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  • Yengi Lights Up Derby With Late Winner

    mack

    By mack

    The first Sydney Derby of the 2022/23 A-League season served as a temporary pre-World Cup farewell to the A-League and a welcome to the derby for the new Sydney Football Stadium. A tight, tense affair saw the deadlock broken late in the game with a Kusini Yengi thunderbolt to give the Wanderers an emotional victory, their 100th win in the A-League.

    Sydney FC were forced into a number of changes, particularly in defence with Alex Wilkinson injured, Paulo Retre suspended and former Wanderer Jack Rodwell still yet to make his Sydney FC debut. The Wanderers added Yeni N'Gabakoto to their squad to possibly make his first appearance in Red & Black.

    The opening 10 minutes was cagey and rough, neither side could find an advantage while both teams were physical in the challenge, Marcelo in particular was tasked with keeping Patrick Wood quiet and he did so strongly, sending the young forward crashing to the turf to clear a header. 17 minutes in Calem Nieuwenhof had the first decent chance of the game, after the Wanderers attacked down their right flank, and the clearance fell to the midfielder, who managed to bring it down enough for a shot that deflected away for a corner that didn't go to plan but still ended in a blocked shot for Tomislav Mrcela.

    Yengi was inches away from opening the scoring, a lofted ball over the top caught the Sydney FC defence totally square, Yengi rushed onward, with Redmayne coming out of his goal the Wanderers striker couldn't get a toe to send it around Andrew Redmayne. Nieuwenhof picked up the first yellow card of the game after a half hour for a midfield challenge, a harsh booking when it wasn't stopping a promising attack or overly forceful. Borrello forced Redmayne into giving away a corner with a low powered shot that the keeper didn't take any chances with. The corner was whipped in and head tennis results with Marcelo finding his defensive partner Mrcela who sent it over the bar with his own header.

    SFC sprang to life with 5 minutes in the half left, counter-attacking quickly with Anthony Caceres striding forward and firing at Thomas, the rebound producing a corner that Thomas rose to claim easily. Rhyan Grant got away with a series of professional fouls from Alex King, including a blatant body check on Nieuwenhof that killed a Wanderers counter stone dead but wasn't punished with a yellow card. The half ended shortly after, at 0-0 with no clear cut chances for either side having been created.

    Sydney FC came out firing, with Robert Mak cutting back inside on the byline to shoot, Thomas palmed the ball back into the middle of the penalty area where it rebounded from Romain Amalfitano back to the keeper. Yengi took advantage of a mistake from James Donachie, it allowed Yengi to run into the box, from a wide angle he elected to shoot rather than a cutback to Krpic, his shot flashed wide of the far post.

    Milos Ninkovic had spent the week as the centre of the pre-game drama, after leaving Sydney FC in controversial circumstances, he had spent the first hour being booed by his former fan then butchered a gilt edge chance to silence 70% of the crowd. He was clean in on goal after the defence parted like the red sea, he had all the time in the world and in the end, too much time, not managing a strong shot at goal to the delight of the blue portion of the massive crowd.

    The game was begging for a moment of brilliance and it was delivered by Yengi, and begun by Ninkovic. The Serbian maestro pushed forward, creating panic in the Sydney defence, he found a perfect ball to Yengi. With a lot of work to do he cut back once, twice, onto his right boot and rocketed the ball into the roof of the net with Redmayne having no chance. The scorer ran off to the RBB, being mobbed by the fans and his team-mates. Borrello had a similar chance to Ninkovic's with a similar result.

    Yengi took his leave of the game as the Wanderers first sub, with Yeni N'Gbakoto making his debut with a 10 minute cameo as the game was tightly poised at 1-0 to the visitors. Adrian Segecic had a point blank shot in the 89th minute, he was unmarked as Gabriel Cleur was claiming offside instead of marking a player, perhaps the occasion getting the better of the youngster and he fired over.

    Luke Brattan took a long range effort from a cleared corner with just minutes remaining. Ninkovic was simultaneously applauded and booed off the pitch with his 94th minute, time wasting substitution for Alessandro Lopane, who almost immediately picked up a yellow card for clattering into Gerd.

    Brattan's last second chop down as Nieuwenhof strode forward on a counter should have been punished with a straight red, but Alex King bottled the decision as a general melee broke out in the middle of the pitch. Sydney FC were clearly frustrated at their poor performance, being totally outplayed in yet another Derby. As the 97th minute ticked over, King finally blew the full time whistle, giving the Wanderers their first win in the SFS for 9 long years. It was a completely deserved win, a tough fought match with the touch of class from Yengi that blew the game open. The away end exploded in joy, celebrating both the derby win, the performance and rising back up to 2nd place on the A-League ladder.

    The A-League goes on a month long World Cup break, the resumption is set for Saturday the 10th of December with an away trip to face Wellington Phoenix in their erstwhile home of Wollongong.

