There was derby delight on an action-packed day in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Mark Rudan’s Western Sydney Wanderers dispatched of city rivals Sydney FC in Saturday’s blockbuster showdown at CommBank Stadium.
Western United had returned to the A-League Men summit earlier in the day, having held off Newcastle Jets, while Central Coast Mariners ended a 20-game hoodoo against Brisbane Roar.
KEEPUP followed along LIVE to bring you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from the three Isuzu UTE A-League fixtures on Saturday.
- Isuzu UTE A-League: Western United 2-1 Newcastle Jets
MATCH REPORT: LACROIX THE HERO AS WESTERN GO TOP
- Isuzu UTE A-League: Central Coast Mariners 2-1 Brisbane Roar
MATCH REPORT: MARINERS SNAP ROAR HOODOO
- Isuzu UTE A-League: Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 Sydney FC
MATCH REPORT: DERBY DELIGHT FOR WANDERERS
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 2-0 SYDNEY FC
REACTION
‘We need them every week’ – Baccus marvels in derby atmosphere
The RBB were in full voice as Western Sydney Wanderers celebrated a morale-boosting 2-0 win at home to Sydney FC.
Western Sydney provided plenty of atmosphere to Saturday’s derby, which the Wanderers claimed bragging rights thanks to Tomer Hemed and Keanu Baccus.
Baccus celebrated wildly with the RBB after doubling Western Sydney’s lead early in the second half and he highlighted the importance of the fans as the Wanderers try to turn around their fortunes.
“Absolutely buzzing to get a win here. We needed it. Obviously a derby game is a big one and we produced,” said Baccus, whose Wanderers are now within three points of sixth-placed Sydney.
“I’ve been here a long time and only scored a few goals and the ones I do score I want to celebrate with them [the fans]. It’s all about them. We want to win for them.”
Baccus continued: “It’s massive when they’re here like this. We need them every week. It changes it for us. It’s a massive atmosphere. We need them. It’s part of the game, we’re so used to it, but we need them to keep coming.”
Network 10 analysts Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan were also very impressed with the atmosphere.
“You see the reaction of the players after the game,” Thompson said following the post-game scenes, which saw the Wanderers fans and players celebrating passionately.
“You see the interview with Keanu Baccus. He is a Western Sydney boy. He knows what it’s like when the crowd is there and is really supporting.
“I know we keep going back to the old cliché of the 12th man but we’ve been in football long enough to know that’s so important.
“Especially for Western Sydney fans and it’s great hear Baccus actually say we’re doing it for the fans. The more they keep doing that, the more fans will turn up.”
Milligan highlighted the magnitude of the fan turnout, not only to the Wanderers but the A-Leagues.
“It’s not just important for them,” he said. “Yes of course first and foremost for Western Sydney Wanderers but for the league as well. So, so important.”
Rudan: This can change our season
Western Sydney haven’t had much to cheer about in recent seasons.
Carl Robinson was sacked earlier this campaign due to a poor run of form, paving the way for former Western and Wellington Phoenix boss Rudan to take charge on a caretaker basis.
He was handed the full-time job until the 2023-24 season during the week and the passionate head coach, riding every tackle and moment in the derby, revelled in the result.
“I’m really pleased for the players and in particular the fans,” Rudan told Network 10, with Western Sydney winning just four of their 14 games so far in 2021-22. “The fans have had a hard time of it of late and I know how much this means to them, this fixture in particular.
“Against a tough opponent who had all their players available and obviously we didn’t. But we prepared well. It was a fantastic week on the training paddock.
“Games like this and wins like this can really change the course of the season. We need to build on it as well. We need to calm down, enjoy tonight but calm down and get back to work.”
The Wanderers, who have two games in hand on Sydney, are within a win of the top six in the race for the finals.
Now the man to take Western Sydney forward, Rudan reflected on on his appointment: “Being a boy, understanding the area and people from the west, from a far you always looked at this job, I won’t lie.
“When they came calling, it was up to me to try to lift everyone around me and getting people to start to believe and improve standards around the club.
