The reigning champions are back in action as Sydney FC face the Wellington Phoenix at Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7pm (AEDT).
After a victory in the big blue last week, Sydney FC return to greet their fans at home for the first time this season. It is always a great day when the league winners return for their first home match and a few historical moments will have been planned to celebrate the day appropriately.
While not in championship form last week, there was a professionalism and clinical nature about their performance. Limiting Melbourne Victory to essentially no meaningful shots on goal was a solid defensive display, despite having a few individuals who were a little sloppy at the back.
The Phoenix looked good last week in their one-all draw with Adelaide, who showed us on Friday that they will be a team with which to be reckoned under new manager Marco Kurz. Roy Krishna will be key for the Phoenix throughout the season and once again, he was dangerous in round one.
It was great to see Dario Vidosic on the scoreboard against Adelaide and with Andrija Kaludjerovic, Wellington will be hoping to provide a strong and consistent route to goal that takes some of the heat of the Fijian international.
For Sydney, Milos Ninkovic will continue to develop his relationship with Adrian Mierzejewski, which may yet take a few months to blossom. With the ever-dangerous Bobo lurking and Captain Alex Brosque playing consistently well, the front third for Sydney looks formidable.
Prediction
In what will be romantic return for the Sky Blues, the Phoenix will look to crash the party and, quite frankly, they have the game to do it. Sydney will, however, prove too strong and the home ground advantage could prove the difference in this clash.
Sydney FC 3, Wellington 1.
Catch all the action on The Roar’s live coverage from 7pm (AEDT).
TK
Guest
To reprise a comment from Friday night's game in Brisbane.....The Premier's only got 11 K tonight … what is it with Sydney folk?
Buddy
Guest
It does seem strange to see so many games played at ANZ especially considering how poor the pitch was earlier in the year when being shared amongst the different football codes. Great to see the Jets pull in a decent crowd. it is not as though Perth traveled with more than a handful of supporters. The two games in Sydney were poorly attended. Surely an all conquering side that also won in Melbourne last weekend and reached the FFA Cup final should get more than just over 11000 in a city this size or are there other reasons? WSW didn't fare much better yesterday evening although there were only a few hundred Mariners fans at the game. We hear so many excuses in Sydney. The weather was threatening; the time slot is poor, kids can't go along, people have to work; the venue is crap, the access is poor, the trains don't go direct; the parking is expensive; it clashes with meal times................. I'm sure there are another 100 or so you can add to the list. The fact remains that Sydney is an "event city" and even then, not always in huge numbers. No doubt Allianz will be rocking next Saturday night with a crowd of 40.000 plus, so there will be around 20,000 people that want to attend the derby that were not interested in either team this weekend!
LuckyEddie
Guest
And FFA reward them with a WC qualifier = DUMB.
LuckyEddie
Guest
Another bumper crowd of just over 11k while Newcastle has just under 15k. Still the FFA reward theSydney 'fans' with a major WC qualifier. I'm expecting a bumper crowd, weather permitting, of 30k. The FFA hold games in Sydney because of the 80k stadium but no more than 40k ever go. Brisbane would easily pack Suncorp at 50k, in a real football stadium with a real atmosphere. The FFA - a ship of fools.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sydney FC have outlasted the Wellington Phoenix in a terrific encounter to end week two of the A-League. Early on, Wellington looked to have come with all guns blazing and Sydney were caught well on the hop after a couple of early threats to their goal. Soon after the Sydney attack clicked into gear and the champions began to show their class. Bobo found the net in the twenty-ninth minute with an exquisite header that left the keeper with no chance and five minutes later, Michael Zullo found his first goal in almost a decade in the A-League to put Sydney two clear. Seemingly on their way to a resounding victory, the home side were stunned by a persistent Wellington side, when Andrija Kaludjerovic thumped a long ball home from 15 metres and the visitors went into the break with some new hope. Defensive tightness early on would have been a priority for the Phoenix early in the second half yet Bobo was able to grab his second after only four minutes and the Sydney lead looked unassailable. If the sky blues thought this, they were underestimating the tenacity of the visitors who found a way back into the match with a header from Dario Vidosic that was world class and one that sent the home crowd into silence. The final thirty minutes were played in a tense manner with both teams creating chances. Sydney appeared to have control yet a late off-side call from the sideline was completely incorrect and cost the Phoenix an open shot on goal that may have altered the final result. All in all, the better team probably won the contest, however, it was a close run thing and the Phoenix will have taken much from the encounter. Sydney will march on to the derby next week knowing they are in good shape, however the injury to Adrian Mierzejewski may be an issue. Final Score Sydney 3 Wellington 2
Fadida
Guest
Yep. Imagine if the Jets turn out to be good....
Kangajets
Guest
Disappointed with that crowd . The champions get 11000 from a city of 5 million Abt 15000 in Newcastle for last years wooden spooners from a city of half a million
Caltex TEN & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Thanks for the call Stuart. Looking forward to next weeks live TEN telecast, full house, should be a beaut.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
THanks for being on board tonight, match report to follow in 15 minutes.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full-time Sydney 3 Wellington 2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
94' The final moments and Wellington cant find a way through.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
93' Simon with another chance that sprays wide.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'92 The final stages are nervy for Sydney as Wellington throw everything at them.......Sydney break at the other end and Matt Simon has a clear shot............saved.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
4 minutes of stoppage time
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Defender for attacker tells you their mindset.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'91 Bobo off and Retre on for Sydney.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'89 Corner Wellington, a late chance for the visitors......cleared of the line by Zullo.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Wellington caught off-side.......and the replay shows he was on by a metre.....Wellington robbed.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
'87 Wellington are still well in this. Three to go plus stoppage time.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Matt Simon in the clear and on the run............throw in....what a shock.