60 minutes had passed when I was sitting in the SFS watching the Round 1 Grand Final replay between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. Sydney were up 2-0 and I thought to myself that things couldn't get any better. The Sky Blues were playing quite well with crisp short passes between players and what seemed like a better understanding of where players would run. The display told me that Sydney were a real chance of doing a back-to-back double. Then came the seven minutes of hell...
Broxham, Dugandzic and Celeski all bagged goals for our bitter rivals and we were suddenly losing the game 2-3. Euphoria turned to despair and for the first time in the game, I would've been happy with just one point when we were a shoe in for all three before the 60th. Then in the 85th minute, Kevin Muscat had brought down Mark Bridge just outside of the box, giving Sydney a lifeline of a free kick. Up steps Shannon Cole, who last season was nowhere to be seen in the free kick duties. He struck the ball with venom and it flew past both the wall and Petkovic. Sydney had secured one point, but I left the stadium with a bitter taste in my mouth.
After the Melbourne game, Sydney lost both away games in Queensland against Fury and Brisbane. Both games had shown a lethargic Sydney with no cohesion. Players were always losing the second ball to their more eager opponents. I felt lost and defeated, feelings I haven't felt so often since the days of Kosmina. I realised that I was now supporting a team that wasn't the leagues best, not even top 6 material.
Turning up to the SFS when the Mariners came to town, I had felt more apprehensive about getting a draw, even more so, for a win. Graham Arnold had developed a team that was hard to beat which combined the Mariners signature combative style of play with a new found love of passing. My fears were furthered with the news that their new Argentine playmaker would debut at the game.
I won't go much into that game, but poor refereeing cost both teams the game, but the doesn't excuse Sydney's lack of hunger throughout the game. A week later against Coolen's Adelaide would see Sydney get destroyed at by the speed and precision of Adelaide's frontline. What compounds matters worse is that it was displayed in front of one the smallest crowds in the Sky Blue's history. Sydney's performance was disjointed and lacked spirit. I felt hollow.
This is what it feels like to support a losing team. This is what it feels like to be a football fan. All around the world where leagues are dominated by 2, 3 or even 4 clubs, there are the supporters of the smaller clubs who don't even bother with dreaming about winning the league, but dream about staying in the league.
With my feelings for Sydney, we are coming last with only 2 points from 5 games. The next team above us on the ladder is also on 2 points, but they've only played 3 games. Talks and thoughts of Sydney doing back-to-back doubles is now a pipedream.
All I'm wishing for is a result against Wellington - a Wellington that haven't lost at the Cake Tin since 2008. Sydney FC haven't won in regular time since their controversial victory against the Nix at the SFS on March 13, 2010.
All I know is that when I first started to support Sydney FC, I chanted along to Sydney Till I Die. It's time to come good with that chant.
