To see Sydney train ahead of their Rangers clash tonight...

 

Sydney FC fans had modest numbers at the first game of the SFS double header on Sunday, as the Sky Blues took on AEK Athens. A sea of Rangers fans for their game against EPL side Blackburn swamped Sydney's Cove for the second tie.

The attendance for the first round of the festival was only 14,153, under expectations for a competition which includes the A-League champions, SPL champions, an EPL side with two Socceroos and the All White captain , plus 11 time Greek Super League winners.

"I was surprised to see more Rangers fans than Sydney fans at the game," said Andy McKnight of the Oceania Rangers Supporters Association. "I live in Brisbane and I'd heard that Sydney fans are a bit fickle and only likely to buy their tickets at the last minute."

McKnight said there has even been sets of Rangers fans who have flown in from Scotland for the game, arriving at 6am on Sunday for the kick-off later the same day, while Gers fans from New Zealand and Perth are also set to fly in for the following fixtures.

"The A-League clubs need all the support they can get," said McKnight. "Hopefully we'll see some more supporters come out for the next couple of games on Wednesday and Saturday nights.

"I'd like to extend the hand of friendship to Sydney as they were a bit funny with us at first on Sunday, they didn't give us a good welcome. However, once our game got started they decided to piss off anyway. Overall, I thought 14,000 fans was a poor turnout."

The Festival of Football continues tonight as AEK Athens take on Blackburn, while Sydney battle Rangers.

To see Sydney train ahead of their Rangers clash tonight...