So, back-to-back 3-3 draws in consecutive “Big Blue” fixtures. Terry Antonis with a massive contribution in the second half - Graham Arnold’s decision to switch from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 at half time may have kept his side in the game.
For Melbourne Victory’s part, some excellent work from the dynamic front three - Barbarouses and Ben Khalfallah especially were brilliant. Finkler too, key in the No.10 role, pulling the strings.
Kevin Muscat will be aggrieved his side misses the chance to go top - but a fine display confirming that both these sides will certainly be there in the top six, come finals time.
That’s all from me - I’m off to soak my typing fingers in whisky. Happy Valentines to you all!
Twitter really cutting sick about the dubious penalty, but Sydney FC won’t mind.
Fans too happy with the fare on offer - especially after some frankly turgid action with four goalless halves in the previous six this round:
Seen the highs and the lows in the @ALeague today, but finished with a bang. That was a superb #BigBlue #SYDvMVC
— Chris Galley (@galladinho) February 14, 2015
Full-time! Sydney FC 3 - Melbourne Victory 3
Milligan and Berisha bee-line to have a pop at the referee; Muscat and Arnold share some choice words, but that aside - this game has now, officially finished.
A cracker at the SFS - goals, drama, controversy. Yes, please!
94 min: Corner for Sydney FC, Stambolziev running at players. Coe comes and claims. Drops for dramatic effect. But regathers. “Is there time for one final chance?”
92 min: Galloway booked for shirt pulling on Ibini - Sydney have a corner. Milligan clears, as Jurman goes in the book for a crude foul on Thompson. Valeri’s just gone face-to-face with Graham Arnold off the field. Everyone’s blowing up - Arnies just booted the ball away! Beats that time he got stuck into the hoarding I guess.
91 min: Mandatory close ups of Muscat and Arnold looking aggrieved and angry in equal measure. Hang on a tic, it is five minutes of extra time awarded; not sure why Harps called two earlier. He’s just excitedly shouting random numbers at this stage.
89 min: Antonis tries a snap-shot from just outside the box. Coe deals comfortably, but he really did conjure that from nothing.
Now Thompson charges down the centre - it opens up, the crowd gasps! Nooo - he’s ballooned it over!
87 min: Antonis driving Sydney on. They are pushing for a cracker finale. Stamboliev has come on for his debut in the interim - but only 2 min awarded by the fourth official. Come on, son. Give us five! This game doesn’t want to end just yet.
Goal! Sydney FC 3 - 3 Melbourne Victory
83 min: Good lord, I can’t even keep up with this - he’s gone and done it again! Shane Smeltz has grabbed a second, this time a looping header! Was Coe at fault? Perhaps not. Might have done better. But Sydney FC fans won’t care - suddenly the stadium is jumping again. Sydney FC now with a corner.
82 min: Finkler and Barbarouses were the two to make way for the Victory there.
Fun fact time again: the A-League’s all-time three top goalscorers are now all currently on the pitch.
And, thanks for the emails coming in - turns out there is a ‘silent t’ in Strebre Delovski. Apologies to the whistleblower there.
80 min: Look away, Sydney fans. Victory’s just brought on Archie Thompson. What price a fourth? You know he’ll only need half a sniff. Nabbout’s also come on - I missed who for. Stand by.
Goal! Sydney FC 2 - 3 Melbourne Victory
78 min: Well, they didn’t have to wait long! Nick Ansell with an absolute bullet header from a corner. The young centre half found half a yard, and scores his first ever A-League goal! What a time to grab it.
And.. Here we go - finally some handbags. There’s about 22 players in the middle of pitch. And here’s a turn up - Besart Berisha’s been booked. Captain calm-head stokes the fires; yep, it’s a proper “Big Blue” now.
76 min: JP de Marigny and the Musk-rat both getting a talking to from Delovski. The Melbourne bench really wasn’t happy about that penalty. Ben Khalfallah was the man booked for protesting - the Victory will have to do their talking with their feet now.
74 min: A fair bit of temper now - one of the Victory players goes in the book for the protests. You wouldn’t believe this Smeltz character - he’s got another one against the Victory, and he’s hardly been on the pitch.
We’ve had a 0-0, a 1-1, and a 3-3 in the three games between Sydney and Melbourne this season - have they now collected the full set? Still 15 minutes to see if this one doesn’t finish 2-2.
