Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory have shared the points in an entertaining draw at the Home of the Matildas on Sunday afternoon.
Kennedy White had the best chances of the day but was thwarted by Heather Hinz in goal who stood out with 7 saves and numerous key contributions throughout the afternoon.
Melbourne Victory 0 drew w. Sydney FC 0
Moments That Mattered
16′ | CASSAR DENIED TOP CORNER STUNNER – Amelia Cassar tries her luck from range and Courtney Newbon has to claw it out from the top corner.
20′ | WHITE OFF THE POST – The American forward sees her first effort blocked but then fires a second goal-ward which cannons off the upright.
58′ | HINZ ONE ON ONE STOP – Sydney’s number one spreads and denies Kennedy White with her trademark Hinz spread.
82′ | LOWE BLOCKED BY AYSON – Maddy Ayson scrambles across to put off Rachel Lowe and her effort deflects out for a corner.
87′ | HINZ THWARTS KENNEDY AGAIN – Heather Hinz plunges down to her right to deny White’s flick on header and maintain the clean sheet.
Match Report
Sydney FC met Melbourne Victory in the latest instalment of the Big Blue at The Home of the Matildas on the Australia Day Weekend.
Despite plenty of chances for either side, neither side could find the breakthrough and history was made as they recorded their first ever goal less draw.
The visitors started the better in the warm conditions and almost had the opening goal in the first four minutes when a Hana Lowry corner was met by Victory’s captain Kayla Morrison and she almost diverted the ball into her own net accidentally, however the post saved her blushes.
Skye Halmarick started up top for Ante Juric once more and she was busy getting onto the ball and nearly found the corner on the turn but was denied by Courtney Newbon in the Victory net.
Courtney Newbon made that save to deny Skye Halmarick and then went one better a few minutes later when Milly Cassar curled one from the edge of the box but saw her chance pushed over the top with the ball heading towards the top corner.
Sydney FC were solid in defence and 15-year-old Willa Pearson was brilliant as ever blocking out American Kennedy White on more than one occasion, however one she did block fell back to the Victory forward and the American saw her strike smash off the upright and the Sky Blues survived.
As the half wore on, Sydney FC still pushed on for that opening goal and saw efforts from Sarah Hunter & Milly Cassar go over the top from range.
In the second half, Victory almost started perfectly when Sofia Sakalis found space behind the Sydney FC defence but her effort flashed wide of the post.
Jodi Ulkekul was introduced on the hour mark for the visitors and she almost found the net with a nice effort but Courtney Newbon was behind it and held onto the strike.
Heather Hinz was involved in the match but was yet to make a big stop, that was until she denied Kennedy White with a stunning one on one stop. The American spread herself brilliantly and pulled off her typical Hinz Spread save and Victory were left wondering how they hadn’t scored.
Hinz proceeded to make a number of key stops, one from a Kayla Morrison header, one from an Alana Jancevski dipping volley and another from Kennedy White as she racked up the save contributions on the stat sheet.
As if the one stunning stop wasn’t enough, Heather Hinz pulled out another top drawer save as she once again denied Kennedy White from a header as the Victory forward ran near post and attempted the flick on but the Sydney FC number one plunged down to her right and tipped the ball around the post.
As Victory threatened late on, they would not get past Hinz and the game finished as it started at 0-0.
Sydney FC will now head to Perth on Wednesday night before returning home to face the Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
What They Said – Heather Hinz
“I am feeling good after that but if I am being honest, I need to work on my feet but I am really happy that I could show up for my team when I needed to.
“Most goalkeepers would say that they hate breakaways because you have absolutely no control but I love it. When I see them break my defender I’m so excited for it and that’s the goalkeeper mentality.
“Australia is an amazing country and I love living here and the girls have been nothing but welcoming and I am happy to do what I love for my job.
“[This week]we just have to put our heads down and control the controllables. We’ve got some big games coming up and looking at the table we’re not where we want to be… We just need to go out there and show that we are Sydney FC and we deserve to be higher.”
Melbourne Victory: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 6. Taylor RAY, 8. Sienna SAVESKA (81. Grace MAHER 81′), 9. Holly FURPHY (7. Ella O’GRADY 73′, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 23. Rachel LOWE, 27. Rosie CURTIS (28. Sienna TECHERA 81′), 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Unused Subs: 30. Payton WOODWARD (GK), 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 41. Jessica YOUNG.
Yellow Cards: Saveska 79′.
Red Cards: None
Sydney FC: 1. Heather HINZ (GK), 2. Madison AYSON, 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 7. Amelia CASSAR (17. Claire CORBETT 69′), 8. Hana LOWRY, 13. Riley TANNER, 14. Abbey LEMON (24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER. 79′), 16. Willa PEARSON, 19. Skye HALMARICK (9. Jodi ULKEKUL 56′), 21. Sarah HUNTER (C).
Unused Subs: 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON (GK), 18. Amber LUCHTMEIJER, 23. Rubi SULLIVAN.
Yellow Cards: Pearson 68′.
Red Cards: None
Referee: Jock Quartermain
Venue: Home of the Matildas
Attendance: 1056
