Sydney FC started the A-League season in excellent form, blowing away their cross-town rivals the Western Sydney Wanderers with four goals to nil.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Sydney FC 4
The Western Sydney Wanderers will host Sydney FC in a Sydney derby to kick off both teams’ campaigns for the 2016-17 A-League Season. Join The Roar for live scores from the match as well as a blog of the game, starting from 7:50pm (AEDT).
The match will see the two sides renew hostilities in what has become one of the biggest fixtures each year on the A-League calendar.
While both teams have a wide range of new players coming in after busy changes at the end of last season, it’s the clash of colours that will feel very familiar.
The Wanderers are looking to start what they hope will be a very successful campaign after coming so close yet falling so far from success last time around – losing the 2016 grand final to Adelaide United earlier this year.
Sydney FC on the other hand are desperately seeking to get this year off to a good start after the 2015-16 season saw them miss the finals altogether.
They spent a decent chunk of the year secured among the A-League’s top six, but eventually fell short of a finals berth thanks to the late-season rise of Perth Glory.
8-10-9 was a poor record to finsh the season with and left them well short of a finals berth.
Despite the respective fortunes of both team in recent years, it’s the Sky Blues who have dominated this fixture in recent years, having gone unbeaten in the last seven.
Prediction
It’s a tough call to make with so many new recruits for each side and little exposed form outside of the FFA Cup to judge either team on at the moment. Sydney will head in as the favourites, but it could be a very tight result.
Draw, 1-1.
Join The Roar for live scores from the match as well as a blog of the game, starting from 7:50pm (AEDT).
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
JB-Thanks for the information. Next time I will be more careful on how am using stats.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Leave him be, he has 'issues' ;)
j binnie
Guest
Spyros - For the sake of analytical comparisons it is better to only count the 135 attendances for all games played during the season. Finals matches in Australia have historically drawn much larger crowds than the "normal" match so tend to give a "false" reading to the analysis results. eg Last time Roar played in a Grand Final at home they pulled 51,523 into Suncorp but their average home crowd during that season was actually 14.960. Note the difference. Keep up the good work Cheers jb.
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
Information about attendance: Record attendance at both regular season and final series :61.880 ANZ stadium Previous record on regular season :45.202 (Melbourne Victory vs Melbourne City) Etihad Stadium Previous record on final series:54.436(Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United)Etihad Stadium
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
Punter-Nice point. Especially with the save on the shot of Bulut at the last minute of first half. It would definitely be a different game. Also, the save on the shot of Mitchel at73 minute, was very important.
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
JB- Thanks for posting . I think the score WSW has a much better future and one game cannot determine the future. Nice point with the import of international players. But would definitely need time to learn how to play together. Is important mention that the three attackers who start the game they play their first game. Also playing in a new stadium can affect a team. Only four games would be played at ANZ stadium and the rest of them on Spotless Stadium ( info from WSW FC website, (?)). Good team but would need time. I agree that the captain comeback would provide stability to the defence. As far as Sydney FC, i think their main advantage is the experience attacking line up with Holosko, Bobo, Carney and Ninkovic.
Kasey
Guest
What's your problem mate? Why are you so salty?
correct sometimes
Guest
congrats Kasey, you can put that on your wall.
Kasey
Guest
Not really interested in the Origin crowd figure. Comparing oranges with oranges: Andrew Howe (@AndyHowe_statto) tweeted: The largest crowd for a regular season standalone NSWRL/NRL game is: 59,708 (Souths v Roosters 2013)
punter
Guest
I cannot agree more, was there last night & to win 4 nil was unreal, but to win 4 nil & your goalkeeper was probably close to man of the match does not show the closeness of this game despite the scoreline. But what a night,
j binnie
Guest
Spyros.- Good call and one worth looking at the long term possibilities.The stats figures are interesting for they show a "spread" that greatly belies the final score, and one cannot help but refer back to the WSW experience of last year wen they came from behind like a "raging bull".Can they do the same this term??? First of all one has to look at the talent on show and both the Japanese and Argentinian players look to be high quality imports for WSW and when given time to mix with the other attack minded players and the inclusion of a proven goal scorer plus the return of their captain to the back line makes them a team of huge potential. Sydney FC will seldom play better, they demonstrated forcibly what the modern game is all about ,making the most of the chances they created to return them a re-sounding victory. All in all an exciting fixture that entertained despite what the final score may indicate. jb
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
According to A-League twitter account, the crowd was: 61.880 .
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
If someone wants to discuss the game further , just comment here.
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
Thank you Marc!
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
Thank you Stevo for comments!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Thanks Spyros! SFC looking good to take some silverware this year.
Marc
Guest
Thanks Spyros :) Enjoyed your call.
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
Match Summary: Recap of First Half: At the first stages of the game, Sydney Fc was more calm and confident . That help them create couple good chances. However with the game progressing Wanders balance the game and became more dangerous creating some good chances with the best being Bulut shot on the last seconds of the first half with Vukovic making the save. Second Half: From the time Holosko open the score(51) ,Sydney FC looked unstoppable . Four minutes later Bobo after a brilliant pass by Holosko double the goals for his team and end the game. Even with 35 minutes to go Wanders was not very dangerous. Tried to react with some long distance shot and sporadic cross to the penalty area but Vukovic was always ready to respond.At 84 minute Borda saw the red card on tackle Brosque before got dangerous. The red card was right because Brosque was the last player and was ready to score. The free kick executed perfectly by Brandon O'Neill who made the 0-3. And finally, Brosque make the 0-4 with a shot from the penalty area. Conclusion: Western Sydney Wanders look some good only in the first half. In the second half,Sydney Fc destroyed them with four goals. This is the third straight win in the home of WSW for Sydney FC. WSW has a lot of work to do on both sides of the field, as far as Sydney Fc look very good and can only improve.
Paul
Guest
Actually beat Origin III (source http://www.smh.com.au/afl/sydney-swans/afl-lands-nrl-huge-blow-with-bumper-crowd-for-sydney-swans-v-gws-giants-qualifying-final-20160910-grdee9.html)
Spyros Antoniou
Roar Pro
I would like to thank all those who "watch" the game throw the comment section and also comment. Sorry for being a little bit slow sometimes.