The first Sydney Derby of the season was quick to explode with colour and fanfare in the stands, but the same could not be said for the action on the pitch.
A cagey opening 15 minutes saw little fluency from either side as the tackles came thick and fast. Sydney FC’s new signing Milos Ninkovic was the first to register a chance for the home side, with his shot flashing wide of the post.
Moments later, Romeo Castelen burst down the right-flank but his cutback eluded an incoming Jaushua Sotirio. It would be Castelen’s only contribution of the night, as an injury complaint saw him replaced by Dario Vidosic inside the first 10 minutes.
The home crowd were twice given a scare just before the conclusion of the first period, with Dimas Delgado ruled offside for a gilt-edged chance created by an inventive Vidosic header. In injury time an excellent cross from Mitch Nichols found Sotirio lurking deep in the penalty box, whose header whistled past custodian Vedran Janjetovic and into the back of the net. However, the goal was deemed offside in a contentious call that left those clad in red and black dismayed.
Western Sydney dominated possession in the second half but lacked the clinical finish needed to break the 0-0 deadlock. The Wanderers would be left to rue their profligacy in the 88th minute, when Ninkovic took advantage of an out-of-shape Western Sydney defence to latch onto a perfect pass from midfielder Brandon O’Neill. The Serbian scored with an excellent finish that confirmed for now, Sydney remains sky blue.
Formations
Western Sydney lined up in their customary 4-2-3-1 formation, with an unchanged lineup from their encounter with Adelaide United in round two. Tony Popovic opted for youngster Jaushua Sotirio to start on the left-flank over Australian marquee Vidosic. Federico Piovaccari maintained his role as the lone striker up top.
Western Sydney Wanderers XI (4-2-3-1): Redmayne (GK); Neville, Alberto, Topor-Stanley (C), Jamieson; Dimas, Andreu; Castelen, Nichols, Sotirio; Piovaccari.
For Sydney FC, Filip Holosko made his return to the starting lineup at the expense of Chris Naumoff. The midfield trio of Brandon O’Neill, Milos Dimitrijevic and impressive new signing Milos Ninkovic all survived from Sydney’s 1-0 win over the Newcastle Jets. Shane Smeltz once again had the responsibility of leading the line.
Sydney FC XI (4-2-3-1): Janjetovic (GK); Ryall, Faty, Jurman, Grant; O’Neill, Dimitrijevic; Brosque (C), Ninkovic, Holosko; Smeltz.
Romeo Castelen injury a game changer
In an early blow to the Western Sydney Wanderers, creative spark Castelen was substituted inside the first 10 minutes after an injury complaint. The Dutchman had been a standout in previous editions of the Sydney Derby and seemed dangerous from the outset, embarking on a mazy run on the right-wing to provide an excellent cross that was just missed by Sotirio. Particularly, Castelen’s ability to drift centrally had been utilised by Tony Popovic to great effect in the last clash between the crosstown rivals at Parramatta Stadium. His early substitution forced Tony Popovic to re-shuffle his lineup, forcing Sotirio to the right and Vidosic to the left. With much of the Wanderers attacking play focused on the flanks, it was no doubt a huge disappointment to forego the opportunity to have both Vidosic and Castelen on at the same time in the second period.
Strikers from both sides fail to fire
If there was ever a time to rue the loss of big Austrian striker Marc Janko, last night was it for Sydney FC fans. It was only months ago that Janko scored a hat-trick at Parramatta Stadium in an impressive display that saw the Sky Blues come away from enemy territory with a 4-3 victory. The departure of Janko has paved that way for Smeltz to maintain the number nine position, but in a replication of his performance against the Newcastle Jets the New Zealand international was largely anonymous.
Currently taking to the pitch at The Mansion in search of @ShaneSmeltz ..#missing #SydneyDerby pic.twitter.com/5b8zznhJlb
— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) October 24, 2015
It was the story of a match that was largely forgettable, as a lack of quality service to strikers created an abundance of missed opportunities.
Probably a bit harsh on @ShaneSmeltz .. With the type of football before played in front of him it's a miracle he stayed awake! #SydneyDerby
— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) October 24, 2015
This sentiment would also resonate with Wanderers’ fans, whose high expectations of Italian marquee Piovaccari are still yet to be satisfied. Ineffective in the first half, the big striker often came deep to receive the ball but lacked the first touch or pace required to penetrate the Sydney defence. However, the second half saw an improvement in the number nine’s performance, as some decent touches to play his fellow teammates into the box saw a flurry of chances created for the away side.
Andrew Hoole injects energy in the final moments
As the match drew to a close, it was vital that Sydney FC wrestle back some of the ascendancy from the Wanderers. The substitution of Andrew Hoole for Filip Holosko gave the Sky Blues added pace on the counter-attack. A neat pass to open up space for Ninkovic in the 79th minute exemplified the 22-year-old’s assets on the break. No doubt, the 22-year-old’s impact, alongside a positive cameo off the bench from Matt Simon, provided the energy the home side needed to push to its 1-0 victory.
Sydney FC – Conclusion
It was not pretty but you would be hard pressed to find a Sydney FC fan complaining about taking another three points from their Western Sydney rivals. Ninkovic looks to be a fantastic addition to the side and it is clear the club has the personnel to have another successful A-League campaign. Problems in the striker role must be fixed up in the coming rounds.
Western Sydney Wanderers – Conclusion
Again, it is early in the season but the Wanderers cannot afford to be trapped into a run of losses after the disappointment of their last campaign. Although it is clear that Popovic has again evolved the Wanderers’ style of play – this means little if his side cannot register on the scoresheet. Marquee forward Piovaccari will surely be feeling a mounting pressure to get the ball in the back of the net. Next week’s match against Perth Glory is a must-win for the Wanderers.
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