Wanderers by name, Wanderers by nature. Tony Popovic’s side arrive back in Sydney Friday morning with a morale boosting win under their belts to face a Sydney FC side eager to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm (AEDT) to find out who will take bragging rights in the ninth Sydney Derby.
Rooted to the bottom of the A League table, the Wanderers squad arrive back in Sydney with fresh confidence after recording a 3-1 win against Kashima Antlers. Matthew Spiranovic believes the morale boosting win could help spark a late revival of their A-League season.
However if the Wanderers are to upset Sydney FC in Parramatta tonight, they’ll have to do it without Socceroo Spiranovic, suspended after being sent-off in last week’s injury time loss to Adelaide. Also missing from Tony Popovic’s squad is midfield enforcer, Mateo Poljak and injured Brendon Santalab – who may have played his last game this season after injuring his shoulder against the Reds.
The travel-weary Wanderers will be bolstered by the inclusion of Ante Covic, Iacopo La Rocca, Brendan Hamill, Romeo Castelen and Nikita Rukavytsya – all of whom were rested from the Asian Champions League game in Japan.
While Popovic may have come in for criticism for resting the five senior players from the Asian Champions League his gamble will pay off if his side can upset their local rivals.
Sydney FC arrive at Wanderland undefeated in six weeks and with the in-form strikeforce of the competition having bagged 15 goals since the mid-season Asian Cup break and Graeme Arnold says teams should be fearing Sydney’s attack.
The attack led by Bernie Ibini, Alex Brosque and Marc Janko, is so deadly they have been able to keep Shane Smeltz on the bench.
Smeltz, one of the A League’s most prolific scorers has come off the bench to score in his last two games and is banging on the door for selection in the starting eleven. Graeme Arnold could do much worse than starting the veteran striker tonight.
Following flashpoints in the last two derbies, Arnold has warned his side to put emotions aside and remain focused on winning the game where it counts – the scoreboard. “We’ve got to do what we can control, and that’s our own team. If we do that, I have the utmost confidence in the quality that we’ve got, that we can win the game,” Arnold told reporters during the week.
Popovic wouldn’t have missed how easy it was for the Mariners to get in behind the Sydney FC defence last week, so expect plenty of angled balls trying to beat the defensive pairing of Nikola Petkovic and Jacques Faty.
After eight Sydney Derby’s, honours are shared with three wins each and two draws. Both sides have different motivations to win this one; Western Sydney need three points to keep their season alive, Sydney must win to stay in touch with the top. And of course it’s a derby so neither side will want to lose.
Join The Roar from 7.30pm (AEDT) for live score updates and debate in our live blog to find out if Sydney is Red and Black or Sky Blue.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
And that's it. Chris Beath blows full time and Sydney get away with it to remain undefeated on the road this season. The Wanderers certainly made them earn it but for now Sydney remains Sky Blue as Sydney FC claim the ninth Sydney Derby. Another loss of the Wanderers and you can say they played well but they still walk away with nothing to show for it and that's all that matters. Meanwhile, Sydney break into the top four, two points clear of Wellington who will play tomorrow. Standout performance from Bulut for the Wanderers and some crucial saves from Vedran Janjetovic helped Sydney limp over the line. Till next time.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+3' Haliti hits it over Vedran's head but doesn't get enough on it and Jurman can clear. Why was Vedran coming for that? WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
It was blasted at him by Yusuke but Vedran stood tall. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90+2' GREAT SAVE VEDRAN! WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
90' Chance at the far post. Haliti can only find Vedran. It was a great delivery from Ruka who got the better of Grant and Vedran was caught out AGAIN, but Haliti couldn't control his header. Four minutes of added time. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
89' Ruka tries to beat Grant, But the man with two first names is awake to it and clears the danger. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
88' Ibini playing for time. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
87' Ruka again caught offside. It was looking like a promising attack for the Wanderers but they came unstuck. But Vedran's free kick was launched to no one and the Wanderers again attack. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
87' Antonis with another attempt on goal but he drags it wide. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
85' Sydney again defending deep. Wanderers well on top. Castelen with a chance ... but Vedran saves well. Have to say that it was great defending by Gersbach. Castelen looked like he was looking for contact but the youngster showed great restraint inside the box. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
83' Haliti is on for Yojiro. Can the Wanderers restore parity? WSW 3 4 SYD
Paul
Guest
Somebody build us a bigger stadium
billyelliott
Roar Guru
83' Tavares is off. Second yellow card for a tired tackle in the middle of the park. He tried to pull his leg out but there was just enough contact. Sydney determined to make it hard for themselves. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
19, 484 have squeezed into the little stadium in Parramatta tonight. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
80' Ten minutes to go at Wanderland. And Antonis fires over the bar. Plenty of space in the middle of the park and Dimi, Tavares and Antonis are finally seeing some ball after some the Wanderers intensity has dropped. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
78' Sydney will do well to hold onto this lead. They've wrestled their way back into the game after looking second best for most of this half. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
75' I was just about to say the game looked set to be exploited by some fresh legs and that play started with Grant standing up La Rocca. It found Antonis after some luck and a heavy touch by Hamill. WSW 3 4 SYD Wanderers have made a change - Gallaway is on for Golec.
jamesb
Guest
Great goal by Antonis.
billyelliott
Roar Guru
Goal TERRY ANTONIS! Low and hard across the keeper. WSW 3 4 SYD
billyelliott
Roar Guru
71' Smart scoop from Antonis into Tavares leads to a Sydney throw. Gersbach gets another chance but Wanderers remain strong at the back and they counter again. WSW 3 3 SYD