Patryk Klimala was the match-winner on his A-League debut as 10-man Sydney FC defeated Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 within the first Sydney Derby of 2024-25 at CommBank Stadium.
The Polish striker additionally assisted Joe Lolley’s opening purpose, and teen Aydan Hammond scored for Alen Stajcic’s aspect.
Max Burgess noticed purple for a nasty foul within the 87th minute making for a nervy end, simply minutes after he entered the sector as a late substitute.
Douglas Costa began for the Sky Blues and was concerned within the successful purpose, whereas Juan Mata must await his debut, approaching simply after the hour mark.
Earlier, Auckland FC triumphed 2-0 over Brisbane of their inaugural match, with a sell-out Mount Sensible Stadium gallery welcoming the competitors’s latest membership.
Within the Hunter, a purple card and eight yellows had been handed out by Shaun Evans as ten-man Melbourne Metropolis held on to down the Jets 1-0.
Right here’s how the primary Saturday of the brand new A-League marketing campaign unfolded.
Costa influential in 10-man Sydney’s derby triumph
There have been no health issues for brand spanking new Sky Blues star Douglas Costa, the Brazillian winger enjoying 90 minutes on debut and offering the secondary help on Klimala’s match-winning purpose.
Ufuk Talay’s aspect managed a lot of the ball within the first half with Leo Sena, Anas Ouahim and Anthony Caceres successful the engine room battle with possibilities restricted at both finish.
To not be outshined by the arrivals of Costa and Sena, Joe Lolley notched Sydney’s first purpose of the marketing campaign with a cool end into the underside nook, arrange by a cool flick from Klimala but additionally aided by fairly lax Wanderers marking.
Stajcic referred to as upon Bozhidar Kraev for the second half, little doubt needing extra possession after missing management within the opening stanza and Hammond quickly made up for his poor miss simply earlier than half-time, levelling the Sydney Derby with a high quality strike.
Mata was launched simply after the hour mark, however the residence followers’ pleasure quickly turned bitter when Patryk Kliama latched on to a flick from Costa’s cross to fireside Sydney again in entrance.
Sydney needed to play out the previous couple of minutes with 10 males after substitute Max Burgess was despatched off within the 87th minute for a nasty foul, making for a couple of nervous moments because the hosts chased an equaliser.
Mata denied beginning debut
Eyebrows had been raised when marquee recruit Mata was among the many substitutes for Western Sydney, as was ex-Wellington midfielder Kraev, who repalced Zac Sapsford at half-time.
Mata must maintain ready, Stajcic ultimately calling the World Cup winner’s title to switch goal-scorer Hammond within the 63rd minute. The Wanderers supervisor claimed post-game that his star import was able to go from the beginning however he wished to save lots of him till the sport opened up.
“I feel (Mata) does have the health to play longer,” Stajcic mentioned.
“Positively got here in with an honest base. It’s going to take him a while to get used to enjoying match minutes and common match minutes once more.
“He’s a world class participant. We noticed a few of his touches there similar to Douglas Costa and so many different gamers on the pitch right this moment as nicely.”
Stajcic wouldn’t decide to beginning Mata within the Spherical 2 journey to face Western United at Ironbark Fields.
“Anybody in our squad can actually play. I feel we’ve received super depth in our workforce and high quality,” he mentioned.
“Juan’s only one piece of that puzzle as to who will play subsequent week. We’ll assess that. It’s horses after all by way of opposition and what the fashion of sport may be as nicely. We’ll assess that through the week and decide subsequent week on whether or not he begins or not.”
Tristan Vidackovic received the beginning between the posts forward of Jordan Holmes, with an ankle damage preserving No.1 gloveman Lawrence Thomas out of motion. The 21-year-old held his personal, helpless to stop Lolley’s strike or Klimala’s deft header.
Auckland make dream begin in entrance of rocking Mt Sensible
Steve Corica’s Auckland FC made the proper begin to their A-League existence, defeating Brisbane 2-0 at a sold-out Mount Sensible Stadium. Roar’s Harry van der Saag was the brand new membership’s inaugural goal-scorer, which is able to make for trivia query.
Corica might be happy together with his aspect’s efficiency with powerful journeys to Allianz Stadium and Sky Stadium for the Kiwi Clasico to come back within the subsequent fortnight.
A sell-out regarded seemingly after midweek stories of 20,000 tickets having already been shifted for the landmark fixture, and the followers in New Zealand’s most populous metropolis ensured it was a full home in nice scenes for the A-League.
Soccer supporters in Canberra or Wollongong hoping for their very own A-League workforce wouldn’t agree with the choice to grant them a licence, however lots of metrics are in Auckland’s favour. Let’s hope they will preserve a crowd common not less than north of what the opposite current growth golf equipment have managed.
Ten-man Metropolis floor Jets in fiesty encounter
Regardless of Jimmy Jeggo’s Seventieth-minute purple card for violent conduct in opposition to Eli Adams, Marco Tilio’s early purpose was sufficient as Melbourne Metropolis closed out their first victory of 2024-25. Shaun Evans was proper to ship Jeggo for an early bathe after he dug his studs into the Jets teen’s again.
Together with the purple card, Evans brandished a whopping eight yellows because the opening spherical conflict received fiesty.
Younger goakeeper Patrick Seaside was given the nod in purpose forward of veteran Jamie Younger and impressed on his A-League debut, making a number of high quality saves.
Newcastle put in a stable exhibiting at residence, edging the possession rely however finally not creating sufficient to topple Aurelio Vidmar’s aspect. It might be one other lengthy season at McDonald Jones Stadium, however right this moment’s efficiency will give the followers hope that brighter days aren’t too far-off.