The Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC meet in the second semi-final of the FFA Cup at Penrith Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:30pm (AEST).
What better way to kick start the final two weeks of lead up to the new A-League season that a derby in the latter stages of the FFA Cup competition.
Both sides have a new look with Wanderers manager Markus Babbel bringing in some hired German guns in an attempt to rejuvenate a Wanderers team that promised much, yet failed to deliver last season.
Patrick Ziegler and Alexander Baumjohann impressed in the quarter-final and will only get better with more minutes.
The Sky Blues have experienced significant change as well, most notably in the appointment of new manager Steve Corica, who takes over the reins from the most successful Sydney mentor in history.
With Jop van der Linden, Siem de Jong and Adam le Fondre all impressive last time out, Sydney FC fans took a deep sigh of relief, knowing that the new men have great promise for the upcoming season.
It will be a tough act to follow and with the loss of three international stars, Sydney may take a few months to find a rhythm.
In saying that, there are hopes that Corica can gel this team in the medium term and make a run at another A-League title in the New Year.
The Wanderers have undoubtedly strengthened across the park and will be a better side in a few months when the changes have become familiar. As such, this is a tough encounter to line up yet one with significant stakes on the line, in the form of an FFA Cup trophy that both clubs will crave.
Prediction
This is something of a stab in the dark on this one, with very little clear evidence of one side travelling better than the other. Throw in wet and soggy conditions as Sydney experiences consistent rain and the task of predicting becomes even more of a challenge.
Western Sydney have potentially done a little more in terms of the quality of their opposition and Sydney’s battle against Avondale FC in the quarter-final was indicative of a side well and truly still finding its feet.
Western Sydney Wanderers 2, Sydney FC 1
Where: Penrith Stadium, Sydney
When: Saturday 6th October 2018, 7.30pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Sports, Fox Sports App
Betting: Western Sydney Wanderers $3.30 Draw $3.40 Sydney FC $1.91
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
Western Sydney Wanderers
Vedran Janjetovic, Keanu Baccus, Tarek Elrich, Brendan Hamill, Josh Risdon, Ruon Tongyik, Tass Mourdoukoutas, Tate Russell, Kearyn Baccus, Roly Bonevacia, Kosta Grozos, Marc Tokich, Jordan O’Doherty; Mark Bridge, Nick Fitzgerald, Bruce Kamau, Abraham Majok, Oriol Riera, John Roberts, Lachlan Scott, Jaushua Sotirio, Danijel Nizic, Patrick Ziegler, Alexander Baumjohann
Sydney FC
Andrew Redmayne, Alex Cisak, Thomas Heward-Belle; Aaron Calver, Rhyan Grant, Ben Warland, Alex Wilkinson, Michael Zullo, Josh Brillante, Alex Brosque, Milos Ninkovic, Brandon O’Neill, Paulo Retre, Chris Zuvela, Charles Lokolingoy, Trent Buhagiar, Daniel De Silva, Jop van der Linden, Siem de Jong, Adam le Fondre, Joel King, Cameron Devlin
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Slightly different take on it then Stuart. The first hald was pretty even and as you said, not too many threats on goal but maybe WSW shaded it. However, there were warning signs when SFC were going forward and the three man press on the Wanderers defence made the home fans nervous and the players too leaving WSW to go long on most occasions. It was clear that early in the second half that the sky blues were stepping up a gear and were going to try and exert as mich pressure as possible and it paid dividends very quickly. Once the defence had been breached it really was a matter of time before there was going to be more. WSW offered very little up front. Riera was a lonely figure with very little service. Sotirio continues to defy belief as to why he has a place in an A League side and his replacement showed a total lack of maturity in starting what was an ugly flare up that saw a booking a piece. SFC look quite capable of slipping into their recent form. Perhaps Brosque will play the Matt Simon role this season. He certainly appeared to relish 15-20 minutes of hard aggressive football with a lot of words thrown in for good measure. As for WSW, it was more of the same stuff that has been served up for a few seasons and the danger of this result is that fans will continue to abamdon the cause. Playing at Homebush for another year and playing poor quality football, losing hevily yet again to crosstown rivals is not easy to take and there does not appear to be anything positive on the horizon. Defence is somewhat shambolic and the side is bereft of ideas in the final third of the pitch. In contrast, Sydney looked as though they have plenty of improvement in the side and they were able to step up a gerbor two in the second half. The dutchman looked sharp as did Le Fondre and it is hard not to see them somewhere near the top of the tree again this season providing the “homelessness”doesn’t have an effect.