Disappointing result for the Wanderers who were well in control. Ruka with at least 4 chances, Bridge with a few as well but Sydney’s goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic with some incredible saves.
They looked much more like the Wanderers of the last two seasons which will be seen as a positive but they remain close to the bottom of the table.
For Sydney, you sense they’ll take the point. They miss the chance to go third but stay in touch with the Glory and Victory. Much better second half and they maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
FINAL SCORE:
Sydney FC 1
Western Sydney Wanderers 1
The Western Sydney Wanderers are rooted to the bottom of the A-League table after a disastrous start to the season and they’ll be looking to the RBB to help them kick-start their season against an undefeated Sydney FC side flying high on confidence. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEDT).
When Nikolai Topor-Stanley leads the Wanderers out against Sydney tonight, it will have been nearly a month since they were crowned champions of Asia in Riyadh.
Since that night in the Middle East, Tony Popovic’s side have picked up only two points from a possible 12 and, incredibly, are without a win this season.
Despite the two disappointing results against the Mariners and the Newcastle Jets, Popovic remains confident that his side is getting back to their best.
Certainly the signs were better early on against a dire Jets outfit last week. And with Romeo Castelen beginning to find his feet, along with fellow visa player Victor Saba, it’s only a matter of time that it clicks for the Wanderers.
The Wanderers will have added motivation heading into this one, after letting a two-goal lead slip in the first version of the derby at Allianz Stadium earlier this season. But they’ll need more than good intentions to beat their cross-town rivals who are are undefeated and part of the top four that are beginning to put daylight between them and the rest of the competition.
Sydney will be without their classy playmaker Miloš Dimitrijević, suspended after a questionable second yellow card against Melbourne City, meaning more will be expected of Terry Antonis in the Sydney midfield.
He will be supported by Sydney’s imposing centre halves Nikola Petkovic and Sasa Ognenovski who returns following a hamstring injury that saw him miss last week’s win against City, while captain Alex Brosque and marquee man Mark Janko will look to continue their rich run of form.
Graham Arnold has lit the fuse for the derby by declaring Wanderland isn’t an intimidating ground, so you can expect the RBB will have a rousing reception for the Sky Blues when they hit the park, but will it be enough to lift the Wanderers to their first win of the season?
Join The Roar tonight at 7:30pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog to find out in what will be another cracking encounter between the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC.
Aethelbert
Guest
Keep dreaming little buddy, you're on 3 points and we're undefeated, get a grip on reality.
Josh
Guest
We outplayed the team that is supposed to be one of the last 2 standing. They won't make the finals.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Good Derby tonight. WSW were awesome I thought in that first half. Some really great passages of play let down by some typically poor finishing. Really happy with just about every player on the pitch. Second half was fairly flat for the most part but we remained strong at the back but lackluster in the midfield. Ruka's game is starting to get come together. La Rocca and Poljak were a lot better tonight but I think one of them might need to sit out midweek. Bring on Wednesday night's Grand Final replay slash Desperation Derby. Last time we'll get to see the boys before they go to Adelaide and then Morocco. The minute of applause was a nice touch but the pain of losing Phil Hughes still remains.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
SFC deserved that goal... Ranko deserved that goal... unlucky to hit the crossbar at the death...
billyelliott
Roar Guru
And that's it. Peter Green blows fulltime at Pirtek Stadium. Final result WSW 1 1 SYD Disappointing result for the Wanderers who were well in control. Ruka with at least 4 chances, Bridge with a few as well but Sydney's goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic with some incredible saves. They looked much more like the WSW of the last two seasons which will be seen as a positive but they remain close to the bottom of the table. For Sydney, you sense they'll take the point. They miss the chance to go third but stay in touch with the Glory and Victory. Much better second half and they maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Thanks for following, til next time.
Gareth
Guest
If that had gone in, what a finish that would have been to the 8th Sydney derby
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+2' Naumoff wins a free kick within range for Petkovic. Adeleke collects a slice of cheese for the tackle. Naumoff had Antonis in support but just couldn't find him. But it's Janko who lines it up. Hits it .... beats Covic and it cannons off the cross bar. What a strike. Goal kick Wanderers. Sydney making a change, Smeltz off for Jurman. WSW 1 1 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90' Ruka puts on his afterburners and breezes past Ryall but his touch takes him too close to Janjetovic who saves again. Plenty of support for Ruka but he just hasn't been able to capitalise tonight. Into added time. Sydney with a free kick. Delivered low and hard and Grant wins a corner for the Sky Blues. WSW 1 1 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
87' What's Janjetovic thinking? He comes for the clearance but misses and is helped out by his captain and then Janko to clear the ball. Sydney living dangerously. WSW 1 1 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
85' Seb Ryall with a misplaced pass and Ruka sets off. He shoots early and Janjetovic tips it over. Wanderers corner. Janjetovic cleans up the ball (and Mark Janko in the process). Wanderers fans boo. WSW 1 1 SYD
jamesb
Guest
Crowd 19,138.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
82' Naumoff gets his chance, replacing Ibini who has succumbed to cramps. WSW 1 1 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
80' The pace has gone out of the game now, which seems to suit Sydney who are being afforded some more possession. Who will stand up and be the hero? And here is the Poznan. WSW 1 1 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
76' Sydney with consecutive corners. Have the Wanderers run out of puff? Peter Green has found a foul in there somehow so a let off WSW. WSW 1 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
71' Ibini with a chance but unable to get any power out of his tired legs. Sydney with a corner. Smeltz hits a nice volley but Covic is on hand to tip it over the bar for a second corner that is cleaned up quickly Meanwhile Seb Ryall picks up his yellow card, his 5th of the season, after a tough challenge on Saba. Popovic takes the opportunity to make his final change with Baccus on for La Rocca WSW 1 1 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
70' Change for WSW, Shannon Cole comes on for Hamill who was forced off through injury. WSW 1 1 SYD
jamesb
Guest
WSW need to be desperate here. They need the three points. They need a goal ASAP.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
65' Corner for the Wanderers. Ruka sends it deep and Spiranovic jumps high but can't direct his header. Change for Western Sydney, Castelen replaced by Saba. There'd be a few Sydney defenders happy to see the back of the Dutchman who really looks like he's hit his straps. Has created plenty of opportunities tonight. Be interesting to see how Saba fits into the formation.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
63' The crowd is upstanding and raucous applause is breaking out for Phillip Hughes. Spine tingling stuff. Goosebumps. #forever63notout
billyelliott
Roar Guru
Sydney FC will settle for a point I'd think,