The Sydney Derby is a fixture that divides the city.
And this Saturday night, both teams will meet for a 90 minute contest that will show Australian football at its most passionate and elite.
Two teams at their brilliant best, two sets of fans straining every sinew to cheer their team on.
Sky Blue against Red and Black, two teams in good form, bringing flair and intensity onto a football pitch and the occasion is a spectacle in itself.
“This is something we relish,” Sydney FC Head Coach Steve Corica said.
“It’s a big game, everyone knows that. It’s an exciting game. It is the game everyone looks forward to.
“These are the challenges of coming away from home and I’m sure the players will be looking forward to it.”
While it’s only 90 minutes, the bragging rights last months and in the words of Socceroos goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne, “These are the ones you want to play in.”
It’s always a headline fixture on the calendar and while Head Coach Marko Rudan highlights the blue collar against white collar narrative amongst supporters, opposition Head Coach Steve Corica knows what this means to the Sky Blue fans.
“The passion from the supporters is something special in this game.”
“Obviously we want our supporters to get right behind us, but we’re both passionate about the game and I’m looking forward to it,” Corica added.
Sydney FC come into this with a good run of form and with captain Alex Wilkinson’s recent return from injury, goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne is enjoying having him on the pitch next to him.
“He is someone that I looked up to as a player, as a person and as a captain and it’s amazing to have his presence on the field,” Redmayne said.
“To get a win for him would be a momentous occasion, for him more than anyone in the team.”
As we head into the second half of the season, Corica believes that with the change of form, his side can make their charge.
“We’re in a decent position to strike. We take it one game at a time and for this weekend, our focus is the three points.”
Redmayne is excited about the prospect of playing to a full house at CommBank Stadium.
“Footballers always like playing in big games and sold-out stadiums,” he added.
“There will be a certain feeling inside the stadium this weekend and I encourage everyone to come and experience the kind of atmosphere that you don’t get in any other sporting context in Australia.”
Match Details
Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC
Isuzu UTE A-League Round 16
Saturday 11th February 2023
CommBank Stadium, Parramatta, NSW
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
