The Wanderers have won an epic Sydney Derby, putting to an end Sydney FC’s unbeaten record.
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Final score
Western Sydney Wanderers 1
Sydney FC 0
Sydney FC continue to conquer all before them in the A-League, but standing in their way tonight is a Western Sydney Wanderers outfit that nearly defeated them several weeks back. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEDT).
The Sydney derby now stands alone as the A-League’s most valuable showdown.
Crowd numbers have been outstanding for both matches between Sydney and the Wanderers this season, and 50,000 fans are expected to witness another vital contest between these two rivals tonight.
While Sydney remain undefeated, there is the ever-present danger of losing form and momentum with the finals just around the corner. A loss here for Graham Arnold’s men could signal the beginning of a downward spiral that may very well cost them when it truly counts.
Indeed, in the other major football codes last season, both the Sydney Swans and Melbourne Storm finished as minor premiers but neither went on to win their respective grand finals. Sydney FC are in a similar position and must remain switched on to avoid what would be a grand collapse at the worst possible time.
The Wanderers meanwhile continue to deceive this season. A great win against the Wellington Phoenix away from home was tampered by an underwhelming 2-nil defeat to the Mariners at home last week.
Tony Popovic’s side had numerous chances to put the Mariners to the sword in the first half but wasteful finishing once again cost them dearly. Their inability to convert promising build-up play into goals has been their Achilles heel all year, but at their best, the Wanderers can cause Sydney FC plenty of problems.
The last time these two teams met was at Allianz Stadium, where we saw a goalless draw, although Western Sydney had numerous chances to secure victory and more than held their own against the Arnie’s juggernaut.
Prediction
Sydney deserve favouritism, but they are far from the invincible force that their position on the ladder suggests.
If the Wanderers can maintain high-tempo play for 90 minutes, then the likes of Nico Martinez, Andy Nichols and Brendon Santalab may get the chance required to end one of the great undefeated runs in A-League history.
Wanderers to win 1-0
Post_hoc
Guest
Gee, that's a lot of a Salt, 3 clear cut now lol, your dreaming or bitter, which one?
Nemesis
Guest
@ac Going by your comments, you're a football illiterate. Go back to where you came from.
ac
Guest
Going by comments below games in A league are decided by bad decisions of referees. Not a good look. What was crowd please ?
Paul
Guest
Refereeing went Sydney's
sydster
Guest
We saw the a-league version of the asian cup final presented to ws on a platter a few years back the ref too gutless and too out of touch to award St least one of three clear cut penalties.There is a mile of difference in the quality of both sides with the 9 lives coach of the home team surviving another bullet from his boardroom.If the FFA is not careful they will lose many supporters from the game with the amateurish standard of refereeing.As for the rob , you may have given the mouth job, there's a lot of Greek to come from Sydney
Paul
Guest
We beat 12 men tonight. Beath gave so many calls to the smurfs that should have been given to the Wanderers. Plus hardly a yellow card given to the smurfsvfor so many studs up tackles. Plus Beath helping up Wilkinson is a definite no no for any referee. Plus there was an elbow byba Sydney player that the match review committee needs to cite the player.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Hahahahahaha :D Hehe!
MarkfromCroydon
Guest
Enjoyed watching that. I reckon Beath got both penalty calls right. i watched them in slow motion and neither was a penalty for me. in both cases, the defender gets the ball first before there's any contact, and the contact is minimal and initiated by the attacker.
Midfielder
Guest
well done Drive Bys
Alan
Roar Guru
Its all over! Sydney's unbeaten run comes to an end at the hands of their rivals the Wanderers! Sydney had a penalty claim waved away at the death and that will be a major talking point. The Wanderers though stood tall tonight against the best team in the A-League. They had the answers to Sydney's questions in attack and also pushed Sydney themselves with great play from Nichols, Sotirio and Martinez. Sydney finally lose and now need to avoid going into a rut so close to the finals....Melbourne City though awaits Sydney next week...a tough test...A-League championship back on! Wanderers 1 Sydney 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Ninkovic with a snap shot on the volley straight to Janjetovic when he had support on the left! Wanderers in the right area. FULLTIME Wanderers 1 Sydney 0
Swanny
Guest
That was a pen but Sydney fc have had their fair share of refs decisions this year. Karma
Alan
Roar Guru
95' - Seconds remaining. The Wanderers are finally about to secure a win against their great rivals! Their undefeated rivals...no more surely... Wanderers 1 Sydney 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Gee Cornthwaite catches the Sydney player in the area there....should have been a pen for Sydney....big moment....this is destined to end in a Wanderers win... Wanderers 1 Sydney 0
Alan
Roar Guru
PENALTY SHOUT FOR SYDNEY Waved away....big moment! Wanderers 1 Sydney 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Five minutes to be added on.. Wanderers 1 Sydney 0
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Sydney I feel will lose tonight and lose again next week against the dangerous Melbourne City. Sydney perhaps about to hit a poor run of form at the worst time perhaps... Wanderers 1 Sydney 0
Alan
Roar Guru
87' - All this game needs now is a penalty in stoppage time. Drama builds in another great derby. Sydney's undefeated run minutes away from ending. Ibini's cross is poor. Goal kick Wanderers. Wanderers 1 Sydney 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Wanderers have had some close calls in this second half but Janjetovic has stood tall for WSW. Great second half from the former Sydney FC keeper. Wanderers on the verge of defeating the unbeaten Sydney FC! Wanderers 1 Sydney 0
Alan
Roar Guru
Lifted pass over the top for Bobo who controls the ball superbly before shooting on the volley! His effort savved by Janjetovic who stops Bobo's point blank effort! Wanderers 1 Sydney 0