As we prepare to start our 19th season in the Isuzu UTE A-League, we take a look back at some of the best opening day matches that we have been involved in. From the very first match to last season’s opener, here are four of the best Round One matches.
Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne Victory – 28th August 2005
Our first ever match-up in the A-League came against the old rivals, Melbourne Victory and what a rivalry it would become. 25,000 people were inside the Sydney Football Stadium to see the birth of the Big Blue and witness the first ever Sydney FC A-League match.
Dwight Yorke, marquee signing of 2005, opened the scoring that night in front of The Cove and it went down as the first goal that the Sky Blues would score at the Moore Park ground.
The rivalry would continue for years and since then has become even more intense between the two clubs which will be happening again this weekend when they clash at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
Sydney FC 3-3 Melbourne Victory – 7th August 2010
Fast forward five years and the Big Blue would throw up another classic on opening day at Allianz Stadium. A Saturday night under the lights appears to have an affect on these fixtures and this was no different.
The Sky Blues opened up a two goal lead thanks to club legends Alex Brosque and Terry McFlynn and majority inside the stadium were in raptures however Melbourne Victory fought back and scored three goals within seven minutes to turn the game on it’s head.
Sydney needed someone to step up and from a dead ball situation, Shannon Cole curled one into the top corner in front of a packed Cove. The match would finish 3-3 in a classic Big Blue contest.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-4 Sydney FC – 8th October 2016
A famous night in Sydney FC’s history as they piled on the goals in front of 60,000 fans at ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park in the Sydney Derby. It was a night of high drama where both teams wanted to start the season in the best way possible and the Sky Blues did just that.
After a tense and tight opening 45 minutes, Sydney FC took full control in the second half and scored a quickfire double through Filip Holosko and Bobo. With Danny Vukovic making some key saves at the other end, a late red card to Artiz Borda would be curtains for the Wanderers with Brandon O’Neill punishing the Red and Black from the free-kick.
Alex Brosque would score in the final moments of the game to make a statement scoreline for the first round of the season, a season which led the Sky Blues onto Grand Final victory against Melbourne Victory and the Premiership and Championship double.
Sydney FC 2-3 Melbourne Victory – 8th October 2022
While the scoreline may not have been in the Sky Blues’ favour, the 90 minutes of action that evening at Allianz Stadium was simply sensational. After four years of displacement, Sydney FC returned to their Moore Park home and it was the old enemy, Melbourne Victory who were the opponents.
After the opening ceremony, the rain came down in bucketloads and added to the atmosphere which almost hit fever pitch when new import Robert Mak scored the first goal at the new Allianz Stadium. Victoy hit back almost instantly and then took the lead in the second half.
Both teams traded blow for blow and the hosts hit back through a great set-piece which was headed home by James Donachie in front of a jubilant and constantly singing Cove. Unfortunately, Melbourne Victory went up the other end and sent a dagger through the hearts of the home support with a goal from former employer Josh Brillante.
While the result was a negative, the evening was a celebration of the return to Sydney FC’s true home. Allianz Stadium.
This year, if history is anything to go by, we can expect plenty of drama, plenty of goals and a lot to write about in future years when Melbourne Victory come to visit on Saturday night.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Isuzu UTE A-League Round One
Saturday 21st October 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEDT
Gates Open: 6:15pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: 10Bold & Paramount+
Tickets: Click Here
