An under-strength Sydney FC has been defeated by a strong reigning Champions Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium.
Sydney FC 0 def. by Melbourne City 5 (Vine 13′, Hayashi 17′, Jackson 24′, McLean OG 30′, Ayres pen 53′)
The Sky Blues had 16 of their squad either on international duty or out through injury but made a fight of the match and will travel to Brisbane Roar next Saturday to rebound.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
13′ | MELBOURNE OPENER – A well curved ball across the Sydney FC goal from Aideen Keane is dummied by Ayres and finds Vine who gets in front of her defender to slot home.
17′ | MELBOURNE GOAL – A pass across goal on the 18 yard box from Keane is laid off by Prakash to Hayashi who hits a swerving, low drive into the right corner outside of the reach of Robertson to put Melbourne City ahead by two.
24′ | MELBOURNE FINDS A THIRD – Ayres cuts the ball back to Deven Jackson, who strikes the ball with her right foot and curves it around the wingspan of Robertson despite a perfectly timed dive the right way from the Sydney keeper.
30′ | MCLEAN OWN GOAL – A cross from Cortnee Vine forces the Sky Blue defenders and keeper to make a quick decision leading to a miscommunication and a Mclean own goal when attempting to head the ball clear.
37′ | FAITH WEBBER ATTACK – A solo run from Faith Webber looks threatening as the Sky-Blue powers forward with pace and precision before cutting inside and striking the ball on target but saved by the hands of Mieres.
50’ | ROBERTSON SAVE – A shot from outside the box from Ayres threatens a fifth, but Robertson stretches across the goal to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner, which is again saved.
53’ | MELBOURNE CITY PENALTY – A mistimed tackle from Misfud gives a penalty to the opposition and Sydney FC concede a well-hit penalty from Ayres despite a dive in the right direction from Robertson.
Match Report
Sydney FC’s young and under-strength side have gone down to a strong Melbourne City 5-0 at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues had a near identical squad as their 2-all draw against Adelaide United in Round 1, the only difference being Angelina Scamardella, who awaits on the bench in place of Josie Wilson, who misses out due to her shoulder injury obtained in last week’s match.
The match also sees Amy Chessari step into the starting 11 for her first start wearing Sky Blue.
The opening saw big chances kept to a minimum as both teams worked hard to maintain possession of the ball and figure out the oppositions game.
The 13th minute put Melbourne City ahead after runs forward from Vine and Ayres are synchronised with a ball played across the face of goal from Keane which is dummied by Ayres and lands with Vine who slots it away to upset the home fans.
The goals continued as a ball which falls to the edge of the 18-yard box was hit low and hard by Hayashi into the bottom right corner of the goal past the hands of Robertson.
A third goal comes soon after for Melbourne City as Jackson awaits on the 18-yard box and receives the ball from Ayres after she makes an inward run towards the Sydney FC goal.
The ball is well struck and despite a near world-class save, the ball soars mere inches outside the wingspan of Robertson to put the away side ahead by 3-0.
The bad luck continues as a dangerous cross into the box from Cortnee Vine forces Mclean to make a tough call under pressure, and the ball ends up in the back of the net from the head of the Sydney FC captain after an attempt to send the ball out of trouble.
However, Sydney FC didn’t show signs of giving up as Faith Webber leads a solo attack in the 37th minute and drives up the field with pace and precision before cutting the ball inward for a shot on goal which is claimed by the hands of Mieres, sending the Sky Blues into the changerooms at halftime looking to change something up.
After a mistimed tackle from Megan Mifsud in the 53rd minute, a penalty was given and struck well by Ayres despite a near perfect save from Robertson, putting the away team up five and seeing the scoreline out the same way it was as the girls prepare for their next match away at Brisbane Roar.
WHAT THEY SAID: Charlotte McLean
“We didn’t come out with any heart in the first so at halftime we talked about getting our foot in the game, being aggressive and having some pride and I’m really proud because I think we I do think we went out there in the second half and played with pride.
“I was really impressed with our younger girls who showed so much heart and experience, I think they’re phenomenal players and we have so much building to do. Theres a lot of positive coming our way.
“It’s something we needed to experience today. City don’t muck around and we came out too cold and we got punished early. It was a learning experience and something to work on.”
Head Coach James Slaveski
“There was a bit of a response in the second half which I asked for, the seconds half was better but it shouldn’t have come down to that.
“There’s a lot of new players coming into their first season, their first or second league game so there’s a long way to go but pleasing in terms of the second half.”
LINEUPS SYDNEY FC | 2. Faith WEBBER, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN (Captain) (25. Lauren NADA (88‘)), 11. Kiley DULANEY, 13. Riley COHN, 14. Olivia PRICE (38. Megan MIFSUD (46’))., 19. Amy CHESSARI, 26. Madeleine CASPERS, 27. Poppy CHANNING, 28 Kenzie ROLING, 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON (GK), 39. Asha SUTTON.
Unused Substitutions | 31. Chelsea MCCREDIE (GK), 32. Angelina SCAMARDELLA, 35. Poppy TAY.
Yellow Cards | 13. Riley COHN (58’).
Red Cards | N/A
Manager | James SLAVESKI
LINEUPS MELBOURNE CITY | 4. Jessika NASH, 8. Momo HAYASHI (27. Izabella RAKO(83’)), 9. Cortnee VINE (26. Chelsea BIGGS (83’)), 10. Avaani PRAKASH, 11. Devin JACKSON, 13. Rebekah STOTT (Captain) (20. Kelli MCGROARTY (62’)), 14. Melina AYRES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN (5. Aimee MEDWIN (62’)), 21. Aideen KEANE (15. Tully HEATLEY (62’)), 22. Taylor RAY, 24. Malena MIERES (GK).
Unused Substitutions | 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 29. Layla HABIB.
Yellow Cards | N/A
Red Cards | N/A
Manager | Michael MATRICCIANI
Referee | Sophie ALLUM
Venue | Allianz Stadium
