A STRONG crowd has enjoyed the highest level soccer match ever played in Ballarat, with more than 2800 people at Morshead Park on Tuesday night.
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The FFA Cup tie between Melbourne City and Sydney FC proved an introduction to the world game for some, although the allegiance was clear even for those new to the sport.
Melbourne City was the favourite, both in the stands and with the bookies, but two very late goals to Sydney soured the home crowd.
City’s supporters group won the chanting battle, with their advantage in numbers over Sydney supporters.
But the common opponent was the cold, with Weatherzone reporting that it felt like 1 degree at the ground.
Red Devils Football Club chairman Duncan Smith, who was influential in the construction of the stadium, said the match was “fantastic”.
“This has been four or five years in the making, and although the ground is still a work in progress, this is an incredible game for it,” he said.