By Mitchell Roese
Before we make our long-awaited return home to Allianz Stadium for the 2022/23 Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s and Liberty A-League Women’s seasons in just a few weeks, we take a look back at the top five moments shared at the old Allianz.
Corica claims Sydney’s maiden A-League Men’s Championship
The first A-League season, Sydney FC finished the regular season in second place before advancing to the final after knocking out Premiers Adelaide United in the two-leg semi-final series.
Having won, lost, and drawn in their regular season match-ups, the Sky Blue’s faced third seed Central Coast Mariners in the 2005/06 show-piece in front of 41,689 at the then Aussie Stadium (now Allianz).
Following a tight first 45’ with neither side finding the net, the game broke open in the 62nd minute through Steve Corica, beating Mariners goalkeeper Danny Vukovic from just inside the box after some tidy work from Dwight Yorke, running with arms outstretched in a historic moment in Sydney FC folklore.
Corica’s lone goal proved the difference as Sydney hung on to claim their maiden A-League Men’s championship.
Del Piero’s haul against Wellington Phoenix
12,691 fans at Allianz Stadium were delighted with a masterclass for the ages from marquee international signing Alessandro Del Piero in a 7-1 demolition of Wellington – still standing as Sydney’s biggest win and Phoenix’s worst loss in the competition.
The 38-year-old was the star of the evening, notching a first half hattrick in the space of 19 minutes, before adding to his tally in the 70th minute.
New signing Joel Griffiths netted a goal, with Del Piero assisting the final two goals through Jason Culina and Yairo Yao to pass the previous club record win of 5-1 over Central Coast Mariners in the 2005/06 season.
It is the first and only time the Italian has recorded four goals in one match during his illustrious career.
No other Sky Blue has recorded four goals in a single match.
The prodigal son returns to steal derby victory
A round two fixture saw Sydney FC take on derby rivals Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz, with both teams looking to capture their first victory of the 2014/15 season in front of a then record crowd of 41,213 for a regular season match of any sporting code.
Western Sydney burst out to a 2-0 lead after 24 minutes, before goals from Corey Gameiro and Sasa Ogenovski either side of the half-brought scores level to set-up an intense derby classic finish.
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The tide turned dramatically the way of the Sky Blue, with Wanderers Vitor Saba sent off in the 69th minute with a studs up challenge on Terry Antonis, the score locked at 2-2.
Back from his stint overseas, captain Alex Brosque made the most of the sustained pressure toward the 10 men Wanderers 11 minutes later to steal the winner and kickstart a solid campaign for Graham Arnold’s men.
Double secured in record fashion
20 wins, six draws, one loss, a goal differential of +43, 66 points. The most dominant season to date in the A-League, the Champions took on Melbourne Victory in the 2016/17 A-League Final in front of 41,546 for a chance to capture a second league Double.
Melbourne Victory was out to spoil the party and it didn’t take long for scoring powerhouse Besart Berisha to open their account early in the 20th minute and would hold the lead into the half.
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Rhyan Grant drew level in the 69th minute, and the unbroken deadlock through regular and extra time meant penalties were to be the deciding factor in who would be crowned champions.
Goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, who recorded 15 clean sheets during the season, gathered all his A-League experience to keep the final two Victory penalties out, and Sydney FC were crowned champions once again.
Minor Premiership Showdown
In an historic season for the club in taking out both the Premier’s plate and Championship during the 2009/10 season, Sydney’s fate for many was decided in the final match of the regular season against Melbourne Victory.
Nearly 26,000 fans packed into Allianz Stadium for the title decider, with Sydney needing a win to claim the Premiership, while Victory only required a draw.
Chances came early from both sides, before Sydney’s Slovakian import Karol Kisel sent fans into raptures with a strike from 25 metres out finding the net to give Sydney the lead.
The lead was extended after the break, Socceroo John Aloisi blitzing the Melbourne defence from halfway before rocketing a shot home, ultimately causing a delay from the fanatical celebrations.
Sydney would hold on and claim the Premiership by a single point, before defeating Victory again in the season finale to be crowned Champions for the second time and recording the club’s first Double feat.
