned their money, but again Sydney FC would not be outdone on the pitch or off it.
Ten minutes later, an old hero became one again when Alex Brosque scored the match-winner, beating Ante Covic one-on-one before running to the corner to celebrate. The Sydney FC fans joined him.
Members of The Cove streamed over the fence invading the pitch to celebrate with their heroes, taking the Sydney derby and proving football is a rising code in the harbour city.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Not sure if mentioned else where. But Perth now have a perfect record in the A-League, W-League, NYL and FFA Cup.
ciudadmarron
Guest
In the W-league too.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Please provide your interpretation of the tifo keyless, i'm all ears :lol: If the "state of mind" you guys refer to is Sydney FC's version - opera houses, glitz and glamour, count me out, is all I'm saying. Just find it interesting the turns the narrative of the derby is taking. Another tifo directed at us, gameiro, og, petkovic all more interested in giving to the westies as well, your corporate box types, the coach, all buying in... haven't heard "a team for all Sydney" in a while ;)
Matthew Skellett
Guest
thats a pretty neat chart there Mid :-)
keyless
Guest
"Doesn't resonate for many" What an interesting version of many you have? 25,000 last week, over 18,000 average last year when we were rubbish and many feeling more passionate about SFC than ever. What are you saying? Rating was 188k a record for a regular-season A-league match. over 230,000 people spectating and viewing a round 2 club football match in Sydney, who ever would have thought that possible??!!
Evan askew
Guest
Just wondering. Did the fence collapse resulting in the pitch invasion?
Midfielder
Guest
I have keep a chart you may like.. http://www.freewebs.com/midfielder/Rd%202%20Average%20Summary.htm.mht
j binnie
Guest
Mid - The 10 game aggregate total has increased from 176,754 to 196,095 ie 11%. Every club playing at home (Wellington excepted) drew a crowd larger than their average attendance fm last season. 3 identities faile to break the 5 figure gate,Perth,CCM and Wellington.jb
Midfielder
Guest
106, 082 crowd for the round a new record..
Josh
Guest
I'm not sure anyone would talk up that tifo, most people asked each other 'were we meant to be offended by that' ?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The truly amazing stat from last night: that crowd at the SFS was the highest crowd to ever attend a regular club sporting event at the SFS ... for ANY code. And there is still a huge untapped football market out there. The Giant has stopped hitting the "snooze" button.
James
Guest
Amazing atmosphere, but we could really do without the pitch invasions, especially one bloke who ran to the middle of the ground, in the state league teams get fined and are deducted points for that.
Realfootball
Guest
You have a valid point.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Would have been great to have on FTA but FoxSports deserves a lot of praise. Not it's fault no one else wanted to buy into this sport. If people miss it cause they can't afford Fox then so be it.
Catnap
Guest
You fta whiners get on my nerves when the cost of watching all the sport you can handle is $12/50 a week less than a packet of cigs or a couple of schooners go get a life!!!!!!
whiskeymac
Guest
Pity this wasn't the fta game this week.
striker
Guest
Mid that must be a record for a normal season game its a.shame these games are not on FTA.
Midfielder
Guest
Sat TV #ALeague #SydneyDerby 188k #CCMvWEL 51k #FoxSports
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Everyone i come into cotact with is talking about it CK -I would hazzard to guess that Syd Fc might seek out ANZ Stadium Trust to have their next turn at Dr H-a-c-k-in-a-bush ;-)
Cameron
Roar Guru
I don't have the stats with me but other than the A-League grand final I believe A-League history has been created. The Sydney Derby achieved a phenomenal 188k! The Mariners vs Nix achieved 51k