A Nikita Rukavytsya winner in the dying minutes has delivered Western Sydney Wanderers a 3-2 victory over Melbourne City, their elusive second win of the season finally lifting them off the bottom of the A-League ladder.
The Wanderers fought back twice to level at Parramatta Stadium with a goal from Mateo Poljak and a converted penalty from Tomi Juric cancelling out strikes from City’s Safuwan Baharudin and Aaron Mooy.
But Rukavytsya secured victory deep in injury time for the weary Wanders who had lost their past three games amid a hectic schedule.
City, who were desperate to regain a top-six spot, remain seventh after back-to-back defeats.
With the Wanderers playing their third game in a week and to face title contenders Melbourne Victory on Friday, coach Tony Popovic fielded a vastly changed side to that which lost to Brisbane on Sunday.
After severe passing storms delayed kick off by an hour, it was City who had the better of the opening stages when the action finally got underway.
It seemed only a matter of time before City broke through and Baharudin put them 1-0 up in the 28th minute.
Patric Kisnorbo had his header cleared off the line by Wanderers midfielder Yojiro Takahagi and when the rebound fell to Baharudin he made no mistake.
Poljak found the equaliser in the 38th minute after Labinot Haliti played a great ball into the box.
Juric’s initial shot was blocked before the Croatian midfielder levelled off the rebound.
Juric looked like giving the Wanderers the lead in the 63rd minute with a powerful free-kick but was denied by a great save from City gloveman Tando Velaphi.
The Wanderers began gaining momentum with Juric, who launched onto a great ball by Takahagi, drawing another save from Velaphi.
But just like that City regained the lead a minute later.
Dead-ball specialist Mooy, who was playing his first game at Parramatta Stadium since leaving the Wanderers last season, put City 2-1 up in the 71st minute with an explosive free-kick.
But the Wanderers would level again minutes later when Connor Chapman conceded a penalty for bringing Juric down in the box, the Wanderers striker converting from the spot in the 78th minute.
City ended the game with 10 men after Chapman earned a straight red card for manhandling the referee.
But Rukavytsya would have the final say when his sweet strike in injury-time ensured the three points for Western Sydney.
j binnie
Guest
For those debating the issue of WSW's crowds. In their first year year they averaged 14,860 over their 13 home games The next year they averaged 12,466 over their 14 home games. This year to date they are averaging 14,040 over 9 home games. Their "best" crowds in those 3 season's have been the derby matches against Sydney FC being 18,084,19,126, and 19,484 this year. Cheers jb
AZ_RBB
Guest
During the 14/15 season tickets to WSW home games were very difficult to come by. MVFC fans can attest that when this happens, it common for final attendance to be well below capacity due to season ticket holders not turning up. Attractiveness of football is a much smaller factor in regards to crowds when compared to success, community engagement and game day experience.
langou
Roar Guru
Geez, I hope Victory don't have a year where they fail to play attractive football. According to Fuss, all the fans will stop following them. They may all become City fans.
Uncle Junior
Guest
Were WSW crowds that good early on? Sure they pulled more than 10k for their first ever match in A-League then, apart from the Sydney Derby, Wanderers averaged under 9k for the next 5 home games. Victory's crowds in their first year were much stronger and the team finished 2nd bottom & were never in contention for finals. I don't think Victory ever got a crowd lower than 10k at Olympic Park. For all the hype, Wanderers' crowd numbers at home are nothing special for a team that's finished 1, 2 and are Champions of Asia. If MelbCity had the achieved the same success as WSW, I guarantee MelbCity would be pulling higher average crowds than WSW. And, remember, 3 of the 9 opponents for WSW are NSW Derby matches - an easy drive by car.
langou
Roar Guru
Maybe we are ahead of our time and playing 22nd century football.
AZ_RBB
Guest
How do you explain WSW getting strong crowds in its first 2 seasons despite being very defensive football?
