Stalemate as Sky Blues, Wanderers kick off ALM season

Bitter A-League Men rivals Sydney FC and Western Sydney have settled for a lacklustre 0-0 draw in a dull season-opening derby.

In a match pitting last year's grand finalists against the wooden spooners on Friday night, neither side at Allianz Stadium could live up to the hype of a blockbuster Sydney derby.

Sky Blues recruits James Overy and Oriola Sunday provided some of the few highlights on Friday night.

Nigerian striker Sunday lit up the 30,103-strong crowd with a daring run down the corridor in the 66th minute, bamboozling stand-in Wanderers captain German Ferreyra and Anthony Pantazopoulos in quick succession - only to fall short of reaching the box.

Former Manchester United youngster Overy then came off the bench in the 79th minute and almost nailed the perfect ALM debut, his shot at goal in added time saved by Wanderers keeper Lawrence Thomas.

Treble-winning former Central Coast youngster Miguel Di Pizio went closest for the visitors, but his close-range effort in the 60th minute was easily denied by goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.

The Wanderers at least avoided kicking off their season with a third straight derby defeat. They have won just one of the last nine meetings with their Sky Blue neighbours.

Much of the build-up to Friday's derby had centred on former Sydney FC coach Ufuk Talay's switch of allegiance, but the new Wanderers boss was unable to orchestrate a smash-and-grab mission at his old home.

The return of 2024/25's Johnny Warren medallist Nicolas Milanovic, alongside the recruitment of Di Pizio, had added to the anticipation, though neither was able to swing the tie Wanderers' way.

Already without injured skipper Brandon Borrello, Wester Sydney were dealt another blow within the opening 10 minutes when Awan Lual suffered a left hamstring injury.

The 19-year-old striker had got the better of Sydney defender Jordan Courtney-Perkins en route to goal before his left leg appeared to give out.

Fellow teen striker Atiya Waraga came off the bench as Lual's cover, and went close with an 84th-minute shot that flew narrowly wide of the far post.

First, Wanderers defender Panashe Madanha miscued an overhead ball in the ninth minute, giving Ben Garuccio a free run on goal. Luckily for the visitors, Garuccio took the wrong option and gave the ball away.

Another overhead ball opened the door for Al Hassan Toure in the box, but the dogged Pantazopoulos's pace allowed him to haul back the Sydney winger in the 16th minute.