Goal! Sydney FC 2 - Melbourne Victory 2
73 min: And.. no mistake! Smeltz cool as you like. Strokes to Coe’s left, taken with aplomb.
Penalty!
71 min: Uhoh, Srebre’s got this completely wrong. Never a penalty - Ryall trips behind the back of Finkler, and the Brazilian’s been penalised. “That’s a howler” says Harps.
Who’s to take it - Janko’s off? Smeltz grabs the ball.
70 min: Oooh! Massive chance there for Sydney FC. Dimitrijevic 1v1 with Coe after a horrific clearance by Geria. Passes straight to the Serbian who jinks his way through.
Hold on, hold on.. this is hotting up!
68 min: Nervy moments in the Melbourne goal, as Coe claims a second ball. Came, but didn’t claim - veni, vidi, nah, I don’t know the Latin for ‘flapped’.. but it probably doesn’t start with ‘v’, let’s face it.
65 min: Shame Smeltz comes on for Janko. He grabbed a few in the 3-3 against Victory. Can the all-time second top goalscorer in the A-League make up ground on his nemesis, Archibald Thompson?
64 min: Gui Finkler with a set piece - Leijer rises unmarked, and nods it just wide of Janjetovic’s right-hand upright. Should have done better, the one-time Fulham man - could have put Sydney FC to bed.
62 min: Ibini attempts a back-to-goal flicked pass, gives away possession cheaply. He does appear to have two settings, does Bernie - ‘screamer for 40’, or ‘just a bit aimless’.
59 min: With Geria having what some on Twitter are calling an ‘absolute mare’, the ‘Feed the Brox’ campaign is beginning to ramp up:
#SYDvMVC A @LeighBroxham on the bench is safe, but that is not what @LeighBroxham was built for Jason Geria OFF, @LeighBroxham on ASAP
— Kire Georgievski (@kgeorgievski) February 14, 2015
56 min: Melbourne Victory to stroke it around. No urgency from them - they’re happy to let FC chase this. Bit early for that type of tactic, you don’t want to invite too much pressure. Gersbach doing well down the left - Antonis with a shot that’s blocked; claims for handball! Not given.
53 min: Adrian Leijer is down receiving treatment on a sore ankle here. Arnie’s had a pop at the fourth official. And someone’s been booked. Why? Who can say. Come on Harper and Hill. You’re my eyes and ears here. Carl Valeri goes in the book - possible for dissent. Or bad breath. Who can say.
52 min: A touch more endeavour here from Sydney. Tavares with a clever ball through for Antonis - he goes down in the box, fishing for a penalty. Nope. Never once. Not even close. Referee Delovski agrees.
49 min: “Absolutely delicious from Finkler” - commentators enjoying this as Melbourne’s front three pick up where they left off. Sydney FC trying to stroke it round at the back, probing to release Brosque. He’s been clattered by Geria, and picks up the freekick. Geria better watch his step - he was booked in the first half (and he gave away the penalty..) - skating on thin ice. Ryall heads the subsequent freekick just over.
48 min: Was that the world’s quickest half-time break? I barely even got a chance to check the score in the cricket. Hahaha. Carry on then, England. You’re doing just fine.
Second half: Sydney FC 1 - Melbourne Victory 2
46 min: And.. we’re back underway. Terry Antonis comes on at half-time - the subdued Christopher ‘Kiki’ Naumoff makes way. Sydney FC shuffle to a 4-3-3; I believe. Hard to type and dissect tactics at the same time, I guess.
Well, that’s certainly the best photo from the first half so far. I wonder, was this at 1-nil up, or 1-2 down for Sydney FC? Be awkward if it was the former..
What did you make of that first half? Shoot me your thoughts, well-considered or otherwise, to either richard.parkin.casual (AT) guardian.co.uk; or tweet to @rrjparkin.
Half-time: Sydney FC 1 - 2 Melbourne Victory
Great response from the Victory - they very much dominated the back end of that half. Ben Khalfallah and Barbarouses causing no end of havoc with direct and silky running. Naumoff, Ibini and Brosque far too quite for the Sky Blues - someone has to take this game by the scruff of the neck if they’re to get back in this. Let’s see if an Arnie ‘hairdryer’ can spark something in the second half.