“I think the chairman saw that and the board, and the players as well. That’s great. I’m really happy to be here. It’s just the start. I’ve made a promise to the people of this football club, the fans in particular, that I’ll do everything I can to improve everything at the club and get it back to where it deserves and let the fans have something to cheer about like tonight.”
It was a reunion for Rudan and Sydney, where he is a Hall of Famer, having captained the Sky Blues and won the championship.
“I had fantastic years at Sydney FC, winning championships,” Rudan said after masterminding Western Sydney’s triumph. “I had a great rapport with the fans as well.
“But I know they understand I have a job to do now with this football club. I have a lot of friends over there, obviously Steve Corica is a good friend of mine as well.”
Sydney left licking their wounds after latest loss
The Sky Blues can’t seem to stop the rot at the moment.
Yet another defeat, their third in the row has Sydney poised to drop out of the top six after falling to the Wanderers amid a five-game winless streak.
Rhyan Grant didn’t mince his words post-game, telling Network 10: “Super tough. We obviously weren’t good enough. It was a difficult game.
“We haven’t been doing too well of late so tonight would’ve been a great way to turn it around against our biggest rivals.
“But we just didn’t really show up or get the result we wanted. Very disappointing.”
Sydney were below par at CommBank Stadium and Grant added: “We have no one to blame but ourselves. We are in a difficult situation now and if we don’t start winning games, we’ll be in real strife.”
It’s a far cry from the Sydney team that reached last season’s Grand Final.
“That’s the biggest thing,” Grant said. “We have high standards at Sydney FC and we aren’t matching them at the moment. It’s up to us players to turn that round.
“I know we’ve been saying it for weeks now but we really need to start picking up results and if we don’t, we’ll be in real trouble.”
Full-time: Bragging rights go to the Wanderers
The Wanderers were at it from the first minute and walk away with a 2-0 win over rivals Sydney.
It ensures Western Sydney remain unbeaten in derby games against the Sky Blues at CommBank Stadium.
As for Sydney, they crash to three consecutive league defeats for the first time since November 2013.
The Wanderers are now three points adrift of sixth-placed Sydney with two games in hand.
Penalty, oh no it’s not…
Sydney think they have a penalty as the referee points to the spot after Ryan Grant is fouled in the 90th minute.
However, it’s downgraded to a free-kick on the edge of the area following a VAR consultation.
Sums up Sydney’s night.
Wanderland in full voice
Up until this point, it’s been a great night to be a Wanderers fan.
If you’re a Sydney supporter, sorry.
Rain, rain go away!
Brace yourself fans at CommBank Stadium, rain is on its way.
Debutant Narsingh almost makes instant impact
Sydney’s star Dutch import Luciano Narsingh is introduced off the bench in the 57th minute and immediately shows his quality.
The former PSV speedster dinks a delicious ball into the six-yard box and while it misses the first man, it finds Adam Le Fondre, whose curled effort strikes the crossbar.
Unlucky.
52′ Goal 2-0: Pandemonium as Wanderers double lead
Whatever Sydney head coach Steve Corica said at half-time was completely thrown out the window within seven minutes of the restart.
Keanu Baccus rises highest from a corner, sloppily conceded by Sydney, and sparks wild celebrations after heading home powerfully.
The Wanderers fans enjoyed that one!
‘Really, really soft penalty’ – Wanderers fortunate to be awarded spot-kick?
The penalty that has the Wanderers ahead at the break has caused plenty of debate at half-time.
Najjarine went down under a challenge from Donachie, but not everyone has been convinced there was enough contact to warrant a spot-kick.
Network 10 analyst Archie Thompson wasn’t happy, saying: “For me, it was really, really soft.
“As you see, when he takes the ball onto his left, there’s no real contact with his legs. I think the contact was being said was from his arm but there’s no contact for me.
“He goes down pretty easily for me. So for me that’s a real, real soft penalty. But when you look at the context of the first half, probably Western Sydney deserve the lead but probably not in that way.”
Half-time: Sydney staring at unwanted nine-year first
Not since November 2013 have the Sky Blues lost three consecutive games in the A-League Man.
They are 45 minutes away from matching their own unwanted record, trailing the Wanderers 1-0.
