James Troisi hero and villain in A-League Sydney derby draw

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:10 am

James Troisi played the roles of villain and hero as his Western Sydney Wanderers side fought back to force a 1-1 draw with local rivals Sydney FC at Stadium Australia.

In a free-flowing game which produced a cornucopia of chances, Sydney were the better side in the first half and the Wanderers finished the stronger.

Troisi was involved in both goals which came within the space of 10 minutes just after the hour.

- A-League on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)

- Maclaren gives Melbourne City late win over Western United

Referee Alex King deemed Troisi blocked Sydney's Milos Ninkovic with Kosta Barbarouses converting the spot kick.

Wanderers levelled when Troisi tapped home from close range, after Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne fumbled under pressure from Tate Russell.

The result extended the Wanderers' unbeaten A-League run against Sydney to five matches, their longest streak in the history of the fixture.

The Sky Blues hit the woodwork through Trent Buhagiar on the half hour and played some delightful one-touch football in the first half, with Ninkovic and Anthony Caceres prominent.

Wanderers' goalkeeper Daniel Margush denied Sydney strikers Barbarouses and Buhagiar with fine close-range saves inside the first four minutes.

James Troisi celebrates after scoring the equaliser.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

While Sydney made most of the play in the first half, the Wanderers also created a number of opportunities.

Tass Mourdoukoutas had a close-range attempt from a corner cleared off the line by Paulo Retre, and Redmayne saved shots from Russell and Keanu Baccus.

Buhagiar was foiled again by Markush early in the second half, and the Wanderers' Nicolai Muller lobbed over the bar when clean through.

After the exchange of goals, it was the visitors who created more chances.

The Wanderers got plenty of energy and drive from young wing-backs Russell and Thomas Aquilina.

Aquilina twice went close and Troisi had a shot blocked while young substitute Patrick Wood almost scored for Sydney at the death.