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    Smoggy

    Smoggy

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Zelinsky said:

    I forgot to mention: post game, when team and RBB did their WDWSF thingy, a Smurf super hero approached from the side. I can only assume that he was going to congratulate Ninkovic to the 1+1+2 contract he signed with WSW, express his joy that N's citizenship issue is sorted, and join in the wsw victory celebrations. 

    Unfortunately for him he was jumped by four security, brought down first, then helped back on his feet and escorted out of the venue. 

    There were a few particularly sour smurfs heading back to the tram :D

    • Popular Comment
    scarcev

    scarcev

    Posted

    • Popular Comment

    Wow, we deserved that, we arent the best team in the comp but I actually think we have enough there that understands what the Derby means so that's a big plus.  We were good for the W.  New stadium meh whatever million it cost for the same shithole with better shithouses and TVs in them. Our CB's were immense especially defensively from set pieces and even thought King had a half decent game.  Would have been icing on the cake if Ninko put that chance away but 3 points and Derby win all that matters.

    Funniest part of the night was a SFC Green P Plater blocking off a WSW guy in the car park yelling out "I don't let WSW scum in front of me" only to be rebuked with "why the **** not even your keeper let one in!!" 

    mack

    mack

    Posted

    25 minutes ago, Zelinsky said:

    As for the new ground: I really don't know what the point was of the rebuild. Yes, there's more and better toilets, more food outlets, but beyond that...

    For most people that's the only differences. For the billionaires club it's much different for the big wigs, which was the only reason they rebuilt the stadium in the first place.

    GE942150

    GE942150

    Posted

    38 minutes ago, Zelinsky said:

    I forgot to mention: post game, when team and RBB did their WDWSF thingy, a Smurf super hero approached from the side. I can only assume that he was going to congratulate Ninkovic to the 1+1+2 contract he signed with WSW, express his joy that N's citizenship issue is sorted, and join in the wsw victory celebrations. 

    Unfortunately for him he was jumped by four security, brought down first, then helped back on his feet and escorted out of the venue. 

    I saw that 😄 

    EmMac

    EmMac

    Posted

    Back from the game. Had a friend who was a derby virgin. She loved it. She was snapping pics taking videos of the rbb (we were the bay next to them). She thought it was brilliant. I did say it helps when we win 😄

    We might not have been amazing, but they never really dominated us, we soaked up the pressure and we deserved the win.

    My final thoughts: the ref was a deadset w@nker. 

    Paul01

    Paul01

    Posted

    Rudan is relentless from observation.

    He implemented what i heard him say last Monday night from his own mouth. Wanderers need to build games on the back of strong defence.

    I'm taking this as game 1 of the Sydney Super Cup so we are top of the table. Celtic are going to smash the Smurfs. We might have a chance against Everton.

    GunnerWanderer

    GunnerWanderer

    Posted

    Thanks Tab with your generous offer and thanks yengi for gobbling it up haha 

    what a **** night tremendous atmosphere derby like the early years 

    took forever to get home but worth every minute - such a high looking forward to tomorrow and reading all the other feel good posts! 

    Paul01

    Paul01

    Posted

    1 hour ago, mack said:

    Next 5 games are against bottom half teams. Then City. Big chance to cement top 2 at very least.

    That depends on the Sea-bogans losing a couple of points. Can't see them losing to Newcastle Jets in their catch-up in December.

    mack

    mack

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, Paul01 said:

    That depends on the Sea-bogans losing a couple of points. Can't see them losing to Newcastle Jets in their catch-up in December.

    We don't play Mariners again until late Jan. Next 5 are Nix (7), WU (12), Roar (8), Mac (10), PG (11) then City

    Paul01

    Paul01

    Posted

    10 minutes ago, mack said:

    We don't play Mariners again until late Jan. Next 5 are Nix (7), WU (12), Roar (8), Mac (10), PG (11) then City

    I was just saying we could be in third spot if CCM beat the Jets and win all their next set of games

    Cynth

    Cynth

    Posted

    Great night! I should be asleep after it taking forever to get home but still buzzing! 
     

    Atmosphere, exciting game and a win, can’t ask for more. 

    Smoggy

    Smoggy

    Posted

    Ahh waking up in the city the morning after the night before, wondering where to go for breakfast. 

    My impression of the stadium..meh..its ok I guess  Wanderers fans are what made it :) I was a bit disoriented at first as I am sure the end we were in used to be the cove end, or have they spun the stadium around so the pitch now faces a diff alignment, perhaps.

    It was an honest hard working performance rather than any invididual brilliance, but that's OK, they get the derby passion and importance You can see at the end the link between fans and club is returning. 

    First time I have done the poznan with my son in years. He could not remember winning at Allianz, so good for the kids aged 15 and under and too young to remember the first 3 seasons.

    Only down side was walking back to the tram a drink can hit my sons back,  half full so copped a bit. I heard the can hit the road but didn't know it had hit him until he told me. My son rightly pulled me along and kept moving because if I had seen who had done it the Teessider in me would have been activated...****ers.

    mack

    mack

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

    My impression of the stadium..meh..its ok I guess  Wanderers fans are what made it :) I was a bit disoriented at first as I am sure the end we were in used to be the cove end, or have they spun the stadium around so the pitch now faces a diff alignment, perhaps.

