It’s hard to argue that bringing the Western Sydney Wanderers into the Hyundai A-League has not added something to Australia’s domestic football ranks.
It would be hard for football fans around the country to argue that bringing the Western Sydney Wanderers into the Hyundai A-League has not added something extra to Australia’s domestic football ranks.
For Sydney-siders in particular it has given birth to a strong rivalry between those that follow the Sky Blues and those that wear the red and black.
As expected the first Sydney derby was a sold out affair at Parramatta Stadium as Sydney FC made their first trip to face their new rivals.
The match opened with the new boys having the best chances as Aaron Mooy lined up consecutive free kicks for his side but was unable to convert.
Sydney FC-s marquee man Alessandro Del Piero had his side-s opening opportunity but his free kick drifted over the cross bar from 30 metres out.
Former Sydney player Mark Bridge had his best opportunity of the first half with just over thirty minutes gone as he hit the ball just wide of Ivan Necesvki-s goal.
With half time approaching the Wanderers had one final shot to go into the break with an advantage when Aaron Mooy-s free kick troubled Necevski before his Sydney FC teammates cleared the ball from danger and ensured the game remained 0-0 as the teams headed to the sheds.
With a little over an hour complete, Del Piero-s ability to influence a match again shone through as he did well to hold onto the ball in the box before Mooy brought him down and gave away a decisive penalty.
The Italian maestro stepped up to the spot and put the ball away only for it to be called back due to players breaking early. Del Piero struck it again and after Covic initially saved his shot, the marquee man buried the rebound to give his side a 1-0 lead.
From there Sydney FC looked to cling to their advantage as the Wanderers pushed forward.
The final chance of the match fell to Bridge as Ono drifted in a corner that he got on the end of but sent over the crossbar.
As the final whistle sounded Sydney FC had claimed the first ever Sydney derby and ushered in a new era of Australian football.
Despite the famous victory the Sky Blues would go on to miss the finals in the 2012/13 season after finishing equal on points with sixth placed Perth Glory but eight goals behind on goal difference.
For the Wanderers it was a season that will never be forgotten. After claiming the Premiers Plate, Tony Popovic-s side went all the way through to the grand final before going down to the Central Coast Mariners.
The first derby for the 2013/14 season is set to take place on the 26th of October at Sydney FC-s Allianz Stadium.
