David Villa Seals Melbourne City’s First Points

The first round clash between Sydney FC and Melbourne City marked the 10^th season of the Hyundai A-League and the first season of newly formed team, whom last year was known as Melbourne Heart.  For both teams expectations were high due to recent signings such as Austrian International Mark Janko, Bernie Ibini, the return of Alex Brosque, Aaron Mooy and All-time Spanish top goal scorer David Villa, who will play a 10 game stint for Melbourne City before he takes off to America to start a new path in his life with New York City FC.

There is nothing better than the start of a new soccer season, especially for a supporter. Due to International Duty Sydney FC were without both forwards Bernie Ibini and Mark Janko who were off representing the Socceroos and Austria respectively. Corey Gameiro got the nod from Graham Arnold and proved that it was a decision worth making. The game started off slow with both teams holding possession waiting till one player from either team will make the mistake and move out of position, however as much as both teams wanted to see their team score their first goal of the season they would much rather see an appearance from the Spaniard David Villa.

A very average first-half resulted in a stalemate. Managers on both teams must have said something inspirational as both teams were quick to resurrect the tempo of the game in the second half. Supporters from both ends of the Allianz were on their feet signing chants and really getting into the spirit of the game, and then it happened… the moment everyone was waiting for. David Villa was substituted in the 50^th minute, the atmosphere was rising, and the last time there was roar this loud was when Alessandro Del Piero scored his first A-league goal against the Newcastle Jets. Once Villa came on, the game came to life.

Sydney FC kept piling on the pressure, stringing passes together and maintaining possession. All the hard work had finally paid off when Corey Gameiro puts the blues in front on the 54^th minute with a beautiful shot into the top corner of Andrew Redmayne’s goal. However, the lead didn’t last long. If you were given a script saying that David Villa would score the equaliser you would say “You’ve got to be kidding me!” David Villa struck the equaliser in the 63^rd minute. Both teams were unable to find the back of the net for the rest of the game. A draw was well deserved for both teams as the game itself was too close to call.

Next Week is the Sydney Derby, a game that every football fan in Sydney will be watching. Let’s hope that it lives up to its expectations and give the fans something to cheer about, and hope that we (Sydney FC supporters) can obtain bragging rights until the next Derby.