Melbourne City began 2026 with a dominant display but were left to settle for a share of the points after being held scoreless by Sydney FC at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
Despite controlling large periods of the contest – particularly after the break – City was unable to find a way past a resolute Sydney defence and an inspired performance from goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares.
Aurelio Vidmar’s men finished the night with a commanding edge in both possession and chances, registering 23 shots to seven and holding 60 per cent of the ball, but the decisive moment would ultimately prove elusive.
Team News
With a new year came fresh personnel, as Vidmar made three unforced changes to his most recent starting XI. Samuel Souprayen returned to the backline, while Emin Durakovic and Medin Memeti were recalled to the attack.
Andrew Nabbout led the line, flanked by Durakovic and Memeti on the wings, with Kavian Rahmani shifting into a midfield role alongside Kai Trewin and Andreas Kuen.
There was also a welcome sight among the substitutes, with James Nieuwenhuizen named on the bench for the first time since suffering an ACL injury last March. Elbasan Rashani was again absent from the matchday squad as the Kosovan international continues to manage soreness.
Starting XI: 1. Patrick BEACH (GK), 13. Nathaniel ATKINSON, 22. Germán FERREYRA, 26. Samuel SOUPRAYEN, 16. Aziz BEHICH (C), 27. Kai TREWIN, 30. Andreas KUEN, 47. Kavian RAHMANI, 35. Medin MEMETI, 39. Emin DURAKOVIC, 15. Andrew NABBOUT,
Substitutes: 40. James NIEUWENHUIZEN (GK), 4. Liam BONETIG, 10. Takeshi KANAMORI, 17. Max CAPUTO, 19. Zane SCHREIBER, 38. Beckham BAKER, 44. Besian KUTLESHI.
What happened?
City settled into the contest quickly and threatened early, with Memeti forcing Devenish-Meares into a sharp diving save inside the opening five minutes. Durakovic followed suit soon after, testing the Sydney keeper from the edge of the area following a spell of pressure at the other end.
The opening half-hour was played at a measured tempo, with both sides enjoying moments on the ball, but City steadily began to assert control.
A flowing move down the left late in the half saw Durakovic deliver a dangerous cross for Memeti, whose first-time effort looked destined for the net before being struck straight at the keeper. Memeti then went even closer on the stroke of halftime, unleashing a fierce strike that again required an excellent save to deny City a deserved opener.
That momentum carried into the second half, with City emerging with clear intent. Nabbout forced an early save just moments after the restart, before Trewin and Nathaniel Atkinson both had efforts comfortably handled as wave after wave of pressure built. At one point early in the half, City led the shot count 18–4, underlining our dominance.
Rahmani added his name to the list of players denied in the 57th minute, before Aziz Behich went agonisingly close five minutes later. After clever footwork inside the area, the skipper – making his 150th Club appearance – looked set to finally break the deadlock, only for Devenish-Meares to throw his head in the way to keep the scoreline level.
The chances continued to come. Nabbout almost produced a moment of magic in the 68th minute with an audacious bicycle kick that flashed narrowly wide, while Memeti struck the woodwork with a back-post header after meeting a teasing Behich cross shortly after.
Vidmar threw on fresh legs in search of a breakthrough, introducing Max Caputo, Takeshi Kanamori, Beckham Baker and Besian Kutleshi as City continued to push. Andreas Kuen came within inches in the 81st minute, firing just over the top corner after Souprayen intercepted in midfield.
City’s late push was hampered by injury troubles, with Kanamori forced from the field with a groin issue, while Rahmani battled through the closing stages after taking a heavy knock to the knee. Despite finishing with severely limited movement in the final minutes, City pressed until the final whistle, but the goal our performance deserved never arrived.
What’s next?
City’s extended home stretch continues with a quick turnaround, returning to AAMI Park on Tuesday night to host Brisbane Roar. With another opportunity to turn dominance into three points, Vidmar’s men will be eager to build on the performance and get our 2026 campaign up and running. Click here to get your tickets!