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sydney FC have beaten the Western Sydney Wanderers by three goals to nil at Penrith Stadium to book a spot in the 2018 FFA Cup final. Derbies are passionate affairs and the west of Sydney was alight on a nice night for football. It had been a week of torrential rain in Sydney, yet the surface at Penrith Stadium was immaculate after a sunny afternoon and the players enjoyed the excellent conditions. With both teams experiencing significant changes in personnel, their fates are somewhat unknown in terms of the upcoming A-League season. Tonight put all the uncertainty aside and the reality of cut-throat FFA Cup play on the agenda. Western Sydney started well and probably had the best of the opening half. There was little to discuss in terms of chances, bar a couple of moments where Western Sydney threatened and the match reeked of a derby waiting to explode in the second half. Sydney FC defended well in the first half yet showed little in attack; causing a rethink in approach going into the second. Western Sydney were somewhat blunted after half time as Sydney FC found a rhythm that was lacking in its first half performance. Trent Buhagiar opened the scoring after 49 minutes following excellent work from marquee Siem De Jong and the provider turned scorer when the Dutchman found the net from a direct free kick in the 66th minute. A third goal was to follow after Adam le Fondre was brought down in the area and he converted from the spot. In terms of derbies, it was less than epic. Both teams will take clear messages from the game and the Wanderers will be keen to heed theirs ASAP. With numerous changes in personal and a new manager, time will play a key role in their development, despite the disappointment tonight. Sydney too, will need time to grow and evolve and Steve Corica will have seen things that concerned him in the first 45 minutes. However, tonight they found enough to put the Wanderers to the sword and gain bragging rights for at least a short period of time. The sky blues will now move on the face the Reds on October 30 and will fancy their chances after such a convincing semi-final performance. Thus, Adelaide and Sydney will once again do battle in the FFA Cup Final and the city of churches will be keen to snatch the silverware back from the harbour city. Final Score Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Sydney FC 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the call and the match report will follow in ten minutes. Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Sydney FC 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sydney FC book a place in the FFA Cup Final.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL TIME at Penrith and Sydney FC have compiled an excellent second half to claim a 3-0 victory against their cross town rivals.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
94' Redmayne cleans up a long ball forward and that will just about see the game to a conclusion.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
94' Final minute here with little football being played at either end.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
93' Grant attacks down the right for Sydney after some dull play and the Wanderers defend the danger well. Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Sydney FC 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
92' Sadly, the stadium is silent. It was a great contest for the first half yet Sydney really took control in the second period.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
91' Not sure where four minutes came from but.....anyway!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' Redmayne is a little sloppy at the back as the Wanderers pressure. Sydney throw and the game moves into injury time.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' Free kick Wanderers in centre field.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' Sydney with a late free and O'Neill fires it into the box. Wanderers clear well and now look to attack.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
88' Brillante off and Devlin on for Sydney.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
87' Now the Wanderers come back before le Fondre is fouled and Sydney FC look content to run the clock. Western Sydney Wanderers 0 Sydney FC 3
Stuart Thomas
Expert
86' Wanderers play the ball long and Bonevacia is fouled. The free is wasted and Sydney attack.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
85' Cordier on for the Wanderers and Llorente off.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
85' Sydney foul the Wanderers at the top of the box and Western Sydney have a chance to go into attack.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
83' Sydney with an attacking free. O'Neill centres and Brosque's shot is parried by Nizic.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
83' De Jong comes off for Sydney and Retre on.