Sydney – who lost Elvis Kamsoba to injury in the opening period – have their work cut out, having never won against Western Sydney at CommBank Stadium.
37′ Goal 1-0: Wanderers take deserved lead
Just by looking at Rudan on the sidelines, you knew the Wanderers needed to make the most of their opportunities.
They did just that via the penalty spot with eight minutes remaining in the first half.
Ramy Najjarine – in the thick of the action – was guilty of wasting a couple of chances but he earns a penalty following a foul by James Donachie.
Tomer Hemed makes no mistake from the spot.
CommBank rises for Warne
As we’ve seen throughout the day in the A-Leagues, an applause has been held for spin king Shane Warne in the 23rd minute.
Fans in Sydney have shown their support at CommBank Stadium after Warne died from a heart attack in Thailand on Friday.
Sydney growing into the game
Wanderers fans haven’t been pleased, with more and more groans heard but Sydney have managed to stem some of the flow.
Passes have become more loose in Western Sydney jerseys as Sydney look comfortable on the ball through 27 minutes.
Mark Rudan’s patience is being tested.
Wanderers fast out of the blocks
Sydney FC have barely had a chance to breath or settle, the Wanderers lively from the opening whistle.
Plenty of pace and enthusiasm from the Wanderers, who have forced Andrew Redmayne into two early saves.
Redmayne fumbles the second opportunity and is fortunate to escape with a clean sheet still intact.
Sydney stands in solidarity for Ukraine
Before kick-off, both sets of players stood in the middle of the pitch in a show of unity for those impacted by the clashes in Ukraine.
Opta insight
- Western Sydney Wanderers have lost only one of their last eight A-League Men games against Sydney (W3, D4); though, they have failed to find the back of the net in either of their last two games against the Sky Blues in the competition (D1, L1).
- Western Sydney are unbeaten in their four previous A-League Men games against Sydney at CommBank Stadium (W2, D2); though, their last clash at the venue ended in a nil-all draw (November 2021).
- The Wanderers have lost seven of their last 10 A-League Men games (W2, D1), including their last two on the bounce; the last time they lost more in succession was a three-game term in May 2021 which included a 1-0 defeat to Sydney.
- Sydney have lost their last two A-League Men games and will be looking to avoid a third straight defeat in the competition for the first time since November 2013.
- Western Sydney (60%) and Sydney (52%) have had the higher and third-highest rates of possession respectively of any teams in the A-League Men since the beginning of February 2022.
- Sydney (38) have made the most entries into the penalty area per game in the A-League Men since the beginning of February 2022, the most of any team in the competition and five per game more than third-ranked Wanderers (33).
- Western Sydney’s Dimitrios Petratos (Western Sydney Wanderers FC) has scored eight career goals against Sydney in the A-League Men, his second-most against a single opponent (10 vs Central Coast Mariners); however, he has not scored against the Sky Blues since April 2019.
- Sydney veteran Bobo (Sydney FC) has scored five goals in A-League Men games against Western Sydney Wanderers FC; his next goal against them will bring him level with Alex Brosque (6) for the most goals scored in A-League Men games between the Wanderers and Sydney .
It’s derby time
This season’s second instalment of the Sydney Derby comes as both Western Sydney and Sydney FC grapple to arrest their respectively poor form slumps.
The Sky Blues head to CommBank Stadium with their place in the top six under threat from an in-form Wellington Phoenix praying to see Steve Corica’s side slip.
Mark Rudan’s Wanderers, meanwhile, have one win from five sandwiched in between two lots of back-to-back defeats. A draw – like the 0-0 affair in Round 1 – will do neither side any favours with the significance of this episode of A bitter rivalry boiling down to the need for both sides to stop the rot.
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 2-1 BRISBANE ROAR
REACTION
Goalscorers revel in drought-ending victory
Talk about confidence-boosting wins, Central Coast needed those three points against Brisbane.
A victory eight years in the making, Muller told Paramount+ afterwards: “It’s the most important thing, we get the win.
“The last five games always in the last second we concede a goal. I’m happy for the boys today.”
Muller, who scored his first goal for the Mariners, said: “I’m happy to score my first goal. Oli [Oliver Bozanic] scored last time, I said this is my turn now.”
