The script was followed as Saso Petrovski returned to Sydney Football Stadium, this time wearing yellow, and his 7th minute goal gave the Mariners some revenge for the first up loss last season. It was important for both teams that they got an early win and the Mariners are now on their way.
The growing derby rivalry between the two teams, based only 80kms apart, was built on with that goal but after the disappointments of last season Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna has assembled a team with balance and depth, evidenced by marquee Tony Vidmar taking no part, and Tom Pondejak plus Greg Owens on the bench. Sydney of course paraded former Brasilian international Juninho, and new captain and former Socceroo Tony Popovic. They started 19 year old ex Blacktown Demon left winger Adam Biddle. They may rue the loss of David Carney to Sheffield United.
Off the field a travelling yellow contingent faced off a much larger sky blue one, fired up for the start of the season. Bragging rights open to the taker.
The game started at a pace, with both sides playing the ball around on the greasy surface.
The only goal of the game came when Clint Bolton hit a short goal kick that only landed near Andre Gumprecht on the right, who slid it across to Saso Petrovski free a few metres away. Petrovski took a few steps and slid the ball under a tentative Tony Popovic and inside the left upright. 0-1
This blemish by an experienced Sydney defence was almost balanced in the 75th minute when the Coast's Olyroo 'keeper Danny Vukovic came out to cover an attack, then came more, only to find himself well outside his area facing off a Brasilian superstar. Juninho responded as one would expect, dribbling past and on goal but blasted over.
Young Vukovic had earlier done his reputation no harm when with Juninho picking up a ball slipped through a packed space at the enge of the area, weaving through to the right of goal, Vukovic was out covering him all the way and keeping his feet in the greasy rain-soaked conditions. In 5 or 6 games the maestro may not be thwarted but in the 45th minute of this season opener he was!
Earlier Sydney certainly had chances - firstly Mark Milligan pulled the trigger just as Mile Jedinak got a boot in, and it dropped just behind the crossbar. Adam Biddle had space to get a shot in on the left but hesitated; and a nice touch through by Juninho put Corica on however Vukovic covered well.
Possesion had been to the Mariners though and they dominated the middle 30 mins, their best chance being a surging run by Nik Mrdja on the left, picked out by Petrovski who slipped the ball nicely to him. The big man shot across goal beating Bolton but the ball cannoned off the right upright, and Gumprecht's follow up shot was blocked.
After the break Branko Culina pushed Juninho up more and brught in Ruben Zadkovich for Biddle. That man Jedinak, doing a close marking job on the Brasilian covered again in the 47th minute when Juninho looked away free.
In the 64th minute Mrdja shot and it was only the out-stretched boot of Bolton that deflected it.
The second half was closer, with Sydney blasting away at the Mariners defence over the last 10.
In the 86th minute Sydney looked to have the equaliser when Mark Rudan swung the ball goalward from the edge of the box, beating Vukovic but former Young Socceroo defender Nigel Boogard cleared before it reached the goal line.
A free kick slipped through all but was off target. Four minutes of extra time saw vigorous attack and eqaully vigorous defence, but 0-1 it finished in pouring rain.
What with the 8:10pm start, the heavy rain, and City Rail train timetables so as a Mariners fan I didn't stay around to hear more about Junihno, or Dean Heffernan's body check on Mark Milligan. So in best modern political style I will ask myself the questions, and answer them!
* Were there 90 minutes and 90 emotions, as the ad promises?
Actually 96 minutes elapsed game time, but both sets of fans
appeared to enjoy this opening game of Season three! Emotions flowed
in the Cove certainly (not always positive), smiles on the faces of
those in yellow, and at the end the Marinators and their team hugged
joyously for the win - after the last 5 regular season games had
delivered no wins.
* Was the full game played by Juninho a success?
To finish the game after so little preparation was very positive for
Sydney, and certainly he showed the touches we crave. His
understanding, particularly with Steve Corica, will improve and make
Sydney a force as usual.