Emotions were running high during the clash between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC at Commbank Stadium, leading Marko Rudan and Steve Corica to get into a short spat after full-time.
Sydney got sweet revenge against the Wanderers, defeating Western Sydney 1-0 in a similar fashion to that seen in the first Sydney Derby at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues charged into the first half like a bull out of the gate with Max Burgess securing the winning goal in just the 16th minute.
It was all downhill for Western Sydney from there, with captain Marcelo coming off the field due to an old groin injury flaring up in the 21st minute.
It went from bad to worse when Yeni N’Gbakoto was shown the red card for striking Paulo Retre across the head, forcing the Wanderers to play the remaining 30 minutes with one less striker in their arsenal.
Though the final blow came in the 72nd minute when Tom Beadling scored what would have been an equaliser if it were not for Tomi Mrcela being found offside.
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A 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 debut goal for Tom Beadling is chalked off after VAR review.
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The series of controversial moments in the match seemed to push Rudan over the edge and ended with him exchanging some not-so-friendly words with Corica after the match.
“[Towards the end of the game], they started going down, play-acting and wasting time,” said Rudan.
“I just reminded him of something he said to me a few years ago when I was at Wellington [Phoenix],” he said, referring to the 3-1 game between Wellington and Sydney in 2019 in which Corica accused Rudan’s side of purposely slowing play to protect their lead.
Marko Rudan made sure to not hold back any punches in his assessment of Sydney’s performance, believing that they didn’t play up to their reputation as an attacking and expansive team.
“I didn’t see that tonight. I saw one team that got a goal … but after that, it was one-way traffic,” he said.
Steve Corica had a very different assessment of the match, feeling that both teams played well.
“I can’t remember them having a real, clear-cut chance. I think we probably had the better chances of the game,” said Corica.
“But I do think that they played well tonight.”
Corica was blunt in his response to Rudan’s post-match comments about his side.
“[Marko is] just being a bit of a sore loser tonight.”
The game marks a third straight victory for Sydney FC and have promoted the team to fifth on the ladder, just one point behind the Wanderers and one point outside the top four.
Despite the Sky Blues being hot on their heels, Marko Rudan remains unfazed.
“We’re going one way as far as I’m concerned,” he remarked.
“I’m not bothered about Sydney FC or anyone else for that matter.”
The next games for the rivals will be crucial to their position on the ladder. With the league being as tight as it is, both sides have an opportunity to move up the rankings every game.
The Red and Black Bloc will have to see whether the Wanderers can reclaim second place on the ladder when they travel to South Australia next week to play against Adelaide United. While the Cove will have to hope that the Sky Blues can finally break into the top four after their match with Brisbane Roar in Sydney.
Featured Image Credit: Ngau Kai Yan
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