45 min: 62% possession to Victory over the last ten - yep, seems about right. All the attacking impetus belonging to the team in white. Kevin “Musky” Muscat blowing up for seeming no reason on the sideline. Why not. Maybe he just gets bored.
Ps. Why do they call him Musky? Does yelling that much see a brother work up a real sweat? Poor JP de Marigny, his number two - like sitting next to really sweary, angry skunk.
43 min: Well, there’s our answer - will this be a cagey “Big Blue” or a thriller? Edging more towards the latter at this stage, but Sydney FC will need to show a bit more hunger in the second half; the last twenty minutes has all been Melbourne. Sydney defending a corner to near silence, just in front of their ‘active support’ section.
Goal! Sydney FC 1 - 2 Melbourne Victory
40 min: Oh dear, home fans. Barbarouses will a brilliant run and then jinking pass to put Finkler through 1v1 with the ‘keeper. Does he miss? Not bloody likely - Gui Finkler slots home his fourth of the season.
Victory coming home strongly here - now’s time for the grumpy frown, Arnie.
38 min: Ben Khalfallah causing all sorts of mischief down Melbourne’s left flank, young Calver looks set for a tough night at the back.
Meanwhile, an observation for the young’uns at home - stay on your feet, kids:
Barbarouses doesn't fall over when fouled - gets the reward. #SYDvMVC @rrjparkin
— Mike Ticher (@mikewsc1) February 14, 2015
36 min: So Sydney FC back at square one. Alex Brosque with a stabbed shot, straight at Coe - you know, I don’t think I’ve heard his name so far. The home side needing more from their captain, at this stage.
Goal! Sydney FC 1 - Melbourne Victory 1
34 min: Absolutely gorgeous combination between Barbarouses and Berisha, sees the Kiwi conjure something from nothing! The two of them have jinked straight through the Sydney FC defence. Can’t really fault the backline, that was just beautiful feet from the two Victory frontmen.
32 min: Second reference by the commentators to the relaid pitch, thanks to a One Direction concert here at the SFS; missed an opportunity there for a shoddy segue such as “but this game is flowing in two directions”..
30 min: Great defensive header from Geria, prevents Janko from connecting with the head to Calver’s whipped cross.
So, a third of the way in, and here’s Berisha-watch: hasn’t had too much to go at, but has looked lively.
27 min: A few tackles of the ‘lusty’ category being thrown around here. Dimitrijevic starting to pull the strings a bit. He really is class, when he’s fully fit. Who needs Del Piero, huh?
25 min: Corner for Sydney FC, but they fail to beat the first man - disappointing delivery. Close up of a grumpy looking Graham Arnold. Fair suck, Arnie - you’re one-nil up, save that caper for when you really need it.
22 min: Janko (yes, with a ‘k’) heads clear from another Melbourne set piece. I don’t want to say ‘under the pump’ but Sydney certainly are seeing a bit more of the traffic around their goal box, all of a sudden.
20 min: Fox Sports commentator Simon Hill has just dropped the first “Well, this is bubbling nicely” of the evening..
Meanwhile - this:
Woops #SYDvMVC #aleague pic.twitter.com/DZXPduPgAm
— Ryan Cropp (@ryancropp) February 14, 2015
19 min: Nah... Forget about it, he’s rubbish isn’t he? Struck straight into the wall, and Sydney FC clear their lines. And yes, before you bombard me - that’s sarcasm.
17 min: Janjetovic tips over the post for a corner - a deflected shot from Berisha; the Victory starting to look a bit likely here.
Dimitrijevic has just been pinged for high foot, a freekick just outside the box - uhoh.. This looks like Finkler territory.
16 min: Nice combination between Valeri and Berisha to create half a chance - great covering tackle by Seb Ryall; crucial interception there.
He always manages to play well against his former club, does Ryall. Some of you might remember his marauding run and goal from a few years back. Champagne.
14 min: The home side comfortably playing the ball round here - they’ve started marginally the brighter. Tavares and Dimitrijevic controlling things well in midfield; you’d hope so because they’re both keeping Socceroo Terry Antonis on the bench. Bit harsh, that.
11 min: Milligan catches Janko in the back of his head. Srebre Delovski waves play on - don’t tell me the Austrian will be in the wars again..
