by Jeremy Walker
From the prolific finishing of Bobô to the composure of Ali Abbas, Sydney FC supporters have had their fair share of derby delight.
To such a great degree – we decided to expand our original list of Top 5 Sydney Derby Heroes ahead of Saturday’s clash against the Wanderers at Allianz Stadium…
Bobô
Perhaps unfortunate to miss out on the previous Top 5, Bobô impeccably translated his goalscoring abilities into the derby.
The Brazilian netted five times for the Sky Blues against Western Sydney and is the fixture’s second top scorer of all time – only one goal behind Alex Brosque.
On debut in the Isuzu UTE A-League back in 2016, Bobô scored and assisted in Sydney FC’s then record 4-0 win over the Wanderers – in front of a record 61,880 crowd away at Olympic Park.
Max Burgess
If you have not been rewatching Burgess’ goal from the latest Sydney Derby already, then let us remind you again of the midfielder’s thunderous hit.
After tasting defeat in the first derby of this season last November, the Sky Blues required a response during the second fixture at CommBank Stadium in February.
And respond they did through a pulsating 1-0 win – with Burgess finding the top left corner of the net with an emphatic 16th minute strike from outside the area before running to celebrate with a raucous Cove on enemy territory.
Ali Abbas
The former Iraqi international helped the Sky Blues to their first ever home derby victory in March 2014 – composedly netting a penalty in stoppage time to seal a 3-1 win at Allianz Stadium.
The midfielder would then suffer a horror knee injury two derbies later in November of 2014 – suffering from ACL and MCL tears after colliding with Iacopo La Rocca from Western Sydney.
But in his second game after returning from injury, Abbas would get his revenge, helping Sydney FC to a famous 2-1 win at Parramatta Stadium after Shane Smeltz rocketed home a 90th minute winner.
Marc Janko
The former Austrian international enjoyed a fine spell at Sydney FC, netting 16 goals in just 24 A-League appearances in 2014/15 – but perhaps none more important than his brace against the Wanderers.
In front of a packed out Parramatta Stadium in 2015, the Sky Blues raced into a three goal lead inside 25 minutes, with Janko almost grabbing a hat-trick.
The striker leapt tall in the 9th minute to direct a header onto the crossbar, only for Western Sydney keeper Ante Covic to turn the ball into his own net – with Janko soon completing a clinical double in the space of five minutes to help Sydney FC to a dramatic 4-3 win.
Matthew Jurman
In the Sky Blues’ maiden home derby win in 2014, Jurman netted his first ever A-League goal to bring Sydney FC level at 1-1 before Richard Garcia and Ali Abbas sealed the 3-1 comeback victory.
The former Socceroos defender always had plenty of passion for the derby, typified by the centre-back’s fiery exchange with Wanderers goalkeeper Liam Reddy which almost sparked a brawl in February of 2016.
Jurman’s effort to take the ball off the keeper provoked the Wanderer to flick the ball at his head, with Jurman then grabbing Reddy before reinforcements from both sides entered the goalmouth.
And with the passion of the Sydney Derby set to light up Allianz Stadium on Saturday once more, the 34th edition of the fixture promises to be another classic – kick-off 7:45pm.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Isuzu UTE A-League Round 21
Saturday 18th March 2023
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 7:45pm AEDT
Gates Open: 6:15pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Bold
Tickets: Click Here
