Melbourne Victory has crashed Sydney FC’s long-awaited homecoming, with a second-half raid spearheaded by former Manchester United star Luis Nani and fringe Socceroo Chris Ikonomidis steering them to a thrilling 3-2 win at the new Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues had been waiting for this day for four long years, and not even relentless rain could keep away the 21,840 diehards who braved the dreary weather to take in this little piece of Big Blue history. They were treated to a belting contest with ebbs, flows and some terrific passages of play – although not the end result that most in the crowd would have wanted.
Steve Corica’s men had the better of general play, too, but much like last season, they failed to kill off their opponents when they had the chance and paid the ultimate price as arguably their fiercest rivals twice came back from a goal down to claim the three points.
Nani, 35, had an otherwise quiet night but like all world-class players, even those past their prime, he only needed half an opportunity to make his presence felt – and so he did in the 67th minute, producing a beautifully weighted ground ball to the back post as Victory mounted a rapid counter-attack.
Ikonomidis, subbed on only a few minutes earlier, was on the spot to slam home the ex-Portuguese international’s delivery for his first A-League goal for the club, driving a dagger through Sydney’s hearts to make it 2-1.
Sydney defender James Donachie headed in a free kick from new Spanish left-back Diego Caballo 12 minutes later to level the scores, but their joy was short-lived. Four minutes after that, Victory were at it again on the break, with Ikonomidis providing the final pass for skipper Josh Brillante to score from close range in a similar move to their previous goal.
Luis Nani set up one of Melbourne Victory’s goals on his A-League debut.Credit:Getty
After a disappointing campaign for Victory last season, this was a timely performance from Ikonomidis in front of Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, who would have also been impressed with the showings from Nick D’Agostino and Ben Folami as the duo combined for Melbourne’s first goal.
For Nani, the new face of the A-League, it was a solid start to life in Australia. He was targeted with (presumably) respectful boos from The Cove throughout the match, and was brought off with around 20 minutes to go. Coach Tony Popovic will have been delighted with his performance and Victory’s fightback – while his counterpart and ex-teammate Corica will be under immediate pressure to turn things around away to Western United next weekend, with the memory of last season’s disastrous eighth-placed finish still fresh in the mind.
As for Allianz Stadium itself, somehow the surface managed to play true despite the deluge, with puddles in sections of the pitch draining just before they managed to present a real problem to referee Chris Beath – who, for his troubles, was accidentally poleaxed by Rhyan Grant in the second half but managed to recover and saw out the full 90.
The first half was end-to-end stuff. Sydney drew first blood 15 minutes in, with the honour of their first goal at the new stadium falling to new Slovakian import Robert Mak, who hammered home from close range after being slipped a pass by Patrick Yazbek.
Robert Mak opens the scoring for Sydney FC – the first A-League goal at the new Allianz Stadium.Credit:Getty
The hosts had the early ascendancy, but Victory wrestled it back in the middle part of the first half, and had the equaliser on 31 minutes when D’Agostino craned his head to perfection to steer home Folami’s cross.
From there to the break, though, it was all Sky Blue, with Mak and fellow recruit Joe Lolley running amok down the flanks. Lolley almost made it 2-1 when he cut in from the right and took a swipe at goal with his left foot, which goalkeeper Paul Izzo saved but almost spilled into his own net via the woodwork. Mak, too, had a rasping attempt deflected wide of the mark. Had any of these gone in, it might have been a different outcome.
