Get ready for amazing Australia Day action at AAMI Park as the Hyundai A-League's most bitter rivalry recommences.
Get ready for amazing Australia Day action at AAMI Park as the Hyundai A-League's most bitter rivalry recommences!
It's sure to be a Thursday thriller at AAMI Park, as these huge adversaries face off on Australia Day. While the Melbourne derby offers intense cross-city drama, there is nothing quite like a tussle between Victory and Sydney FC for football at its most passionate.
As always, there is sure to be a massive crowd in attendance, with both sets of supporters giving it their all to create a phenomenal atmosphere, so secure your ticket today and experience this battle in the best possible way - by getting right amongst it!
This is the second time the sides have come up against each other in the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season. The previous match-up, at Etihad Stadium, was a truly historic event, as Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton made their Hyundai A-League debuts in a typically intense and exciting encounter. It may have ended 0-0, but was a thrilling affair, with Victory goalkeeper Ante Covic becoming an instant hero by sensationally saving Emerton's penalty in the first-half.
Meanwhile, the visitors also put in a resolute defensive display, keeping Victory at bay despite having Mark Bridge red carded in the closing minutes.
Since then, neither side has fired on all cylinders and both have largely flattered to deceive, so now it's time for them to find some form and some consistency and really make a push for success in the second half of the Hyundai A-League 2011/12 season. And what better way to kick start your campaign than by beating your rivals on Australia Day?
Melbourne Victory, especially, will be looking to bounce back, following an unhappy trip to Western Australia. Not only was the 4-1 defeat the seventh in their past eight away league games against Perth Glory, but the manner of the loss will have Jim Magilton a little worried. His side were outplayed from start to finish. They'll face Sydney without Danny Allsopp after he was sent off against Glory.
The Sky Blues, meanwhile, travel to AAMI Park buoyed by a come-from-behind home win against Gold Coast United which came about through Karol Kisel cancelling out Ben Halloran-s goal and then setting up super-sub Bruno Cazarine, who powered home a 89th minute header.
Games between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC are the first to be circled in their fans' diaries once the fixture list is published and they are preceded by weeks of non-stop banter between the two sets of supporters.
With the first match of the season ending all-square, this Thursday's tussle is huge in terms of bragging rights, but which shade of blue will come out on top? Will Sydney be heading home in celebration, or will Victory reign? Whatever happens, the atmosphere will be incredibly intense at AAMI Park, so be part of a massive crowd as these two giants go at each other. Neither has lived up to their potential so far, so who will seize the initiative on Australia Day? Be there and find out!