Sydney FC triumphed over Western Sydney Wanderers with a 2-0 victory in the 44th Sydney Derby, courtesy of goals from Al Hassan Touré and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos.
Touré, who found the back of the net for the first time since December, was joined on the scoresheet by Stamatelopoulos, whose goal secured Patrick Kisnorbo his inaugural win as head coach of Sydney FC.
This victory marks Sydney FC’s 22nd win in the Sydney Derby and propels them to third place on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder, overtaking Adelaide United after a crucial second goal. Meanwhile, Western Sydney remains at the bottom of the table, trailing by three points.
The Sky Blues had the first opportunity when Ben Garuccio controlled a long pass beautifully, surged into the penalty area, and crossed it in front of goal, narrowly missing as Stamatelopoulos attempted a sliding finish. Shortly after, Ahmet Arslan capitalised on a misplaced pass from Anthony Pantazopoulos, unleashing a curling shot that was expertly saved by Lawrence Thomas.
Wataru Kamijo gave away a needless free kick after colliding with Angus Thurgate in the 12th minute. Pantazopoulos took aim, forcing Harrison Devenish-Meares into a somewhat awkward save as his shot dipped sharply.
Garuccio was again the focal point after receiving a long diagonal ball. After wrestling for possession, he laid it off for Al Hassan Touré, who disappointingly slammed his first-time shot wide of the target.
However, just moments later, Touré ended his four-month dry spell by converting a pass from Kamijo, taking a touch before smashing the opener past the goalkeeper at the near post.
The Sky Blues sliced through the Wanderers’ defence too easily, but when Stamatelopoulos rounded Thomas for an easy finish, Josh Brillante arrived just in time to clear the ball off the line, although the offside flag was raised soon after.
The final ten minutes of the first half saw a flurry of activity resulting in five yellow cards, and in the 43rd minute, Brandon Borrello sparked that tense period by taking a clever shot from outside the area that hit the top of the crossbar.
Western Sydney thought they had found an equaliser just before the hour mark. Steven Ugarković delivered a cross that found Borrello’s head, prompting a stunning diving save from Devenish-Meares. Yet, as the ball ricocheted off the crossbar, Bozhidar Kraev managed to head it in over the scrambling Sydney goalkeeper. However, VAR review indicated that Kraev had handled the ball during the scramble, and the goal was ruled out.
The introduction of Ryan Fraser instantly posed a threat; after his first shot was deflected for a corner, Pantazopoulos’ glancing header looped across the goal, striking the top of the crossbar.
Western Sydney did well to keep the match within reaching distance, as Thomas parried a fierce strike from Tiago Quintal, which fell to 16-year-old Akol Akon, whose follow-up attempt was thwarted first by Alex Gersbach and then by the recovering keeper.
Quintal was involved once more, regaining possession in a dangerous area before deftly threading the ball between two Wanderers defenders for Stamatelopoulos, who calmly lifted a finish over Thomas, securing the derby for the Sky Blues.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Touré nets his first goal since December, giving Sydney FC the lead.
Stamatelopoulos confirms the bragging rights for the Sky Blues.
WHAT THEY SAID
Ben Garuccio
Lawrence Thomas
Paul Okon-Engstler
Compiled by SportArena.au
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