Western Sydney Wanderers have completed a dream homecoming to Bankwest Stadium, defeating Central Coast Mariners 2-1 thanks to a Mitchell Duke brace.
The Mariners got the ball rolling away from home as Milan Duric opened the scoring in Parammatta. Tommy Oar's exceptional vision sent Jordan Murray who set up the Bosnian.
Wanderers captain Mitchell Duke levelled the score getting onto the end of Pirmin Schwegler's corner and heading home at Mark Birighitti's near post.
Jordan Murray should have sent the mariners in front in the second half, but Daniel Lopar ensured the Wanderers didn't have to chase the game.
Dylan Fox's handball sent Bankwest Stadium into raptures as referee Alireza Faghani waited over three minutes to pull the decision to the VAR. After awarding the penalty, Duke dispatched it with aplomb, but not without some questions once again for the technology.
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
Daniel Lopar - 6.5
A wicked deflection off Pirmin Schwegler saw the ball loop over Lopar and in for the Mariners. Aerial ability on display collecting a number of dangerous crosses. A spectacular double save from Lopar stopped the Mariners stealing a point in injury time.
Tarek Elrich - N/A
Substituted off after 15 minutes with an injury and replaced by Daniel Wilmering.
Mat Jurman - 6.5
Jurman's debut in red and black will be one to savour. The 29-year old put in plenty of last-ditch tackles to keep the Wanderers spirits alive.
Tass Mourdoukoutas - 6.5
Placed in the heart of defence, Mourdoukoutas made a good account of himself alongside McGowan and Jurman.
Dylan McGowan - 6
His passing needed some work as he went into the sheds at half-time but McGowan was neither here nor there in his A-League debut for Western Sydney.
Daniel Georgievski - 6.5
Georgievski was top of the charts for effort for the Wanderers today, never giving up on a pass or loose ball. A poor challenge on Murray in the first half had him on thin ice for the remainder of the match.
Keanu Baccus - 6
Playing a little further forward tonight, Baccus was on the front foot in the right hand channel for Western Sydney.
Pirmin Schwegler - 7
He can see space where there is none. Schwegler set the tone in the opening minutes with some terrific passing but a wild deflection off his body saw the Mariners take the lead. Assisted Duke from the corner to the Wanderers equaliser.
Nick Sullivan - 6
The 21-year old made his debut for the Wanderers having been apart of their inaugural academy. He showed some great tenacity in midfield but an unwillingness to pull the trigger.
Alex Meier - 6
It'll take some time for Meier to get to full match fitness, but if his link up play was anything to go by Meier will be a fan favourite in no time.
Mitchell Duke - 7.5
The Wanderers captain lost his marker and rose high to head home the Wanderers first goal at Bankwest Stadium. After some VAR hold up, Duke calmly slotted the winning penalty for Western Sydney.
SUBSTITUTES
Daniel Wilmering - 6.5
Wilmering should have opened the scoring the Western Sydney after getting on the end of a terrific Mitchell Duke cross.
Kosta Grozos - 5.5
Not much to say about his 20 minutes on the park except getting a yellow card 30 seconds after being substituted on.
Mohamed Adam - 6
Provided a small spark for the Wanderers when he came on and was involved in the leadup to the Wanderers winning penalty.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
Mark Birighitti - 5
Poor positioning and was beaten at his near post for Duke's equaliser from the corner.
Ziggy Gordon - 5.5
We couldn't see the best of Gordon going forward with the Wilmering doing a good job of parking himself in front of his left flank.
Kye Rowles - 7
Rowles' interception saw Tommy Oar pick up the scraps, leading to the Mariners opening goal. Rowles looks like he has made some big improvements on last season.
Dylan Fox - 6.5
Some were worried about Fox and Rowles' partnership but Fox made a good start to life at the Mariners with a commendable performance. His handball gave away a penalty which saw the Mariners lose it in the end.
Jack Clisby - 6
The Wanderers high wing-backs were a thorn in Clisby's side, especially when Georgievski switched flanks. Completely lost Duke at the corner which saw the Wanderers equalise.
Milan Djuric - 7
Started off shaky with his positioning but a cracking strike just after half an hour gave him confidence for the rest of the match.
Gianni Stensness - 6.5
Plenty to work on for the Kiwi midfielder. At times his positional play was also mixed up with Duric while his passing was average.
Giancarlo Gallifuoco - 6
Gallifuoco didn't have much to say about the slick passing movements of the Wanderers Schwegler and Baccus. It looked like he might have been carrying his injury and was replaced early in the second half.
Daniel De Silva - 7
De Silva needed the first half to get into his stride but his connection with Tommy Oar is looking promising.
Tommy Oar - 7.5
Tommy Oar looks in good nick for the Mariners and his first half performance was telling. Oar's exceptional vision and first time pass sent Murray away to set up the first.
Jordan Murray - 6.5
Murray was given the role of hassling an experienced back three and he managed to do that, isolating Dylan McGowan to assist Duric for the opener. He couldn't finish a clear cut chance when he was one-on-one with Lopar in the second half.
SUBSTITUTES
Samuel Silvera - 6
The highly anticipated debut for Sam Silvera came in the second half. We'll have to see SIlvera start matches to see what he is truly capable of at A-League level.
Michael McGlinchey - N/A
Questions may be asked of Alen Stajcic after livewire Danny De Silva was replaced but McGlinchey tried his best to wrestle the match into the Mariners favour.
Abraham Majok - N/A
Brought on with only a few minutes remaining.
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