Sydney FC Women’s Head Coach Ante Juric has hailed Sydney FC’s last gasp 2-1 win over the Newcastle Jets as a season’s best performance.
The Sky Blues clinched all three points in the final minutes at Leichhardt Oval as Juric noted it was a deserved win.
“That was easily the best we have played all year, and it could’ve been five or six in the first half [and] five and six in the second [half].
“We played better with possession and defensively weren’t too bad as well, so am really happy with that.”
The two teams were hard to separate on the score board and needed an added time winner from Zara Kruger who popped up with the winning goal by lobbing the ball over Newcastle Jets goalkeeper Isobel Nino to make it 2-1.
“It feels good especially today, we spoke about who we are and what we need to do and not to have regrets.
“I think we have been playing at 80 – 85 percent and then not performing, and then losing or drawing but today we gave everything and sometimes you get results as we did,” he said.
“So, to get it in the 95th minute it’s good for me as a coach because I can go and chat a little bit more that this is definitely good work.”
Sydney FC’s Members came out in droves to support the team and generated an electric atmosphere under scorching conditions which the Head Coach believes played a part in getting his team over the line.
“It’s expectational and I loved it, the changes [in Australian Women’s football] that have happened in the last six years I have been here, it’s a big difference and it’s huge,” he said.
“You feel it’s like a player, coach and club in a big league, it’s expectational because they [the Members] dragged us through especially with the noise and the excitement.”
The Sky Blues continued their strong defensive record during this Liberty A-League season where they haven’t conceded more than two goals in a game while facing fewer shots on target.
“What I was most pleased with yes the points are good but the performance [and] we deserved it,” he said.
Juric also described his decision-making when it came to the team selection.
“I thought we were struggling up top as a nine but needed someone probably more experienced to hold the ball up and Princess Ibini came to mind because I just remembered her [playing there] with the national team when I was coaching juniors.
“Then Indy [Dos Santos] hasn’t played in a while and I thought we have to play ball a little bit in the front third and needed more technical players, that’s why we made those changes.
“Maddie [Caspers] just came in because Taylor Ray is suspended. The games she played before, she was in our top three, so she was always going to come in.”
Sydney FC moved into second on the ladder and head to Melbourne this Friday to take on Melbourne Victory in a Big Blue at AAMI Park (kick off 5pm).
