Sydney FC and Melbourne City have played out a 1-1 draw in a Grand Final re-match in the A-League Women’s Unite Round at Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah.
Both goals came in a frenetic opening ten minutes with Mackenzie Hawkesby’s opener cancelled out by Lourdes Bosch’s equaliser.
Sydney FC 1 (Hawkesby 6’) drew w. Melbourne City 1 (Bosch 11’).
Moments That Mattered
4’ | CASPERS CHANCE – Hawkesby pull back to Caspers who shoots but a City defender deflects the goal bound shot into the arms of the keeper.
6’ | HAWKESBY GOAL – Mackenzie plays a one two with Dos Santos and hammers a shot from 20 yards into the far corner to give the Sky Blues the lead.
11’ | BOSCH GOAL – Edwards attempts to punch a long-range strike from Bosch over the bar however she doesn’t get enough behind it and the ball drops over the goal-line.
Match Report: Sydney FC’s Grand Final re-match with Melbourne City has ended all-square at 1-1 in the Unite Round’s final match at Jubilee Stadium.
The Sky Blues started on fire with a Caspers goal bound shot deflected into her own goalkeeper’s hands by Taylor Otto in the 4th minute.
Two minutes later Sydney FC were in front with some neat interplay and a one-two between Dos Santos and Hawkesby finishing with the latter driving a rasping shot into the far corner to put them in front.
The lead didn’t last long when a lofted shot from City winger Bosch was punched into the air by Edwards in the Sky Blues goal, but she wasn’t able to prevent it crossing her goal line, on 11 minutes.
Sydney FC dominated the first half following the goal, however they weren’t able to press home the advantage.
City came back into the match in the second half but neither team could make it count in the final third.
A suspected knee injury to Sky Blues’ Matildas squad player Hana Lowry, late in the second half dampened spirits, and she is now a doubt for next week’s internationals as both City and Sydney go into the break with a draw.
What They Said: Ante Juric:- “It was playing the Premiers so it was always going to be tough but we played exceptionally well and on another day should have won.
“If we didn’t play well I’d be disappointed but the result for me doesn’t matter, it’s 1-1 and we deserved to win but didn’t and our performance and effort was different level.”
Sydney FC: 1. Brianna EDWARDS (GK), 3. Faye BRYSON, 4. Tori TUMETH, 8. Hana LOWRY (6. Shay HOLLMAN 73’), 9. Shea CONNORS (18. Amber LUCHTMEIJER 73), 12. Nat TOBIN (C), 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 20. Princess IBINI, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS (24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER
83’), 26. Maddie CASPERS.
Unused Subs: 30. Tahlia FRANCO (GK), 14. Abbey LEMON.
Yellow Cards: Tumeth 74’.
Red Cards: None.
Melbourne City FC: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 5. Taylor OTTO, 7. Kathryn HARVEY (22. Bryleeh HENRY 45’), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 14. Laura HUGHES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 19. Lourdes BOSCH (27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC 66’).
Subs: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 6. Leticia McKENNA, 12. Shellby McMAHON.
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Attendance: 3,149
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson
