Anthony Caceres rescues Sydney FC with late equaliser in A-League Men derby
Anthony Caceres scored a last-minute goal to secure a 3-3 draw for Sydney FC against Western Sydney Wanderers in a dramatic A-League Men derby.
Sydney FC star Anthony Caceres scored in extra time to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw in the A-League Men derby against Western Sydney Wanderers.
With the Wanderers seeming poised for their first derby victory since 2023, the Sky Blues mounted a comeback at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
After trailing by two goals due to a brace from Zach Sapsford, substitutes Douglas Costa and Adrian Segecic reignited the home team's hopes. Costa brilliantly assisted Segecic's 88th-minute goal, bringing Sydney within one goal of their rivals.
In the eighth minute of additional time, Caceres scored following a rapid succession of corners, denying the Wanderers a vital three points.
This result is a heartbreaking setback for Alen Stajcic and his side, who have now gone five derby matches without a win.
The Sky Blues can end the round as high as third place with 25 points, while the Wanderers remain in eighth with 22 points.
Caceres played a significant role early on by assisting Patryk Klimala, who opened the scoring for Sydney in the seventh minute. Klimala celebrated in front of the opposing fans, though the lead was short-lived.
Sapsford quickly equalised for the Wanderers less than two minutes later, capitalising on a spill from goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.
Western Sydney took the lead in the 39th minute, with Sapsford involved again. He combined with teammate Nicolas Milanovic, who sprinted down the right wing and scored. The goal stood after a review for offside, later deemed a Sydney own goal due to a deflection off Rhyan Grant.
Sapsford netted his second in the 49th minute after a foul allowed Brandon Borrello to set him up in the penalty box. He almost completed a hat-trick in the 56th minute, but Sydney's Caceres was there to clear the ball after another error from Devenish-Meares.