N’Kololo was a menace throughout the contest and he was surprised to learn of Central Coast’s barren run against the Roar.
“I didn’t know this. It’s good… I think we were a bit unlucky previously. But tonight, great performance from the team. We have to just keep going like this,” he said.
Full-time: Mariners finally snap drought
After 20 games without a win, the Mariners have finally beaten the Roar 2-1.
It snaps the longest drought in ALM history, dating back to 2014.
The result also helps the Mariners move away from the bottom of the table and within four points of the top six.
Uniting behind Ukraine amid conflict
The A-Leagues and their clubs are standing together and holding a 30-second silence in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
There has been plenty of colour in support today in Gosford.
69′ Goal 2-1: Brisbane not going down without a fight
Just as the Mariners looked to have been racing away with three points, the Roar have hit back and are refusing to surrender.
Juan Eduardo Lescano is the scorer, heading past Birighitti unmarked insight the six yard box following a pin-point cross from Jay O’Shea.
That record run could still be extended.
55′ Goal 2-0: Muller opens his Central Coast account
Here’s a special moment for German veteran Nicolai Muller, who celebrates his first goal in a Mariners jersey.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder has some fortunate as his free-kick takes a deflection on its way into the net.
A first goal since scoring for Western Sydney Wanderers in their 5-4 loss to Melbourne Victory in April last year.
Things ae looking bleak for the Roar.
49′ Goal 1-0: Beni gives Mariners the lead
Having threatened to find the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes, Beni N’Kololo doesn’t need a second invination to put Central Coast ahead.
The Frenchman is played through by Cummings and he strikes a half-volley across the body of Birighitti, sparking wild celebrations.
Central Coast have come to party in the second half.
Roar show their support for QLD flood victims
Queensland has been decimated by floods and Roar CEO David Pourre revealed an initiative to raise money for victims and clubs.
“It’s been absolutely devastating the past week and it’s not going to end,” Pourre told Paramount+ at half-time.
“There’s a lot of clean up to do. The club’s been impacted but not as much as those in Queensland, who’ve lost homes and lives. In particular our football community, just absolutely decimated their club houses and fields. It’s going to take a long time to clean up.
“But as a club, we’re certainly behind it and looking forward to building some initiatives this week that we can announce to fans.
“Get everyone behind it. We have the best fans in the stands, the best fans across the country the Brisbane Roar. They certainly tell you when you’re not going well and certainly love when they are. One thing we all are, we all stick together when times are tough.
“Certainly this is that moment in time that our fans and the whole football community need to get together., Doesn’t matter if you’re in Queensland, wherever you are in the country… certainly trying to raise a lot of money for these clubs and support them.”
Half-time: Roar poised to extend record run
In a battle between the two bottom teams, there’s nothing to separate the Mariners and Roar.
Brisbane are undefeated in their last 20 A-League Men games against Central Coast (W15, D5) – it is the longest unbeaten run of any team against a single opponent in the history of the competition.
If the second half follows a similar pattern, that run could extend to 21 matches.
The woodwork thwarts Brisbane
Luke Ivanovic can’t say he hasn’t had chances in the first half.
The Roar striker, having wasted an earlier opportunity, was presented with another chance three minutes before half-time.
Despite rising highest, his header cannoned off the woodwork.
Mariners go close to breaking the deadlock
Chances have been few and far between in Gosford, but the Mariners almost opened the scoring after the half-hour mark.
A brilliant ball from Oliver Bozanic played in Beni N’Kololo, who forced a superb diving safe from milestone man Mark Birighitti.
Jason Cummings was unable to pound on the rebound in a desperate defensive scramble.
Crowd honours Warnie
Across the A-Leagues this weekend, there will be a minute of applause in the 23rd minute to celebrate the life of Shane Warne.
The legendary Australian cricketer tragically passed away over the weekend.
At Central Coast Stadium, the fans showed their appreciating for an all-time great.
Opta insight
- Brisbane are undefeated in their last 20 A-League Men games against the Mariners (W15, D5) – it is the longest unbeaten run of any team against a single opponent in the history of the competition, two games longer than the second-longest run of 18 games (Melbourne Victory vs Central Coast Mariners from 2013-2019).