Here’s Janko from last week:
10 min: First close up of Kevin Muscat looking unamused. Screenshot that, all you Sydney FC fans. Andy Harper just trots out that penalty stat - too slow Harper, too slow.
Well how’s this for fun - we’ve had five goals so far in Round 17 of the A-League - and all five of them have been penalties. What are the odds this won’t be the last one we’ll see tonight?
Goal! Sydney FC 1 - 0 Melbourne Victory
8 min: No mistake from the captain of Austria, Coe no chance - fine penalty.
Penalty!
7 min: Geria brings down Naumoff - referee with no hesitation. Janko to take it..
5 min: First look at both Barbarouses and Ibini trying to exploit space behind the fullbacks. Sydney FC will be hoping the Kiwi flyer is having an off night.
3 min: Dimitrijevic dispossed in midfield, before a foul is awarded to Victory. Some good harrying, but no malice in the tackles so far. That said Valeri just puts himself about.
Kick off
1 min: and Melbourne get us under way - running right to left, Sydney conversely. Not that that means much to you for this portal, now does it. Intrigued to see how this backline of Calver, Ryall, Jurman and Gersbach holds up..
A lot of single men, or alternatively unhappy partners somewhere, as the Cove file in for a Valentine’s special. I heard some people complaining they’d have to choose between their two great loves.. Don’t be duffers, get down to the SFS with your better half!
Cove warming up before kickoff #SydneyIsSkyBlue #SYDvMVC pic.twitter.com/o9jj3McfE5
— James Mason (@xen0n33) February 14, 2015
Benches:
Sydney FC - Necevski (GK), Smeltz, Antonis, Grant, Stamboliev
Melbourne Victory - Thomas (GK), Broxham, Thompson, Nabbout, Mahazi
Here are the two line ups:
Sydney FC (4-4-2):
Janjetovic; Gersbach, Jurman, Ryall, Calver; Naumoff, Dimitrijevic, Tavares, Ibini; Janko, Brosque
Melbourne Victory (4-2-3-1):
Coe; Galloway, Ansell, Leijer, Geria; Milligan, Valeri, Finkler; Ben Khalfallah, Berisha, Barbarouses
Preamble
Seven points separate the two sides on the table, but both teams have pretty good reasons to want to win this one. Should Victory emerge triumphant, they’ll go top - albeit temporarily - knocking Perth off their perch for the first time since Round 5.
For Sydney FC, back-to-back wins have given many fans the impression their pre-Asian Cup ‘horror run’ is now behind them, but a morale-sapping loss here could remind them of the fact that they had previously failed to win in seven. Eight goals in two games has sparked the faithful though - can they make a late charge for the title?
Just to make it fun - Sydney FC will be without both first-choice centre defenders following Petkovic and Faty’s red cards against Perth. Won’t Berisha be gutted about that.
For Melbourne Victory, they get to welcome back captain and former Sydney FC right back, Mark Milligan - how crucial could he prove here?
In the A-League’s early years it was the undisputed fixture, but the “Big Blue” has had stiff competition in recent seasons from both the Sydney and Melbourne derbies. With Kevin Muscat - a Sydney fan favourite - now coaching the Victory, it’s a clash that still stokes the passions though.
The two sides have met three times this season, and all three times it’s finished in a draw. A pulsating 3-3 in round 10 being by far the highlight. Archie Thompson helped himself to a hat-trick on that occasion; by golly, doesn’t he just love to score against Sydney FC.
Richard Parkin will be here shortly to catch every moment of the of the game at Allianz Stadium as second placed Melbourne take on fifth placed Sydney.
In the meantime, here’s Paul Connolly’s preview of round 17:
It’s easy to forget because we saw him performing admirably for the Socceroos during the Asian Cup but Mark Milligan’s appearance for Melbourne Victory on Saturday against Sydney FC will be his first since December 13, six matches ago.
In a nice bit of symmetry, Victory’s opponents that evening were Sydney FC and it was in that game that Milligan earned a three-match suspension (but not a send-off, Mr Magoo being the referee that evening) for elbowing Terry Antonis, with whom he went into Socceroos camp (and, I imagine, the pair quickly made up at the bain-marie in the mess hall upon discovering a shared love of quinoa, or cocktail frankfurters, or whatever).
Get your canapés, mixers and ice blocks ready - let’s do this in style.
