Del Piero’s winner gives Sydney first win

SYDNEY: Italian superstar Alessandro Del Piero scored the winner as Sydney FC won their first match of the Australian A-League season in a 1-0 derby win over Western Sydney on Saturday.
Before a 19,000 full house at Parramatta Stadium, the Italian World Cup winner scored after retaking a penalty in the 54th minute, to end Sydney’s losing start to the new season.
Del Piero, 37, was ordered to retake a successful first spot kick and had his second saved by keeper Ante Covic, only to knock in the rebound for his second A-League goal.
The penalty was given after Del Piero showed superb footwork in the box before being taken down by midfielder Aaron Mooy.
Sydney coach Ian Crook said Del Piero was fitting in with his new Australian surroundings with every match.
“It’s getting to know people and playing with them and knowing what they need, where they’re going to be,” he said.
“We haven’t had a lot of time as a team to do that. But it’s gradually picked up.” Western Sydney’s Japanese star Shinji Ono looked lively but was well marked by the Sydney defense.
Former England international Emile Heskey had a hand in both goals as Newcastle defeated Central Coast Mariners 2-1 at home earlier Saturday.
Heskey earned the Jets a fourth-minute penalty when he was felled by Michael McGlinchey in the box for Ryan Griffiths to send Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan the wrong way from the spot.
Heskey found the back of the net for the second straight game on 61 minutes after James Virgili beat two defenders to give the ex-Liverpool front man a tap-in from close range.