The Sydney FC Women’s team will get back into action after more than two weeks without a game as they aim to maintain their clutches on the top of the table.
After a 2-0 loss to current league leaders Western United in their last outing, Ante Juric’s side will be aiming to get back to winning ways against a Melbourne Victory team who are undefeated in their last seven matches.
For the Sky Blues, they were flying high, on a run of six consecutive wins before falling to the Green and Black in Melbourne and after two postponements of home fixtures, their fourth away game in a row comes with one of the most anticipated fixtures on the calendar. The Big Blue.
A grand final re-match on Australia Day at AAMI Park. A tantalising clash between two of the best teams in recent Liberty A-League Women’s seasons, this always brings with it plenty of action and excitement.
In their previous meeting, Sydney FC were too strong for the Victory, running out 2-0 victors at Cromer Park with Madi Haley’s brilliant solo run opening the scoring before a Princess Ibini cross was accidentally turned goalward by Melbourne’s Kayla Morrison for an own goal and the Northern Beaches crowd were sent home happy.
As both teams converge on Melbourne on the 26th of January, it will be a welcome period of rest for the Sky Blues with their squad pushed to the limit. Kirsty Fenton was sidelined, Jada Whyman had a broken finger, Taylor Ray remained absent long term and a number of the squad were seen with strapping against Western.
This extended break has come at the perfect time, allowing these girls to recover and the squad to continue to train at the same intensity which saw them score 17 goals in the previous six matches.
For Victory, they have recently been inspired by their Matilda Alex Chidiac who has found the net three times in the last five matches. She got them on the way for their comeback victory over Adelaide United on Saturday and has been influential in the eyes of the DubZone panel.
For Jeff Hopkin’s side, they haven’t quite hit the heights of last season but have made a late surge up the table after a poor start which saw them lose their opening two before scraping past Wellington Phoenix. His side often lift for these big games and knows that they will be up to the challenge on Thursday afternoon.
Across their previous meetings, Sydney FC hold the ascendancy with the Sky Blues losing only one of their 12 matches in Victoria against the Victory and overall, have won 14. Victory have recorded six wins against the Sky Blues, with the remaining fixtures drawn.
This Thursday provides the perfect catalyst for this high-octane weekend of Liberty A-League football.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC
Liberty A-League Round 14
Thursday 26th January 2023
AAMI Park, Melbourne, VIC
Kick Off: 4:05pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