- The Roar have a 69%-win rate at Central Coast Stadium in the A-League Men, 12 percentage points higher than any other team in the history of the competition (Western Sydney Wanderers – 57%).
- Central Coast have lost their last three A-League Men games in a row; the last time they lost more in succession was an 11-game stretch from January to July in 2020 which included two 1-0 defeats to Brisbane.
- The Mariners have lost only one of their last six regular season A-League Men games at Central Coast Stadium (W3, D2); though, they are yet to win at the venue in 2022 (D2, L1).
- Brisbane have scored just a single set piece goal this A-League Men season – the fewest of any team – while Central Coast (11) are the only team to have conceded more set piece goals this campaign than the Roar (7).
- Mariners star Oliver Bozanic has scored four goals in his last eight A-League Men games after scoring just three in his 52 games prior in the competition; it is also his goal total for the 2021-22 season, his joint-most in a single campaign (4 in 2015/16).
- Central Coast goalkeeper Mark Birighitti is set to play his 150th game in the A-League Men; only Western United’s Jamie Young (43) has made more saves than Birighitti (40) this season.
- Roar’s Jay O’Shea has made 23 shots at goal in the 2021/22 A-League Men campaign, the second-most of any player yet to find the back of the net this season (32 – Alessandro Diamanti).
Mariners desperate to buck trend
This is the Central Coast Mariners’ chance to put a worrying trend to bed.
In four of their last five A-League Men’s fixtures, Central Coast have dropped points with a goal conceded in the 90th minute or later – a pattern of late collapses which has Nick Montgomery’s side equal on points (11) with Brisbane Roar who occupy the foot of the table.
At home, against a Roar outfit heading into the weekend with three defeats from their past four games, now is the time for the Mariners to set the record straight – or risk being left dead last by the travelling Roar.
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE: WESTERN UNITED 2-1 NEWCASTLE JETS
REACTION
‘We’ve been quietly confident’ – Kilkenny
Western have been a tough nut to crack this season as they storm towards the finals with a new defensive strength.
The club are in the midst of an eight-game unbeaten streak and four successive victories in their brief history, sitting top of the table with a game in hand.
Afterwards, in-form midfielder Neil Kilkenny told Paramount+: “The belief has been there since the start of the season.
“We’ve been quietly confident. Hopefully we can carry on this run and keep churning out results.”
On Newcastle’s late rally as Western were forced to hold on, Kilkenny added: “We’ve done it a few times this season, gone 2-0 up and let a silly goal in and then it’s a bit funny towards the end of the game. But luckily we saw it through and keep going on.”
Full-time: Western make history as they return to ALM summit
The Western train continues to roll on and back to the top of the table, ahead of Melbourne City.
Lacroix was the unlikely hero with his first-ever brace as Western made history.
For the first time, Western have won four consecutive league games, withstanding a late Jets rally.
Topor-Stanley survives red card
Nikolai Topor-Stanley had VAR to thank after he was initially shown a red card in stoppage time.
The veteran Western defender was given his marching orders for a high boot, but it was rescinded following a VAR review.
Western do end the game with 11 men.
Ohhhhhh, so close!
The Jets have gone within a whisker of restoring parity with two minutes of regulation remaining.
Substitute Eli Babalj, in the thick of the action since his introduction, is found unmarked in the penalty area but he wastes the golden opportunity, flashing his header agonisingly wide of the post.
80′ Goal 2-1: Jets get one back
The Jets have set up a grandstand finish courtesy of Angus Thurgate.
With the match petering out, Dylan Murnane cushions a ball down for Thurgate to bundle over the line 10 minutes from the end.
Game on!
Western flexing their muscles
The Jets have simply had no response to Western this afternoon.
Western have been a constant threat in attack and Aleksandar Prijovic went close to make it 3-0 four minutes later, denied by Jack Duncan.
This could get ugly for the Jets if they’re not careful and head coach Arthur Papas responds by making a triple substitution.
52′ Goal 2-0: Lacroix at the double!
For the first time in his career, Lacroix has scored two goals in a professional match.
