Sydney FC has continued its climb up the Westfield W-League ladder, holding reigning champions and current league leaders Brisbane Roar to a 1-1 draw on a rain soaked pitch at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
Sydney FC has continued its climb up the Westfield W-League ladder, holding reigning champions and current league leaders Brisbane Roar to a 1-1 draw on a rain soaked pitch at the Sydney Football Stadium on Sunday.
Cathrine Paaske had given the hosts the lead ten minutes before the break but a Kyah Simon own goal early in the second half meant the points were shared between the two sides that last met in the W-League semi-final last season.
Paaske-s strike – her second of the campaign – was also the first goal that the Roar conceded this season.
“I-m always happy to score goals, but I think it was the team who did very well today,” said a modest Paaske.
The Roar created the opening chance of the match, catching Sydney napping in the fifth minute. A chip over the rushing defence had Sky Blues Keeper Nikola Dieter cleaning the scraps; however her scuffed clearance fell to the feet of Roar striker Lana Harch who failed to react quickly enough pulling her shot wide.
The difficult conditions weren-t affecting Sydney and they started moving the ball wide through their right midfield. The positive tactics almost paid dividends with Sarah Walsh finding space inside the box to give the Sky Blues their first chance in the 17th minute. Walsh-s cut back to Paaske however was watched to safety by Roar keeper Casey Dumont as the shot sailed safely over the crossbar.
As the first half drew to a close and against the run of play Sydney pressed forward with Paaske collecting the ball on the edge of the area before barging her way through Polkinghorne to poke the game-s opening goal.
It didn-t take long for the Roar to draw level with the second half barely a minute old. An innocuous cross from the right was met by the head of Simon who gave her own goalkeeper no chance.
“I think it was bad luck, that happens in football, some say it-s the charming thing about football but not for us today,” said a circumspect Paaske on the unfortunate own goal.
The Westfield W-League leaders should have made it 2-1 minutes later with Courtney Beutel finding herself with just the keeper to beat but shot wide.
The Roar were creating the better chances in the second half and looked certain to score with a 67th goal bound shot being cleared of the line by defender Heather Garriock.
Garriock-s efforts in defence seemed to rally the Sky Blue troops as they started to lift from their second half slumber, battling hard with Roar in a tough tussle being staged in midfield.
Sydney lifted for one last push and almost pinched victory when an 87th minute cross found Cathrine Paaske inside the box. Brisbane defender Kate McShea lunged for one final match saving challenge to stop a goal.
Despite dropping the two points at home, it was a result which was well received by Sydney coach Alen Stajcic.
“Queensland-s (Brisbane) the fittest, fastest and strongest team in the competition. So to match them and compete with them and probably dominate them at the end, I-m really pleased with that.”
Sydney-s women will be at home at the SFS again next Sunday against face Adelaide United.
Match Detail
Sydney FC 1 (PAASKE 34-)
Brisbane Roar 1 (SIMON 46-OG)
Sydney FC Line-up:. Nikola DEITER (gk), 2. Teigan ALLEN (16. Linda O-NEILL 75-), 3. Danielle BROGAN, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 6. Servet UZUNLAR, 7. Heather GARRIOCK (c), 8. Julie RYDAHL (12. Michelle CARNEY 82-) 9. Sarah WALSH (19. Leena KHAMIS 62-), 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Cathrine PAASKE, 15. Kyah SIMON.
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Carla MONFORTE (gk).
Yellow Cards: 3. Danielle BROGAN 60-.
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: 11. Cathrine PAASKE 34-.
Brisbane Roar Line-up:: 1. Casey DUMONT (gk) 2. Kate MCSHEA, 3. Karla REUTER (19. Ellen BEAUMONT 46-) 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c) 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Joanne BURGESS, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 10.Lana HARCH, 11. Aivy LUIK, 16. Lauren COLTHORPE, 18. Courtney BEUTEL (9. Jenna TRISTRAM 66-).
Substitutes Not Used: 20. Kate STEWART (gk), 14. Sasha MCDONNELL.
Yellow Cards: 2. Kate MCSHEA 82-.
Red Cards: Nil.
Goals: 15. Kyah SIMON 46-OG.
Referee: Rebecca Durcau.
