The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers came away from the first Sydney Derby of the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 season, registering a comfortable 2-0 win over Sydney FC in front of a record crowd at Allianz Stadium.
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers came away from the first Sydney Derby of the Hyundai A-League 2013/14 season, registering a comfortable 2-0 win over Sydney FC in front of a record crowd at Allianz Stadium.
The Wanderers dominated from the outset and made their pressure count with first-half goals to Iacopo La Rocca and Shinji Ono giving them a deserved victory.
Earning their first clean sheet of the season, the Red and Black limited the home team to just a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
After back-to-back draws to open the season, the Wanderers certainly deserved their breakthrough win and showed the type of hunger and quality which served them so well last season.
Ono was superb for Tony Popovic’s side providing the cross for La Rocca’s opener before producing a moment of magic for a goal of his own.
Ono-s performance was such that Popovic could not praise the midfielder any higher.
“Shinji-s goal tonight was special and something that we learn to expect from Shinji,” said Popovic.
“We know that he has that and all the big games from last year he was able to stand up and provided the magic and that-s why he is a special player.”
After a typically frenetic start it was the Wanderers who settled better and they capitalised with La Rocca on hand to nod home the fourth goal of his Hyundai A-League career inside 11 minutes.
The Italian, who was sent off in the most recent derby at the end of last season, out-foxed Sebastian Ryall to get on the end of Ono’s pin-point free-kick.
Only the off-side flag denied Youssouf Hersi from doubling the visitors’ lead just four minutes later when he failed to time his run from Tomi Juric’s defence-splitting pass.
The Wanderers were clearly the dominant side and they got their second on 26 minutes after another individual piece of brilliance from Ono.
Receiving the ball just outside the box, the Japanese veteran tried a cheeky chip over the defence which Sky Blues defenders Sebastian Ryall and Tiago Calvano both failed to deal with.
Ono controlled the loose ball on his thigh before steering it past Vedran Janjetovic into the corner of the net.
Brendan Santalab replaced the injured Hersi (foot) at the break and scuffed two shooting opportunities early in the second half.
Sydney tried hard to find a route back into the contest but found the Wanderers defence too hard to breach and it was only some wasteful finishing from the visitors that prevented a heavier defeat.
With the Wanderers fans providing a large and loud presence at Allianz Stadium, Popovic was full of praise for their commitment and passion.
“This result is great for our fans,” he said.
“I-m really pleased for them – the atmosphere was actually unbelievable – as good as anything I-ve seen and better than last year.
“Our fans are special and they go back home really happy and I-m pleased for them.”
For full match details please visit wswanderersfc.com.au (Wanderers Match Centre)
The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers play Adelaide United this Friday at Pirtek Stadium kicking-off at 7:30pm.
