Ahead of the 36th Sydney Derby, we take a look back at some of the best that we have ever seen. From end to end affairs to come-backs, these five will take some topping.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Sydney FC – 20th October 2012
In the very first meeting between these two sides, while Western Sydney had all the hype around being a new club in the league, it would be a Sydney FC star who stole the show.
A second half penalty was parried by the keeper and swept home by none other than Alessandro Del Piero. The very first goal in the Sydney Derby would prove to be the match winner as the Italian wheeled away to celebrate with the small pocket of Sky Blue fans in a packed stadium.
While not the highest scoring match ever, that penalty and goal will go down in history and be remembered for years to come as being the very first.
Sydney FC 3-2 Western Sydney Wanderers – 18th October 2014
The 41,000 fans inside Allianz Stadium that night were treated to an absolute classic. When the Wanderers raced out to a 20 minute lead away from home, their set of supporters to the right of the tunnel were ecstatic and their passion only increased when their advantage was doubled six minutes later.
A stunned Sky Blue fan base saw the first half come and go but were invigorated when Corey Gameiro scored within a minute of the half time restart. An own goal to Romeo Castelan five minutes later almost took the roof off the venue and it was suddenly game on again.
The match took a turn when Vitor Saba was shown a red card and it didn’t take long for Sydney FC to take full advantage. Alex Brosque would score the winner with just over ten minutes left on the clock. Cue scenes of jubilation in The Cove as the turnaround was complete and the Sky Blues walked away 3-2 victors against their biggest rivals.
Western Sydney Wanderers 3-4 Sydney FC – 28th February 2015
The 2014/15 season of Sydney Derbies had already thrown up the 3-2 comeback at Allianz Stadium but what happened in Parramatta in February was even more insane.
Much like the earlier match-up it would be the visitors who would race out to an early lead and Sydney FC found themselves three goals to the good after 24 minutes. Marc Janko was involved in all goals and had a brilliant first half at Pirtek Stadium.
When it seemed that Graham Arnold’s side would run away with it, the hosts found a second wind and it was 3-2 before the break in a chaotic opening 45.
Into the second half, Kerem Bulut added another to his name to bring the scoreline to a remarkable 3-3 with more than 30 minutes still to play.
Sydney FC grabbed the final goal of the game through Terry Antonis and he wheeled away to celebrate with the away fans in the corner of Pirtek Stadium in great scenes.
The drama wasn’t done though as Mikael Tavares was shown a second yellow card and was sent off with the Sky Blues having to withstand a late onslaught from the Red and Black to hold onto their three points.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0-5 Sydney FC – 9th December 2017
When the two sides met for the second time during the 2017/18 season, few would have predicted the scoreline to be as emphatic as it turned out.
Polish import Adrian Mierzejewski got the scoring started and Alex Brosque followed up with another at ANZ Stadium (now Accor Stadium). Adrian got his second of the half with a stunning free-kick just before the half time whistle and Graham Arnold’s side were three up at the break.
In the second half, it was more of the same. Michael Zullo had a goal disallowed not long after Lachlan Scott had put it in his own net for the Wanderers and soon, Brandon O’Neill piled on the misery with a fifth goal of the afternoon.
This remains the biggest winning margin in this fixture’s history and will take some beating if recent form is to go by.
Western Sydney Wanderers 1-2 Sydney FC – 6th May 2023
The first ever meeting between these two in Finals did not disappoint as Steve Corica’s side travelled to CommBank Stadium and progressed through to the Semi Finals.
The stadium was filled with anticipation as the Wanderers were coming off the back of their best season in years and optimism reverberated around the stadium as Morgan Schneiderlin dispatched his first half penalty past Andrew Redmayne.
Sydney FC pulled off a brilliant second half come back with Robert Mak composed in the box to bring the game level and soon it was Sky Blue jubilation as Adam Le Fondre rose highest to nod home a corner from the Slovakian in front of the fans at that end of the ground.
The visitors held on to secure a historic victory at CommBank Stadium as the Wanderers’ season came to a close at the hands to their biggest rivals.
Grab your tickets to see the 36th instalment of this famous fixture here.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Isuzu UTE A-League Round Five
Saturday 25th November 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEDT
Gates Open: 6:15pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
