The script was read, rehearsed but ultimately fell just short of expectation as a David Villa inspired Melbourne City kickstarted their 2014-15 A-League season with a 1-1 draw against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.
Sydney FC capitalised on a dominant period of pressure in the opening stages of the second half, with livewire forward Corey Gameiro putting the hosts into the lead with a stunner, before that man Villa hit home with a beauty of his own.
The game kicked off in ominous fashion for the away side as the impressive Damien Duff showed the fans what 18 years experience does, as the Irishman ran the flank before cutting back inside to fellow new signing James Brown.
The midfielder – who was the man to make way for Villa in the second half – fired in a first time shot with the inside of the boot, which cannoned off the crossbar, having gotten the better of Vedran Janjetovic.
The signing from Newcastle continued his bright start as he poked a ball over to a desperate lunging Aaron Mooy, who failed to get a touch on his delicate delivery.
The first save of the game however was reserved for Andrew Redmayne, who did well to pounce on Corey Gameiro’s curling strike from the edge of the area.
While City’s shot-stopper made it look easy, Sydney’s made the job look a chore and a half as he misjudged Mooy’s low free-kick to put the ball behind off his trailing forearm.
The usually reliable Sasa Ognenovski was the next to make a blunder in the Sky Blues defensive half as the pacey Mate Dugandzic slipped in behind the experienced defender before inexplicable blazing his effort wide of the post.
Determined to make up for his first effort, Dugandzic – starting in a central role – hit a stinging volley, which forced a stunning save from Janjetovic to keep the game at a deadlock.
Holding the lion’s share of possession in the first half, newly appointed captain Paddy Kisnorbo was a mountain at the back, relaying a number of Sydney FC deliveries.
It always seemed likely that the first half – a fairly tight contest, shaded by City – would end scoreless, but it took one move to unlock the watertight stalemate, the introduction of David Villa.
The Spaniard – whose reputation precedes him – made his A-League bow in the 47th minute in place of James Brown.
His introduction however sparked the home side into action. Boasting 62% of the possession in the opening 10 or so minutes of the half, Sydney capitalised as in-form youngster Gameiro curled in a beauty in the 54th minute.
Receiving a clever diagonal pass from Nicky Carle in his stride, Gameiro struck a sumptuous curler from wide left of the box, with Andrew Redmanye’s palm not strong enough to keep the strike out.
City started worked their way back into the contest with the lofty pressure of expectation firmly on their shoulders.
Their star-studded line-up hit their straps in the 62nd minute as two of their big three – Robi Koren missed the trip up to Sydney – combined as Duff sent a reverse delivery towards Villa who made no mistake with his first chance of the evening, firing a low strike under the outstretched arms of Janjetovic.
WATCH THE MOMENT @Guaje7Villa opened his @ALeague account: http://t.co/DcmLGoLZxn #foxfootball #SYDvMCY pic.twitter.com/kj8jWdKeIQ
— FOX SPORTS Football (@FOXFootballLive) October 11, 2014
Corey Gameiro was proving to be a real thorn in the side for van ‘t Schip’s men as he slammed a first time volley over the bar with 10 minutes to go.
His substitution saw debutant Max Burgess come to the fore and with his first touch nearly put Sydney on the path for all three points.
Following Terry Antonis’ sublimely hit volley – which tested the resolve of the crossbar – the youngster collected and shot wide from the follow-up with the game on the line.
It proved to be the final chance in a decent contest, with City’s full arrival on the scene put on the back burner for another week.
Sydney FC 1 (Gameiro 54’) drew with Melbourne City 1 (Villa 62’) at Allianz Stadium
Crowd: 25,525
Melbourne City: 1. Andrew Redmayne, 2. Rob Wielaert, 5. Erik Paartalu 6. Aaron Mooy, 7. Iain Ramsay, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 11. Damien Duff, 14. James Brown (8. David Villa 48’), 23. Mate Dugandzic (26. Mark Marino 73’), 24. Patrick Kisnorbo (c), 25. Ross Archibald
Unused Substitutes: 20. Tando Velaphi (GK), 18. Paulo Retre, 25. Jacob Melling,
Yellow Card(s): Mooy 72’,
Red Card(s): Nil
Sydney FC: 20. Vedran Janjetovic (GK), 2. Sebastian Ryall, 3. Sasa Ognenovski, 6. Nikola Petkovic, 5. Matthew Jurman (13. Alex Gersbach 69’), 17. Terry Antonis, 8. Milos Dimitrijevic, 19. Nicky Carle, 14. Alex Brosque (c), 7. Corey Gameiro (28. Max Burgess 88′), 29. George Blackwood (18. Peter Triantis 51’)
Yellow Card(s): Nil
Red Card(s): Nil
Unused Substitutes: 1. Ivan Necevski, 4. Pedj Bojic,