Get ready for a sizzling Saturday at Sydney Football Stadium. It’s the New South Wales derby!
Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
Saturday 19th November, 7.45pm
Get ready for a sizzling Saturday at Sydney Football Stadium. It’s the New South Wales derby!
The quest for local bragging rights begins on Saturday night, as two huge New South Wales rivals do battle. Be a part of a big and passionate crowd as these local enemies push for the points. It’s what Saturday nights are made for!
And what an atmosphere it is set to be, with Sydney FC currently enjoying their best league position since their all-conquering Hyundai A-League 2009/10 season.
With three wins from four and sitting proudly in second place on the ladder, the Sky Blues are absolutely flying at the moment, and will go into this match brimming with confidence.
Last weekend, they kept their excellent run of form going with a thrilling 1-0 victory in Perth. Mark Bridge was the hero, starting the move which led to Nicky Carle’s fine turn and pinpoint cross, which Bridge got on the end of.
Having taken the lead, Sydney then displayed a hugely impressive rearguard action as Perth threw everything but the kitchen sink at them in the hunt for an equaliser. When their defence was breached, Liam Reddy was on hand to perform heroics and keep the likes of Smeltz and Dodd out.
Mariners also go into the game on the back of a fine clean sheet, after they drew 0-0 with Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday night. Had the home side been more assertive in front of goal – and had a bit more luck – they would have come away with the win.
Matt McGlinchey had an effort cleared off the line before Daniel McBreen’s header hit the underside of the crossbar. Then another McBreen header, in second-half injury time, almost won it for the home side, but it wasn’t to be.
Still, Graham Arnold will have seen enough attacking promise from his side to give him hope that they can secure a result against a team that has yet to keep a clean sheet on home soil this season.
Meanwhile, the Cove will be looking for more entertainment like the kind they experienced a couple of weeks ago. In one of the most exciting spells of football seen at Sydney Football Stadium for years, Sydney came back from two goals down against Gold Cold United to win 3-2.
The atmosphere was electric as the home side hit two goals in rapid succession in the final half-an-hour and then grabbed a late, late win thank to Karol Kisel’s calm finish from the penalty spot.
In their massively impressive Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season, Mariners were unbeaten against Sydney. They thumped them 4-0 at the Bluetongue and drew the other two encounters, so the Sky Blues will be looking to buck that trend on Saturday and gain some revenge for that four goal embarrassment.
Local bragging rights are at stake at Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night. With the Yellow Army sure to be well represented and the Cove in great voice as well, the atmosphere will be amazing.
Can the Sky Blues treat their fans to another thriller, or will Mariners make the short journey home having stolen all three points? Get yourself along to Sydney Football Stadium and witness the derby day drama for yourself. It’s going to be epic!
