These are nervy times! With both sides desperate for the win after defeats last week, this is sure to be an explosive local derby!
These are nervy times! With both sides desperate for the win after defeats last week, this is sure to be an explosive local derby!
Whether you wear Yellow & Navy or Sky Blue, there are so many reasons to get yourself a ticket for Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday evening. Firstly, there is nothing quite like the passion, commitment and excitement of a local derby and, secondly, this game is absolutely massive for both clubs.
It’s getting to the stage of the season where every game is a cup final, so be at this one and give your team the lift they need to get back to winning ways.
The Mariners will have spent the last week looking nervously over their shoulders after three defeats and one draw from their last five games has seen a sizeable lead at the top of the ladder whittled down to nearly nothing. Now, Brisbane Roar sit just three points behind them with a superior goal-difference. With four games left, the tension is almost too much to bear.
Sydney FC will be hoping that their decent away form continues on Saturday, after failing to pick up a win at home on Saturday. While the Sky Blues dominated for periods and created plenty of chances, they simply couldn’t find the net. A combination of fine goalkeeping from Mark Paston and some poor finishing allowed Paul Ifill’s 13th-minute header to be the difference.
After a tough trip to Bluetongue Stadium, they face both Melbourne sides and then another local derby, this time against the Jets. That is a mighty tough run in and they won’t be encouraged by the fact that they have yet to pick up a point against the Mariners in the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season.
This will be the first time the two local rivals have met at Bluetongue Stadium in the current campaign. Both other matches have been played down the road at SFS and each of them has resulted in a Mariners victory.
In January, a single early strike from midfielder Oliver Bozanic was the difference. While they also won by the odd goal in November, it was a very different contest that time round. In a five-goal thriller, the Mariners flew into a two-goal lead thanks to a cracking free-kick from star import Patrick Zwaanswijk and a neat finish from Michael McGlinchey either side of half-time.
However, the Sky Blues embarked on a familiar fightback. Nicky Carle pulled one back before Troy Hearfield restored the Yellow & Navy’s two-goal advantage. Brett Emerton’s perfect free-kick set up a frantic finish, but some determined defending meant that all three points went back to the Central Coast. If Saturday’s game is anything like as fast-paced and exciting, then fans are in for a treat.
Sydney will of course be very well represented in the stands as their loyal supporters urge them into the finals, and with the Yellow Army cheering their players towards the Premier’s Plate, the atmosphere at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday is sure to be electric.
Be a part of the derby drama and show your support. Who will emerge victorious? Will the Yellow & Navy move a step closer to glory, or can the Sky Blues keep their finals dream alive? Grab a ticket today and find out!
