No better Derby victory

Sydney is red and black: Wanderers in 4-0 rout of Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium

got exactly what they deserved. The tactics were spot on, we worked really hard on that as well.”

The Western Sydney Wanderers are charging towards their first Finals appearance since the 2016/17 A-League season after demolishing arch-rivals Sydney FC last weekend.

The 4-0 thrashing was Western Sydney’s biggest-ever Derby victory and is being regarded by many as one of the greatest performances in the history of the club. Played in front of 28,000 fans at the all-new Allianz Stadium, bragging rights were on the line last Saturday night after both sides recorded one victory apiece already this season.

Thankfully for local football fans, the Wanderers came out on top and in a very big way.

The result, which came courtesy of goals from Calem Nieuwenhof, Kusini Yengi and an Amor Layouni double, lifts the Wanderers into the third spot on the table with five games of the regular season remaining.

Speaking with the media after the match, Wanderers coach Mark Rudan said the 4-0 demolition was huge.

“It’s probably our best win this year in a derby away from home against our biggest enemy, but the manner in which we won is the most pleasing thing,” he said.

“Today was great, I thought the players

Rudan said his side were confident throughout the week, especially with their game plan.

The Wanderers scored goals in the 13th and 21st minute to push out to a 2-0 lead at half-time. 17 minutes into the second half they scored their third of the evening before the cherry on top was placed in the 75th minute when Layouni got his double. With his side currently clinging to a spot in the all-important top six, Sky Blues coach Steve Corica was gutted after the match.

“It’s very disappointing, we knew how important the game was and we went down 2-0 and it’s tough to come back from,” he said.

“They were way better than us in the final third and took their chances.

“We need to respond to that, you have to come back from losing 4-0 in a derby.”

The Wanderers have the opportunity to push up to equal second on the A-League ladder when they host Adelaide United at CommBank Stadium next Friday night.

Western Sydney will enjoy this weekend off, along with the rest of the A-League, due to an international break, which will see the Socceroos up against Ecuador on Friday and Tuesday nights.

Around The Grounds

BASKETBALL: History was made last weekend, with Penrith winning their first ever game in the NBL1 East competition. Penrith’s women’s team defeated the Illawarra Hawks 83-74 on the back of 20 points, five assists and five rebounds from Tahlia Tupaea. Meanwhile, Penrith’s men’s team have continued their tough initiation in the NBL1 East, blown away by the Hawks 106-63. Penrith captain Pranaya Sakya racked up 11 points alongside Preston Matia and Jaedyn Fetui-Fa’amoe. Penrith’s men’s team will take on the Central Coast Crusaders in Round 3, while their women’s side will face the undefeated Centre of Excellence.

NETBALL: Giants Netball have started their 2023 Super Netball campaign in unfortunate circumstances, belted by the Sunshine Coast Lightning 66-50 last Sunday. With skipper Jo Harten missing due to injury, the Giants were never in it and were playing from behind for most of the match. The Giants will look to bounce back when they battle the West Coast Fever at Ken Rosewall Arena this Sunday at 2pm.

AFL: The Adam Kingsley era at Greater Western Sydney has kicked off with a bang, with the Giants winning their opening round match of the 2023 AFL season. Despite trailing at half-time, the Giants fought back in a big way to defeat Adelaide 106-90. On a day of injury carnage at Giants Stadium and in brutal conditions that peaked at 36 degrees, new Giants skipper Toby Greene slotted 4.4 from 19 disposals to lead his side past the Crows by 16 points. With Lachie Whitfield (concussion), Harry Perryman (hamstring) and Josh Kelly (concussion) watching on from the bench in the last quarter, GWS produced a memo- rable opening-round win, recovering from 31 points down in the second quarter. The Giants will aim for back-to-back victories when they play West Coast this Sunday

RUGBY LEAGUE: Round 7 of the NSWRL Junior Representative season took place last weekend with Penrith enjoying a win in the SG Ball competition. Playing against the New Zealand Warriors at St Marys Leagues Stadium last Sunday, the Panthers claimed victory 24-16. Penrith’s Harold Matthews side at the bye. Both teams will be back in action this weekend, taking on the Parramatta Eels at New Era Stadium.

RUGBY LEAGUE: The junior rugby league community is mourning the loss of 17-year-old Corey Partridge, who passed away last week due to natural causes. Corey was a talented, young player and trainer, and was a cherished member of the Penrith Junior Rugby League family. He played 94 games with the Brothers club before coming over to Cambridge Park to work as a trainer. Teams across the competition wore black armbands last weekend as a mark of respect to Corey and his family.