After much anticipation season 11 of the A-League is back in action. Both Sydney FC and Melbourne City will be determined to get things rolling in the new season when they meet at the Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar from 7:15pm onwards for live scores and commentary.
A lot has changed since these two clubs met in Round 1 last season. Both teams goal scorers are now wearing different colours: David Villa is currently in New York, whilst Corey Gameiro switched to City.
Both clubs also had to say their goodbyes to their strikers – Sydney lost Marc Janko with City’s Josh Kennedy retiring. Janko’s departure in particular greatly rocked the league, his dominance and precision up front will surely be missed.
In what is set up to be a thrilling Saturday night encounter, both teams will be keen to get things going right from the onset of the season. Sydney and City both played finals last season and will be out to rectify their exits with a successful 2015-16.
Both teams utilised the off-season to their advantage; their squads have been strengthened and with new reinforcements a top half finish will be the minimum expectation.
Melbourne City released many of the ageing stars, giving way to some surging talent. However, unfortunately for City fans, three of their new recruits will not take part in the opening match, as Ivan Franjic, Aaron Hughes and Corey Gameiro will be sidelined.
Excitingly however, Michael Zullo, Wade Dekker, Bruno Fornaroli and Thomas Sorensen all make their debut for City.
Melbourne City’s pre-season work indicates that they will not be happy just falling into the top six this season, as they intend on bringing home some silverware and making some noise of their own.
Sydney FC have meanwhile put last year’s grand final loss behind them as they look to improve on last season and surge towards another title.
The Sky Blues have responded to the departures of goal scoring threats in Janko and Ibini through the reinforcements of Serbian international Milos Ninkovic as well as new marquee man Filip Holosko, both of whom have been listed on the team sheet to face City.
The opening fixture will give fans a good insight into the talent of Sydney’s new recruits, as their new stars will be keen to make an immediate impact on the field and among fans.
The Sky Blues have also done well in pinching some quality domestic players with the likes of Andrew Hoole and Matt Simon, who will also take part in the match.
The last five meetings between the two sides have been very even with both teams enjoying two victories, two defeats and one draw. All five encounters have been tight, with only one goal separating them.
This match will nonetheless give Sydney a chance to improve on their form at home from last season. The Sky Blues only managed four wins and four draws out of thirteen home matches. It remains vital for Sydney to make their home a feared fortress if their title challenge is to be successful.
Although pre-season is generally not much to go by, Melbourne City have certainly gotten their fans up and about with their form. City’s domestic marquee Aaron Mooy has led this charge, most recently scoring a hat-trick in their FFA Cup quarter final victory.
Mooy was a standout in his debut season, scoring seven goals and winning City’s ‘Player of the Year’.
The partnership of Koren and Mooy will certainly bring great excitement to City’s attack, allowing the team to play with a sense of flair, whilst remaining tight and disciplined down back.
Overall this match is one that is not to be missed, as both teams unveil their new guns as they look to kick off their season in winning style.
Prediction: Too close to call, a 2-2 draw should see this one through.
Will Sydney’s shiny new reinforcements guide them to victory? Or will City’s class outshine the Sky Blues?
Join The Roar from 7:15pm (AEST) as we find out.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Isn't Ben Williams a shocking referee. He is the most ridiculously card happy ref in the A-league. The match was ok but probably didnt live up to the pre-match hype. A fair result all up.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Presume the Allianz cow paddock doesn't help, but that was a forgettable match. 1 terrific move to let Sydney equalise. Only Match Day 1, but on that performance, there's nothing to suggest these 2 teams have improved from last season - albeit MelbCity were missing a huge number of players & SydFC would benefit from Hoole & Naumoff.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
A great recruit indeed. That save towards the end on Blackwood's attempt was world class.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Sorenson is all class and made some superb saves.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Thank you for joining us on The Roar for tonight's contest. Enjoy the rest of the weekend :)
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
Match Report: Sydney 1 (Holosko 45+3) : 1 Melbourne City (Dekker 16") In what was a thrilling contest between two teams who will be looking to establish themselves as serious contenders this season. The match started in quite a placid fashion as both teams were happy to sit back and suss each other out. Melbourne City were the first to break the ice as Wade Dekker opened the scoring with a debut goal, silencing the home fans after pouncing on a Sydney defensive turnover. A great composed finished into the bottom corner. Melbourne City then controlled the match from there as they continued to pound Sydney's defence, having numerous chances as Dekker and Fornaroli looked dangerous up front. It took Sydney right until half time to equalise, as Holosko netted in his debut game after a great through ball from O'Neil exposed the City defence which had been tight all match. The goal coming in such a crucial time as Sydney clawed their way back into the contest. The second half was very different as both teams had numerous chances. Sydney FC controlled most of the second half who were denied numerous golden opportunites by the experienced Thomas Sorenesen between the sticks, who made a significant contribution in tonight's match. Overall, it was a good contest between two teams that will be up there this season. Melbourne City will now shift their attention to rivals Melbourne Victory, as Sydney FC travel to Newcastle next week.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
94' Sydney win a free kick on the halfway line. Fornaroli picks up the seventh yellow card of the match. Ben Williams blows the full time whistle and the match ends all square. At Full Time it's: Sydney FC 1: 1 Melbourne Cty.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
93' Only one minute to go. Sydney on the attack. Blackwood takes it out wide before firing a shot at Sorensen who makes a routine save.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
A great chance for Sydney to hit the front with minutes left! A great ball into the box finds an unmarked Blackwood at the far post, who's attempt is saved wonderfully by Sorensen out for a corner. A match saving save there! There will be 4 minutes added on as stoppage time.
albatross
Roar Pro
Matt Simon FMD. Does Arnie need some carpentry done around the house?
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
87' City win another corner. Mooy sends in a cross to the far post which is met by Janjetavic comfortably.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
86' Mooy sends in a right footed cross, it is cleared away for a corner for the Melbourne side. Sydney 1 City 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
85' Ben Williams gives out another yellow card, this time to Grant. Didn't look like much, but City have a free kick in a good position. Sydney 1 City 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
83' A yellow card issued to Faty for an infringement on Robbie Koren. Matt Simon is meanwhile brought into the game at the expense of Smeltz, who has been quite tonight. Sydney 1 City 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
80' Corner won by City. Mooy swings it into the box and receives it back after a clearing header from Brosque. Mooy again crosses with his left this time, however it is again cleared by Sydney who work it out of defence. Sydney 1 City 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
77' The corner is delivered and it finds Blackwood, who has a free header however it falls into the grasps of Sorensen. A few great chances for Sydney FC, the intensity has certainly lifted here.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
A great chance and an even better save! A great run from Grant, who megged his way through traffic before unleashing a monstrous attempt which is saved brilliantly by Sorensen out for a corner. Sydney 1 City 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
75' Dimitrijevic crosses it into the far post, which is cleared by City before it is won again by the Sky Blues who force a corner. The corner is taken quickly and drilled in low to Faty, who flicks it over the bar for a goal kick. Sydney 1 City 1
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
75' Yellow Card issued to Paartalu, who fouls Brosque in a very dangerous position.
Athos Sirianos
Roar Guru
73' Melbourne City make their third and final substitution. ON: Kuzmanovski OFF: Dekker