Whether it’s Sydney FC’s 4-1 thumping of the Wanderers in March, our thrilling last gasp 4-3 win in 2015 or the 2-1 comeback victory in the 2023 Finals Series; there isn’t a shortage of memorable moments to look back on from the Sydney Derby.
But what about those matches that haven’t had a Shane Smeltz or Ali Abbas moment or where no controversy has sparked tempers to flare?
Here’s our recollection of some forgotten fixtures in Australia’s biggest football rivalry, which sit behind the more famous matchups between the two sides.
See if you can remember any of them?
Sydney FC 1 (Jamieson OG ’36) – Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Vidosic 13’) – 20th February 2016 – Allianz Stadium
Over 40,000 people packed Allianz Stadium to watch the Sky Blues take on the Wanderers, with Sydney FC searching for a win to keep pace with the ladder leaders.
The Sky Blues also had one eye on their first AFC Champions League campaign for five years, with a flight to Japan to face the Urawa Red Diamonds awaiting post-game.
The occasion started badly when current Melbourne City Women’s Coach Dario Vidosic finished a Mark Bridge cross to send the Wanderers 1-0 up.
The Sky Blues wrestled back possession as the rain started to tumble down.
And in the 36th minute Alex Brosque struck the ball, which deflected off Scott Jamieson’s foot and into the back of the net.
Despite several chances for the Sky Blues, they could not find a final goal.
As full-time beckoned, the game slowed down before eventually ending after four minutes of added time.
Sydney FC 0 – Western Sydney Wanderers 0 – 14th January 2017 – Allianz Stadium
In a season where Sydney FC claimed the Premiership and the Championship, broke all sorts of records, secured 66 points in the regular season and defeated Big Blue rivals Melbourne Victory in the Grand Final – this Sydney Derby is largely forgotten.
After a memorable 4-0 Sydney FC win at Olympic Park in the opening round, the Sky Blues were hoping for another big scoreline after going unbeaten ever since.
Sitting at the top of the A-League ladder more than 40,000 people packed Allianz Stadium once again.
The Sky Blues started the better of the teams but were wasteful in their chances and the Wanderers produced only a few dangerous shots.
Despite the noise inside the arena no team could give their fans what they wanted and the teams shared the points.
If the derby is remembered for one thing it was when recently traded Western Sydney goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic approached The Cove end after half time and was welcomed by a hail of toy snakes.
Sydney FC 1 (Brosque 7’) – Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Baumjohann 57’) – 13th April 2019 – Olympic Stadium
With three rounds to go in Steve Corica’s opening season Sydney FC needed a win against their rivals to continue to hunt down top spot held by eventual grand finalists Perth Glory.
With all eyes on Olympic Park, Sydney FC started fast, moving deep into the Wanderers’ half, and it paid off as Alex Brosque drilled the ball home to send the Sky Blues 1-0 up seven minutes in.
After that Sydney FC allowed the Wanderers back into the game but they couldn’t find the back of the net due to saves from Andrew Redmayne.
At halftime, Corica substituted Alex Brosque after he picked up an injury to his foot and there was a nervous wait to see if he would be fit to survive a finals campaign.
The Wanderers continued to press on and got their equaliser through current Sky Blues Head of Player Management Alex Baumjohann just before the hour mark from a free-kick.
The game went through a lull until the final ten minutes when the game suddenly opened up, seeing end-to-end football occur where Adam le Fondre and Abraham Majok had chances for their sides.
However, both men could not capitalise; the result was 1-1.
Sydney FC 1 (Barbarouses 63’) – Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Troisi 68’)– 16th January 2021 – Olympic Stadium
In a COVID-plagued season which had only just begun, social distancing meant that the derby would be played in front of 14,402 people at Olympic Park.
Despite the smaller crowd, the match started with both teams playing a lively end-to-end style of football.
Trent Buhagiar’s shot smacking into the post was the closest either side got to a goal in the opening 45 minutes.
After an hour of play Milos Ninkovic ran into James Troisi just inside the box, causing the referee to call a penalty, much to the Wanderers’ surprise.
After Kosta Barbarouses slotted the penalty the game opened up again and James Troisi redeemed himself slotting home a loose ball in the box.
The Wanderers dominated the final 20 minutes but they couldn’t find the clinical touch and the game finished 1-1.
Sydney FC 0 – Western Sydney Wanderers 0 – 20th November 2021 – CommBank Stadium
Over 23,000 filled CommBank Stadium for the opening round of the 2021/2022 season, with Wanderers hoping for a better season than the previous one under Carl Robinson and Sydney FC intent on reclaiming the Championship after going down to Melbourne City 3-1 the previous year.
With former Sky Blues players like Terry Antonis, Bernie Ibini and now current player Jack Rodwell all in the line-up for the Wanderers, more tension was added inside the Parramatta Stadium.
Sydney FC controlled much of the contest but the game was significant for the lack of real clear opportunities and the tenacious tackling of both teams.
Wanderers could not find the magic touch although one barely memorable moment was when their debutant Jack Rodwell hit a shot from long range which Andrew Redmayne did brilliantly to tip over.
That was about all and the match finished 0-0 which is the last time the derby has finished scoreless.
Match Details:
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers Isuzu UTE A-League Round 24 Saturday, 13th March, 2024 Kick Off: 7:45PM Gates Open: 6:15PM Broadcast Live: Paramount+ and 10BOLD Tickets: Click Here
