Another Sydney Derby has come around quickly and the Wanderers will be hoping to repeat their heroics from their first meeting this season by handing bitter rivals Sydney FC a second defeat when they meet at Jubilee Stadium on Friday night.
The season has taken different courses for the two clubs since the Red & Black won their Round 3 clash 1-0 at Bankwest Stadium with Sydney going unbeaten and opening a 13 point break at the top of the table and the Wanderers slumping, but now back with some decent momentum following two wins and a draw from their past three games.
What we have learned, however, from the history between the two clubs is that it doesn’t matter the circumstances of where the clubs are positioned on the table or how well they are traveling, you always have to be prepared for the unexpected with the Sydney Derby.
It was said that there was more than a touch of luck in the Red & Black’s win earlier in the season, but the truth of the matter is that they showed resilience and determination to keep their rivals at bay in the face of an attacking onslaught.
And while interim Head Coach Jean-Paul de Marigny is not one for looking back, that determination and spirit is something he will take from that win and wants his team to replicate on Friday night.
The Wanderers will go into the game – the first Sydney Derby to be played at the venue – full of confidence having secured seven points from a possible nine since de Marigny took charge of the squad.
As witnessed in the 5-2 win over Adelaide United last week, they are playing with belief and an attacking mindset that has caught the
attention of fans and critics alike.
Importantly, they showed they have plenty of fight and spirit.
Having scored early against United they then found themselves 2-1 down and, on the evidence of the mid-season, few would have expected them to bounce back. But, they did, scoring another four times in what was an exhilarating performance.
Every player has responded superbly over the past month, notably the likes of Bruce Kamau, who has been in sensational form, captain Mitchell Duke and striker Simon Cox.
Kamau has been an irresistible force playing wide on the right, Duke’s double last week took him to nine goals for the season and Cox grabbed his second in just three appearances since arriving from England.
Of course, Sydney, who have managed 12 wins and a draw from their past 13 games in the national competition, will be a tough nut to crack on their home turf. The defending champions are on a roll in the Hyundai A-League and will be determined to make amends for that Round 3 defeat.