Uncle Junior
Guest
If Perth started playing decent 21st century football crowds would return. But based on the rubbish I saw Perth playing last Saturday, I can't imagine 15k people will turn up to the match unless they all come to watch Wellington produce their A-League party tricks. Unless Wellington's players are severely jet-lagged I'd expect Wellington to win with ease.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Alessi has handled some tough tasks in the past. I trust him to do it again tonight. Perth v Wellington will hopefully be a big game in front of an equally big crowd in Perth. If they can't get 15k to a game like this, then I don't know what it will take to boost the ALeague in the smaller cities. Expecting helter skelter physical affair on Saturday night. Keogh to score and be sent off.
Franko
Guest
Up front WSW look good with Ruka, Juric and Bulut but if they aren't getting serviced it makes it very hard., perhaps Nicky Ward can be that guy? WSW should allow MV to control the play and hit them on the counter tonight, it'll be a really interesting match for the neutral. Expect poor Alessi to have his hands full with Khalfallah........ It is going to be a tough road for Bulut in Australia, he'd have to cut ties with all those negative influences which may include family but that is the sacrifice he must make to fulfill his potential. Hopefully for the lads own sake he can get a transfer back to Europe and make a career out his talent.
Bondy
Guest
AZ @ Franko You may also notice the main overview Tab here at The Roar there's no mention of an A League table or upcoming fixtures there is for every other sport though ? . The A League's been put to bed since the proper sports have resumed ....
Bondy
Guest
I think The Roar have decided that there's no need for previews for upcoming HAL matches, the proper sports have resumed ? ....
AZ_RBB
Guest
WSW turned a corner? Don't believe so. We were appalling for large parts on Wednesday night especially at the back. Bulut? He is available for selection. Police are still looking into his matter. I doubt he'll get much more than a slap on the wrist despite his priors. The club need to reel him in before he goes back to his old ways. On the field, the issue is our midfield's inability to give him any service.
Franko
Guest
Agreed, a preview of the weekends games is sorely missing. Well done on the predictions last night, AU did scrape it home, nothing too promising for the finals. Will be very interesting tonight, have WSW actually turned the corner? Am hoping so, is Bulut up for selection?
AZ_RBB
Guest
No A-League previews or discussion? Really keen for tonight despite the obvious gap between the two teams. It's always a good occasion when the two teams meet. Last match was a fairly even contest, thanks mainly to MVFC under performing. WSW have been scoring relatively freely of late but our defence has been comical at best. Ideally would love to see Topor and Spira start. Alessi on one side and Tanaka on the other. Golec will be torn to shreds by MVFC's attack if he is to play. Poljak will be a huge loss, especially in defence. MVFC missing Barbarouses and Geria but I expect FBK, Finkler, Pain and Berisha will cause us enough headaches. Hearing that a decent number of MVFC fans will be travelling up for the game. Looking forward to a great atmosphere at the game.
j binnie
Guest
Waz - A very well observed free kick that upon reading reminded me of the "wonder goal" scored by Sydney against the Roar when the big centre had what we used to call an "....hole winder" at the ball and it went into the unguarded net on the first bounce. Getting back to the game itself,one would have thought that by the end of the match it was Melbourne City that had been doing all the travelling,they looked to be a lot more "weary" than the victors. jb
AZ_RBB
Guest
I think it might be closer than people might expect. CCM have a resilience about them that can often frustrate teams like Adelaide. Obviously Adelaide will be the clear favourite. Are we expecting a decent turnout?
Bondy
Guest
SportsFanGC That's what I call a stacked deck those players ,perhaps they could be dispersed around the league . Franko Yes Adelaide will win though just .....
Franko
Guest
Any love for AU v CCM tonight......?
Waz
Guest
:)
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
Bondy why wouldn't the MLS want those three superstars at NYCFC? Does their Marquee System allow for 3 salaries outside the cap or is it a case that Villa and Lampard are paid outside the Cap and Hernandez is taking up a huge portion of the Cap? Either way the MLS can't change the rules for one Club because the Owners have insanely deep pockets meaning that Marquee players can essentially be paid European Wages.