These two rivals, steeped in such a caustic, competitive history, are experiencing very different presents. Kevin Muscat’s team are Victory by name and, in the last round of the Asian Champions League, by nature as well, as they secured a fine result against Shanghai SIPG F.C. Graham Arnold’s lot, on the other hand, lost disappointingly to Urawa Reds in their ACL tie, and are suffering through an acutely stale spell. A cross-city Big Blue grudge-match? Well, this ought to liven things up.
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Immediately, Sydney were rocked by Matt Simon’s early abdominal injury. Milos Dimitrijevic replaced him with just 20 minutes gone, 20 minutes that had been a period of near-constant Melbourne pressure. And, as it turned out, as much as the contest was heated, the first half was utterly snooze-worthy, with nothing to get the heart racing bar Gui Finkler’s free kick that, yet again, hit the bar.
But then, as the second half began, Kosta Barbarouses struck, curling a fine shot inside the near post. The Victory winger may well face disciplinary action for a tackle in first half, and so was lucky to even be on the pitch. Nevertheless, following his goal, the game was startled into life. Sydney did well to lift themselves into competitiveness, but Melbourne were always the dominant force, and created the better chances.
Suddenly, Jaques Faty botched a simple volleyed back-pass, and as Besart Berisha ran through on goal, Faty dragged the Albanian back. An obvious red card, and many thought that Sydney’s hopes had left the stadium with their ashen-faced defender. Sydney’s chances appeared utterly evaporated, but David Carney’s solo run and superb finish drew them level with 15 minutes to go. The 10 men in Sky Blue were rallying, and Melbourne swayed horridly after the equaliser. The game was there for the taking, and both teams had claims to it. But it ended, agonisingly, 1-1.
Here are the best Tweets.
Sydney FC’s current form:
L
D
L
D
LCan they turn it around tonight in #MVCvSYD? pic.twitter.com/gNQGGzU9H2
— Unibet Australia (@UNIBETAustralia) 27 February 2016
On our way to tonight’s Melbourne Victory – Sydney FC clash! #BigBlue pic.twitter.com/DPusX374x9
— Oddschecker Au (@OddscheckerAu) 27 February 2016
Melbourne Victory are undefeated in their last EIGHT clashes with Sydney. Can they extend it to nine? #BigBlue
— The Football Sack (@TheFootballSack) 27 February 2016
Mascot taller than the player #BigBlue pic.twitter.com/Ag3xMYfrGR
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) 27 February 2016
@JacquesFaty #Faty heads out to play…. #BigBlue #MVCvSYD #cute pic.twitter.com/AnTB3d8WBy
— Box 2 Box (@Box2BoxNTS) February 27, 2016
Woodwork for @gomvfc @ALeague #BigBlue pic.twitter.com/51OeVMf2rd
— Blair Hughes (@MrBlairHughes) February 27, 2016
Screw McGregor vs Diaz.
I want Berisha vs Janjetovic.#BigBlue #MVCvSYD
— MattiusNotFrontius (@MattiusBackius) February 27, 2016
Berisha’s looks like a villain in a James Bond movie #MVCvSYD
— sam marrone (@dude_brick) February 27, 2016
Right in the middle of it #COYBIB #MVCvSYD #goingtogemba pic.twitter.com/Y1TZrTWNL2
— Dale Wood (@dhwood35) February 27, 2016
Ok here we go. Red or not? #Barbarouses #MVCvSYD pic.twitter.com/7EhjSrsxYz
— David Lewis (@DavidLewis31) February 27, 2016
With that goal, betting is suspended on Arnold mentioning post-match that Barbarouses shouldn’t have been on the field. #BigBlue
— Richard Bayliss (@RichBaylissFOX) February 27, 2016
Barbarouses’ goal in the #bigBlue #victory #mvfc https://t.co/f8pTBj9i4N
— RowZFootball (@RowZOnline) February 27, 2016
Faty gets a red card and Arnold is like #BigBlue pic.twitter.com/Q9X3IHObUl
— El Chapo (@TheBasedChapo) February 27, 2016
Cracking goal 1-1 #MVCvSYD pic.twitter.com/hWp7Lan595
— Dave (@mcfcnorthstand3) February 27, 2016
Those beers didn’t survive the hugs #BigBlue pic.twitter.com/9AR6Sau2Ez
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) February 27, 2016
@brannerz15 slips but @Jurman_5 is there to block @gomvfc w/ a giant left foot #BEASTMODE #SydneyIsSkyBlue #MVCvSYD pic.twitter.com/EGZiwrwNeN
— Alex Wain (@alexwain) February 27, 2016
Zero momentum for @gomvfc at any point this season. So frustrating. Completely one-dimensional. #Stubborn #BigBlue
— Chris Pezzimenti (@cpezzimenti) February 27, 2016
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