    It's alignment is slighted rotated clockwise. The old SFS was very north-south, now it's aligned similarly to SCG. That might be why it felt a bit odd.

    Are you sure you weren't standing in the Cove end by mistake?

    Smoggy

    Smoggy

    Posted

    Just now, mack said:

    It's alignment is slighted rotated clockwise. The old SFS was very north-south, now it's aligned similarly to SCG. That might be why it felt a bit odd.

    Are you sure you weren't standing in the Cove end by mistake?

    I think it was because of our entrance gate being right where you arrive. I rocked up expecting to walk around the stadium to the other end, that's what did it I think.

    • Popular Comment
    Zelinsky

    Zelinsky

    Posted

    • Popular Comment
    8 hours ago, mack said:

     

    That’s a remarkable press conference.

    1) Ninkovic won the game because he is a pro, and an AM = Corica, you dumb ass, you let him run too much on the wing, burned him, then treated him like **** and effectively forced him out of the club.

    2) SFC just watched as the Hoff and Zapsford departed. Hoff’s body was not taken care of, and Zapsford “didn’t even train with the first team” = what was Corica doing/thinking?

    3) The importance of Marcelo. After NTS and Alberto left in on hit, it took six years for a manager to plug the black hole at the back. The two Ms are the best CB pairing we’ve ever had at the club.

    4) He explained to the team what it means to be a westie, and it appears they got the memo. After the final whistle they sure couldn’t wait to get in front of the RBB. 

    5) “My boss, Paul Lederer” - he is not reporting to the CEO, but directly to the chairman.

    I am not a fan of Rudan, it will take me more away wins like this and in Melbourne to come around, but my goodness, what a difference compared to the Welsh gas bag. 

    braad

    braad

    Posted

    Just watched the game on replay. Great derby, but not necessarily the best football! 

    Rudan summed it up pretty well in his on-field interview after the match. He definitely says the right words, talking about the west and migrants etc.

    thought the ref had a good game, let a bunch go, but we have to be realistic and accept some of our players fall over easily. As long as it’s consistent refereeing which I thought it was

    happy for 3 points! Fingers crossed Corica isn’t relieved of his duties! 

    WSWJACK

    WSWJACK

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, braad said:

    thought the ref had a good game, let a bunch go, but we have to be realistic and accept some of our players fall over easily. As long as it’s consistent refereeing which I thought it was

    Yeah, could have turned into a card fest at any point and opened the door for a red, but I'll give King credit thought that was his best game reffing I've seen him ref in, not sure was the VAR called upon last night? can't remember, bloody hate VAR me.

    braad

    braad

    Posted

    Also, we actually played some really good combination football in parts. As I said above, there was a lot of scrappy football, but there were also more moments of understanding between players.
    Notably the passing between Ninkovic and Nieuwenhof seemed a bit cerebral. Lovely one touch passing between the two

    braad

    braad

    Posted

    5 minutes ago, WSWJACK said:

    Yeah, could have turned into a card fest at any point and opened the door for a red, but I'll give King credit thought that was his best game reffing I've seen him ref in, not sure was the VAR called upon last night? can't remember, bloody hate VAR me.

    VAR wasn’t called on actively. I think it may have just double checked a few things in the background though, but no waiting delays

    Keithie

    Keithie

    Posted

    Just watched Corica post match conference , he felt they had an even share of the game probably should have won it , he reckons his team played very well. 

    This bloke has the ability to rub you up the wrong way and Brattens post match interview was showing a really sooky pathetic man 

    Smoggy

    Smoggy

    Posted

    20 minutes ago, Keithie said:

    Just watched Corica post match conference , he felt they had an even share of the game probably should have won it , he reckons his team played very well. 

    This bloke has the ability to rub you up the wrong way and Brattens post match interview was showing a really sooky pathetic man 

    A balanced honest approach would be that neither team played that well. You would lose count of the number of over or under hit passes. It wasn't a classic on the pitch.

    But is was a classic result, and for us that's all that matters :)

    sonar

    sonar

    Posted

    Before the season started if we're going to be honest you have to say the vast majority of us would of taken second on the ladder, four wins a draw and a loss in our first 6 games. The most heartening thing is there is still room for much improvement.

     

     

    Smoggy

    Smoggy

    Posted (edited)

    4 minutes ago, sonar said:

    Before the season started if we're going to be honest you have to say the vast majority of us would of taken second on the ladder, four wins a draw and a loss in our first 6 games. The most heartening thing is there is still room for much improvement.

     

     

    Oh absolutely we would have taken this. Let's hope the CCM game was a one off.

    Already looking forward to going down to Wollongong after the world cup.

    Edited by Smoggy
    Erebus

    Erebus

    Posted

    How the fk did Lolley get 2 points and considered the 2nd best player of the game by the Muppets that choose those 3,2,1 points? :rofl:

    I didn't even notice him on the park!



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