A-League 2021: Sydney FC draw with Western Sydney Wanderers 1-1

Western Sydney Wanderers star James Troisi almost lost his side the Sydney Derby, but managed to make amends just minutes later to save the day.

It took five minutes for James Troisi to turn from villain to hero as he made amends to earn the Western Sydney Wanderers a share of the spoils against fierce rivals Sydney FC.

The 26th edition of the Sydney derby dished up everything from missed chances and a contentious penalty, to a costly blunder, but the 1-1 draw at Stadium Australia on Saturday was probably the fairest result.

It does mean reigning champions Sydney haven’t beaten their rivals in the last five derbies, while the Wanderers showed in the second half just how much they have already improved under Carl Robinson after they fought back from being a goal down in what they felt was controversial circumstances when a penalty gave the Sky Blues the lead.

James Troisi nearly cost his side the game, before coming back to save the day. Picture: Getty Images.

“A very harsh decision. I don’t think it was a penalty,” Robinson said.

“Is it a mistake? In my eyes, yes, that’s a very, very harsh penalty which we had to deal with.”

Unsurprisingly, Steve Corica was adamant it was the right call.

“He [Troisi] put his arm up to block Ninko,” Corica said.

“It was definitely a penalty.”

Sydney’s goal might have come from the spot, but their lead on the hour mark was no less than they deserved.

Moments after Nicolai Muller chipped his effort over the crossbar after spotting Andrew Redmayne off his line, the Sky Blues were back down the other end.

Milos Ninkovic wasn’t really going anywhere, but he was bodychecked by Troisi on the edge of the box. Soft, yes, but a penalty nevertheless and one that Kosta Barbarouses converted to put the Sky Blues in front.

But Troisi made up for his gaffe five minutes later when a rarely seen Redmayne fumble - a calamity by his standards - gifted the Wanderers forward a tap-in to level the scores in the 68th minute.

James Troisi took out Milos Ninkovic, gifting a penalty to Sydney FC. Picture: Getty Images. Picture: Getty Images)

It had been goalless for an hour at Stadium Australia, then two were scored in five minutes to inject a nervous energy into the crowd.

Troisi’s goal also helped the Wanderers move up a few gears. As Sydney faltered in the final 20 minutes in much the same way as they did against Wellington two weeks ago, momentum swung the Wanderers way. The visitors edged possession and chances in the second half, but a winner eluded them.

In the first half slick passing from both sides saw a number of chances created, but neither team could find the finishing touch.

The Sky Blues set the tone, frequently getting behind the Wanderers defence and forcing Daniel Margush into a number of fine saves.

It was end-to-end stuff for most of the half - the Wanderers had a chance cleared off the line, while Trent Buhagiar saw his shot thunder off the post - but in the end Sydney’s dominant first half was cancelled out by the Wanderers dominant second.

James Troisi got his redemption after Andrew Redmayne fumbles, to give Wanderers the equaliser. Picture: Getty Images.

NCA Sports Newsroom