Silverware is at stake at the newly named Allianz Stadium on Saturday as two huge rivals do battle for The Beyondblue Cup!
Silverware is at stake at the newly named Allianz Stadium on Saturday as two huge rivals do battle for The Beyondblue Cup!
The Hyundai A-League’s fiercest rivals are joining forces on Saturday night! Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory have teamed up with Beyondblue, an organisation which aims to raise awareness of depression and anxiety and will battle for The beyondblue Cup in the last and most crucial instalment of “The Big Blue” in the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season!
However, while they are showing solidarity in the name of charity, as soon as they step onto the field, their bitter rivalry will be as strong as ever as they battle for silverware and bragging rights on Saturday night. So, get along to Allianz Stadium for this huge clash and cheer your team on to the win!
While Sydney picked up a very creditable 1-1 draw in their derby against the leaders last weekend (indeed, they were seconds away from a fantastic win), Victory’s season was dealt a hammer blow by Newcastle Jets. So, as well as the home side’s top six hopes still being alive, they know that any kind of result against Melbourne will end their rival’s season, which is a pleasing prospect for The Cove!
Melbourne will obviously be desperate for their campaign not to be killed off in Sydney of all places, so both sets of fans are sure to be extra passionate in their support this weekend. Join them and make a difference!
Neither team has managed a win against the other in the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season. On the opening weekend, the clubs played out a 0-0 draw in front of over 40,000 supporters in Victoria.
It was a match far more thrilling than the scoreline would suggest, with a penalty save and a red card bookending the action. If that opening fixture was cracking, then the next meeting at AAMI Park was even better.
After playing some good football, Sydney somehow found themselves 2-0 behind at the break after an Isaka Cernak strike and an effort which deflected in off Sydney keeper Liam Reddy. However, The Sky Blues showed incredible determination to silence a noisy home crowd with a second-half fightback.
After Bruno Cazarine reduced the arrears, former Victory defender Sebastian Ryall scored a dramatic last-minute equaliser which sparked scenes of wild celebration from the players and their travelling army of fans.
Melbourne Victory always turn up to Sydney in massive numbers and make a huge racket, so it’s up to The Cove to try to drown them out. With both sets of rival fans singing non-stop from start to finish, the atmosphere is sure to be incredible, so make sure you are part of the massive crowd on Saturday night!
After two draws, can one of these sides ensure the bragging rights? This clash is going to be epic, as Kewell and Co head to New South Wales desperate to save their season. Why be anywhere else on Saturday night?
