The top 5 Sydney Derbies

The Sydney derby is likely to break the Hyundai A-League attendance record on Saturday night when Western Sydney Wanderers host Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium.

With ticket sales reportedly north of 60,000 already, the record-holding mark of 55,436 from the 2006 A-League Grand Final at Etihad Stadium – famously won 6-0 by Melbourne Victory – is set to be overhauled.

Sydney Derby banter: Popovic hits back

Saturday night is set to be a huge occasion in the history of a fixture that has quickly grabbed the attention of Sydney and Australia.

In the lead-up to a history-making moment for the A-League, Goal Australia has taken a look at the top five Sydney derbies. 

What do you think? 

5 – The inaugural derby

Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Sydney FC

October 20, 2012

Parramatta Stadium

You always remember your first, right?

This match was perhaps not the best in terms of action that we’ve seen in a Sydney derby but it was a sign of things to come as Wanderland rocked to the chants of rival supporters.

Sydney FC marquee Alessandro Del Piero decided the contest from the spot in dramatic circumstances early in the second half.

Del Piero

The veteran Italian converted his first penalty but was forced to take it again due to encroachment from his team-mates and although Ante Covic saved the second attempt, Del Piero lifted the rebound into the net before wheeling away to celebrate with the travelling Sky Blues supporters.

Western Sydney, who had started their first A-League season in poor shape, notched their maiden win the next week away to Brisbane Roar.

4 – Smeltz’s late show

Western Sydney Wanderers 1-2 Sydney FC

January 16, 2016

Parramatta Stadium

Sydney FC stretched their unbeaten run in the derby to six games in this edition, with the Sky Blues notching an unprecedented third consecutive win.

The visitors took the lead when Jacques Faty headed the ball home in the 22nd minute, with Wanderers goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne unable to collect Seb Ryall’s centring header from a corner.

Dario Vidosic equalised in superb fashion in the 58th minute, curling his shot inside the far post and sparking the home fans.

But Sydney had the last laugh.

Shane Smeltz will return from suspension this weekend for the Sky Blues.

Substitute Shane Smeltz smashed the ball past Redmayne in the 90th minute from Matt Jurman’s knockdown as the Sky Blues fans celebrated again.

3 – Wanderers’ successful invasion

Sydney FC 0-2 Western Sydney Wanderers

October 26, 2013

Sydney Football Stadium

This game was arguably the moment that the Sydney derby came of age.

Having won the A-League premiership in their inaugural season, Western Sydney went to the Sky Blues’ home turf in the third round of the 2013-14 campaign looking to prove themselves as the Harbour City’s biggest club.

With one end of Allianz Stadium covered in Red-and-Black, the Wanderers’ fans certainly made a statement and on the pitch goals to Iacopo La Rocca and Shinji Ono saw Tony Popovic’s men secure victory.

Shinji Ono celebrates a goal during his time with the Wanderers.

Ono was central to the Wanderers’ win, with La Rocca nodding the Japanese midfielder’s free-kick into the net in the 11th minute.

Western Sydney’s marquee then produced one of the best goals the derby has seen, flicking the ball over one opponent, nodding it on and then shooting past Vedran Janjetovic on the turn.

2 – The Og Monster gets angry

Sydney FC 3-2 Western Sydney Wanderers

October 18, 2014

Sydney Football Stadium

Sasa Ognenovski left an indelible mark on this derby as Sydney FC came back from the death.

Western Sydney surged to a 2-0 lead inside 25 minutes as Mark Bridge volleyed Romeo Castelen’s cross into the net and then Sydney goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic misjudged a looping ball and punched it into his own net.

Sydney dragged themselves back into the contest in first-half stoppage time thanks to Corey Gameiro’s goal and Ognenovski levelled the match in the 49th minute.

The Wanderers’ hopes of victory weren’t helped when Vitor Saba was shown a straight red card for a nasty challenge – Ognenovski would be suspended after the fact for slapping the Brazilian in the ensuing melee – and Alex Brosque struck the winner for the Sky Blues with 11 minutes left.

Alex Brosque netted the winner in the dying stages.

The enduring image of this derby, however, is Ognenovski, who had a running battle with Brendon Santalab throughout the game, pushing Janjetovic away from cramping opponent Brendan Hamill as the goalkeeper attempted to help the Western Sydney defender.

1 – Bulut can’t save Wanderers

Western Sydney Wanderers 3-4 Sydney FC

February 28, 2015

Parramatta Stadium

The highest-scoring Sydney derby is unsurprisingly Goal Australia’s favourite.

Sydney looked to be in control early away from home as an Ante Covic own goal, plus a double from Marc Janko, saw the Sky Blues surge into a 3-0 lead by the 24th minute.

Sydney FC striker Marc Janko has netted in six straight games for the Sky Blues.

Iacopo La Rocca dragged Western Sydney back into the game just past the half-hour mark but it was debutant Kerem Bulut, who briefly turned the match on its head.

Bulut struck either side of half-time, with his second goal coming in a haze of flare smoke from the edge of the area and prompting the striker to rip off his shirt and embrace the RBB.

But Sydney recovered and with 16 minutes left, Terry Antonis struck the winning goal to clinch an incredible win.

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