Sydney FC 1 Wellington Phoenix 1
Sydney FC’s finals hopes took a big hit on Sunday night as Wellington Phoenix came to town and left with a point to keep their own faint finals aspirations alive. A smashing goal from Adrian Segecic had Sydney in command in a domineering first half, but the lead was wiped out by old boy Kosta Barbarouses, and a second half of pressing couldn’t find a winning goal for either side. On a stinking hot and ferociously humid day in Sydney, a 7pm Sunday evening kick-off was not high on a lot of Sydneysiders’ attentions, and a meagre crowd watched the game with gritted teeth, pretending to be enjoying it. One for the purists and die-hards, this one won’t be remembered beyond the weekend, save for a superb piece of captaincy from club legend Rhyan Grant who picked up his fifth yellow card and subsequent one-game ban in spectacular fashion.
This Sunday fixture came at the end of a big footballing weekend that would ultimately conclude with the Carabao Cup in the early hours of Monday morning at Cheers Bar in the city, and enthusiasm was undeniably waning as the peak of the hot and humid weather underlined the need for an afternoon nap. There was definitely hesitation as the 5pm alarm pierced the still air, but the desire to watch another twist in Sydney FC’s topsy-turvy season had us on the road soon after, racking up handsome tolls on the M2 and arriving just after 6pm in the Entertainment Quarter car park.
Driver Avenue was closed for this one, unlike the Thursday fixture, and the crowd seemed to be very similar; not sure what the stipulation is for closing Driver Avenue, but it does make access to the stadium that much easier, unless of course you are less mobile.
The crowd was thin, but at least the sushi bar was open and we stocked up, choosing the nearby bar that lets us take cans away instead of the Cove bar that insists on pouring the contents of your can into a plastic cup. Bet they don’t do that at the rugby. We had at least some of our block of seats occupied this evening, but still surrounded by rafts of empty ones too. It’s difficult to convey just how oppressive the conditions were – not a breath of wind, and every time the big screen behind was lit up in anything but blue, the temperature would go up five degrees. The humidity had everyone pulling shirts off sticky skin, and there was an efficiency in movement that we hoped wouldn’t translate to the field.
The Cove repeated the tactic from midweek by bunching the active fans centrally to make for a good atmosphere, but the super capo was forced into an impassioned plea, as he did so politely at Macarthur recently, to bring the best out of those around him. Once the parameters were set and everyone understood that, yes, this was 7pm on a Sunday, yes, it was 200% humidity but yes, noise was mandatory, the chants restarted with added vigour. It’s nights like this that separate the Cove from all other active fan bases.
Wellington were on the attack immediately, running towards the Sydney end and away from their little corner of yellow. A quick break saw the ball blazed into row Z when Phoenix found themselves in a good position, Sydney starting slowly, and Harrison Devenish-Meares signalled his intentions for the evening by racing out of his box to clear with a spectacular diving header. Come On You Boys In Blue, shouted the Cove in the call and response with Cove Heights, but the action was happening at the far end, and Joe Lolley played in Adrian Segecic as we were responding to the call, and his finish saw the chant transform seamlessly into the goal celebration and Sydney were off and running.
The SFC chant was early and the drum was smoking, almost on fire, as the tempo reached its maximum. Devenish-Meares raced out and was first to the ball, but only just, and he was nearly chipped again but the execution from the Phoenix player who spotted the chance was woeful. Alex Grant made an excellent back header to clear up the danger, and Alex Rufer was constantly getting his pocket picked in midfield. Despite the difficulty tuning in due to the humidity and lack of moving air almost sending the fans into a stupor, the Cove continued to be as animated as ever.
Suddenly, the scores were level as Barbarouses pounced on a through ball and waltzed around Devenish-Meares, but the flag was up and it definitely looked offside. The VAR check went on as we were shown replays of the goal, and the general acceptance that this was going to stand came over the stadium, and the resulting decision allowed the Phoenix players and fans a second celebration, the score confirmed as 1-1. Game on. This being Pride round, it was particularly disappointing when a fan accused a Wellington player at full volume of “f*cking him up the arse” when Segecic was bundled into from behind. A better turn of phrase may have been advised there.
A half-time walk around the stadium revealed just how empty it was, and I was in my seat just as the second half kicked off, Sydney FC having emerged first and having to wait for their opponents. Eagle-eyed Steve spotted that the assistant referee patrolling our half had an all-yellow flag, contrary to the usual checkered number. That sparked debate as to what the assistant referees usually had. Anyone have any insight? I think it might be normal, you know!
The Cove capo had crept further up the Cove, perching on the railings to really drive home the chants, Lolley gave us another right-foot shot that didn’t trouble the Wellington keeper, and Segacic went close, first his shot pushed wide of the post, then another stinging shot pushed over the bar as Phoenix wilted. Try as they may, there was no way through for Sydney, Jordan Courtney-Perkins seeming to inadvertently clear the ball off the Phoenix line when Douglas Costa whipped in another telling set-piece, and even when the ball was spilled, Sydney couldn’t force the ball past the impressive Wellington shot-stopper. A spicy moment towards the end saw Leo Sena get hacked down and captain Grant race across the field to get involved, appearing to shove the aggressor. We held our breath as he only received a yellow, Alex Rufer getting one too for his part in the incident, and when the final whistle went, Grant was again involved in handbags at ten paces as the players went to shake hands, the temperature boiling over again. Sydney aggro!
This had been a tough watch. Sydney dominated but lacked the lethal touch. Anthony Caceres and Costa again dictated the play, the latter using his array of flicks and tricks to cause all sorts of issues, but there was no end product. The players coped remarkably well with the conditions, and two injuries were mysteriously manufactured at the mid-point of each half to allow the players to take on fluids. Where this leaves us now, with an international break to ponder, is anyone’s guess. Three points adrift of the top six, but unbeaten for nine games since the Australia Day reverse at Melbourne Victory, this strangely exciting season has much more to give if Sydney FC so choose. It’s time to get behind the boys in blue and roar the boys on to the finals. See you in a fortnight back at Allianz. Forza Sydney FC!