Sydney FC was too good for Canberra, even with 10 players for most of the match.
Goals to Sarah Walsh, Leena Khamis and Heather Garriock booked Sydney FC a spot in the Westfield W-League decider with the Sky Blues running out easy three nil winners against Canberra.
Despite being one player down for the majority of the match, it was Sydney FC with all the running at Shark Park this afternoon.
The match was turned on its head after a red card to defender Alesha Clifford just 16 minutes in.
Despite this it was Sydney who had all the possession and territory.
This dominance was eventually converted on the stroke of half time as Sarah Walsh scored from close range.
The goal was set up by a pin point cross from Kyah Simon to the edge of the box. From there Walsh did the rest scrambling past two defenders and goalkeeper Lydia Williams to give Sydney the advantage going into half time.
Despite being well held in the first stanza, the irrepressible Khamis would not go home empty handed.
A free kick to Julie Rydahl the wrong side of half way was brilliant, setting up Khamis who headed in from five metres out to double Sydney-s advantage.
Coach Alen Stajcic described the win as one of the most pleasing.
“We had good discipline, good composure and good finishing. It was one of the best performances I-ve ever seen,” Stajcic said.
“The way we finished the game it looked like we had the extra player, the midfielders worked their butts off.”
A late goal to captain Heather Garriock was a fitting reward for her efforts in the midfield.
The thundering strike which came from outside the area capped off a superb performance from Garriock, though it was the loyal Cove supporters who she reserved her praise for.
“We had a little bit of the Cove there today so if we can get a little bit more, quite a lot more, it-d be brilliant … They definitely were the extra player out there for us today,” Garriock said.
Sydney return to Shark Park next week for the final next Saturday, kick off is 3pm.
The Sky Blues play the winner of the tomorrow-s semi-final between Central Coast and Brisbane.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 3 9. Sarah WALSH 45-, 19. Leena KHAMIS 61-, 7. Heather GARRIOCK 84-
Canberra United 0
Sydney FC Line-up: 1. Nikola DEITER (gk), 4. Alesha Clifford, 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 7. Heather GARRIOCK (c), 8. Julie RYDAHL, 9. Sarah WALSH (12. Michelle CARNEY 87-), 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Cathrine PAASKE, 15. Kyah SIMON, 16. Linda O-Neill (2. Teigan ALLEN 38-), 19. Leena KHAMIS (13. Catherine CANNULLI 85-)
Substitutes Not Used: 18. Brittany WHITFIELD, 20. CARLA Monforte (gk)
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: 4. Alesha Clifford 13-
Goals: 9. Sarah WALSH 45-, 19. Leena KHAMIS 61-, 7. Heather GARRIOCK 84-
Canberra United Line-up: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk)(c), 2. Rebecca KTING, 3. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Kahlia HOGG (6. Eleanor RAYMOND 86-), 7. Ellie BRUSH (c), 8. Emily VAN EGMOND, 10. Shu O TSENG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Nicole SYKES, 16. Elyse PERRY, 19. Jennifer BISSET (11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI 61-)
Substitutes Not Used: 9. Grace GILL, 13. Thea SLATYER, 20. Jocelyn MARA (gk).
Yellow Cards: 11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI 61-, 3. Bronwyn STUDMAN 77-, 8. Emily VAN EGMOND 60-
Red cards: Nil
Goals: Nil
Referee: Casey REIBELT (at Toyota Stadium).