The defender is on hand to head home from close range seven minutes into the second half, despite appeals from Jets players and a VAR review.
Is a hat-trick on the cards?
Ghost goal? Second-half restart delayed
There was a delay to the second half in bizarre scenes.
Officials were left scrambling to patch up a hole in the net, but the repair job left a lot to be desired!
Lacroix savours goal but wants more
The former Saint-Etienne and Sion centre-back is all that stands between Western and Newcastle in the A-League Men.
Lacroix celebrated his maiden goal since arriving from Switzerland ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
“It felt good,” the 30-year-old told Paramount+ at half-time.
The 1-0 scoreline is all too familiar for Western, who are eyeing their eighth consecutive game without defeat.
“The football, until the last seconds it’s not finished,” he said. “Now we have to do a better second half with more control on the ball and try to score a second half.”
Half-time: Western to arrest poor Mars record?
As it stands at 1-0, Western are returning to the top of the table.
Not only are poised to leapfrog Melbourne City, Aloisi’s men are on track to record just their second win in six games at the venue in Ballarat.
Can the Jets fight back in the second half?
Jets slowly finding their feet
The Jets made a slow start but they’ve gradually worked their way into the contest.
While Western continue to threaten in the attacking third, Newcastle are playing with more of a rhythm in Ballarat.
Jordan Elsey found himself in a great position just past the half-hour mark but some divine intervention from Western goalkeeper Jamie Young helped thwart the Jets at a corner situation.
16′ Goal 1-0: Western strike first… once again
Heading into the game, no team had scored the opening goal of the game more times this campaign than Western United.
They’ve continued their first start to matches, extending that tally to 12 goals thanks to Leo Lacroix, who heads home from a corner.
It’s a first goal for Swiss defender Lacroix in Western colours.
A-Leagues to honour
Across the A-Leagues this weekend, there will be a minute of applause in the 23rd minute to celebrate the life of Shane Warne.
The legendary Australian cricketer tragically passed away.
Opta insight
- Western United have won their last two A-League Men games against Newcastle Jets after going winless in their first three meetings in the competition (D1, L2); none of those five games have seen both teams score a goal on the day.
- Western are undefeated in their last seven A-League Men games (W5, D2) and have won their last three on the bounce; furthermore, they have won their last six home games on the bounce and kept five clean sheets in the process.
- Western have lost four of their five previous A-League Men games at Mars Stadium (W1), failing to score a goal on three occasions in that span, while this will be the Jets’ first game at the venue in the competition.
- Newcastle have won only one of their last five A-League Men games as the away team on the day (D2, L2) and will be looking to avoid consecutive away defeats for the first time since April 2021 after succumbing to a 3-0 loss to Melbourne City at AAMI Park in their last away game (February 18, 2022).
- Western (19) and the Jets (21) have used fewer players than any other teams in the 2021-22 A-League Men campaign.
- No team has scored the opening goal of the game more times this A-League Men campaign than Western United (11); however, they are one of only three teams to have lost 100% of their games when they’ve conceded the opening goal of the game on the day (3/3).
- Aleksandar Prijovic has been directly involved in eight goals in the A-League Men since the beginning of February 2022 (4 goals, 4 assists), more than any other player in the competition in that time.
- Beka Mikeltadze has scored seven goals in his last eight A-League Men games, including two goals in his last three games away from McDonald Jones Stadium.
Ballarat return has red-hot Western eyeing the summit
Western United are back in Ballarat for the first time since May 2021 as they gun for four consecutive victories and top spot in the ALM.
John Aloisi’s Western – who have two matches in hand – have soared level on points with defending champions Melbourne City but adrift of goal difference, having conceded just 11 goals in 14 games, going seven unbeaten leading into their meeting with the Jets.
Newcastle boast the scoring prowess of Georgian spearhead Beka Mikeltadze and his eight goals scored in 11 games, and creative midfielder Daniel Penha who tops the league’s assist leaderboard with seven notched from 12 games to date.
The pair lead a bright Jets attacking force eager to put Western’s defence to the test – but they must be careful going the other way: star Western recruit Aleksandar Prijovic is in flying form, with four goals from his last six games.
