This edition of Sydney FC v Western United at Leichhardt Oval may only be the sixth time these teams have played each other. But every match between the two has created history in some way.
This Saturday’s match will contribute to the short but bitter rivalry between two of the Liberty A-League’s best sides in recent years.
On Saturday, Western United will aim to extend their first-place position, whilst the Sky Blues will want to go within two points of the Premiership summit with a game in hand.
We look back at the past five fixtures between these two teams, as both sides have taken part in intense drama-filled games which have created one of the modern A-League rivalries.
2022/2023 A-League Women’s Grand Final: Western United 0 – Sydney FC 4
Western United hosted Sydney FC in the 2022/2023 Grand Final in front of the highest A-League Women’s Grand Final crowd ever.
This game had a lot on the line. Sydney FC wanted to win their fourth Championship and equal Melbourne City’s record of winning the most A-League Women’s Championships.
On the other side, Western United, led by the Philippines national team starter Jaclyn Sawicki and top goal scorer Hannah Keane, aimed to win their first title in their first season.
Sydney FC looked the better of the two sides at the start, dominating the game, which saw Madison Haley and Nat Tobin score headers and go 2-0 up in 18 minutes.
Western surged towards the end of the half, but Jada Whyman denied them three times.
In the 61st minute, Princess Ibini sealed the Championship when she successfully dispatched her spot kick.
With Western unable to gain momentum, Madison Haley capped off her Player of the Match performance when she scored her second in the game’s dying stages to end the Sky Blues’ streak of three previous Grand Final losses.
2024 Unite Round: Western United 0 – Sydney FC 1
Western United hosted the Sky Blues in Sydney FC territory in Unite Round, where one point separated both teams.
United was determined to seek Grand Final redemption, and looked to get on the board early but they were unsuccessful, hitting the woodwork twice.
Keiwa Heida also nearly found the back of the net, but her attempt met the outstretched left boot of Jada Whyman.
Ante Juric’s side came out in the second half rejuvenated, wrestling possession back into their favour. It paid off when Cortnee Vine tapped the ball beyond United’s goalkeeper to send the Sky Blues 1-0 up.
Sydney FC kept the ball in their stride until the final whistle, with Abbey Lemon creating the most promising chances.
The result meant that Sydney FC recorded back-to-back victories against United for the first time, ending Western’s three-game winning streak.
2022/2023 A-League Women’s Finals: Sydney FC 0 – Western United 1
After edging Western United by one point to take the Premiership, Sydney FC hosted Western United at Allianz Stadium, where the winner would gain automatic qualification to the Grand Final.
Sydney FC started the game fiercely, but a goal from Western United, which Hannah Keane finished, saw the visitors take the lead.
United only made two more shots on target all game as Sydney FC, to their frustration, were unable to score despite 26 goal attempts and over 100 passes in Western’s half.
When the full-time whistle blew, Western United qualified for their first Grand Final in their first season, a fairytale moment.
The first match in Sydney: Sydney FC 3 – Western United 0
It’s been just over a year since Western United flew north to face the Sky Blues in Sydney for the first time.
This match was significant to the season’s outcome. Western United, as debutants, wanted to come closer to catching Sky Blues, who were hanging on to the first-place spot.
With only three more matches until United would finish their season, this game was big if they wanted to become the first team in either Men’s or Women’s competition to win the A-League title in their first year – inaugural seasons apart.
The match started openly, with both teams having decent chances on goal.
But it was not until the 51st minute when Cortnee Vine laid the ball off to Rachel Lowe, who fired it into the top corner, that the scoring was opened.
The Sky Blues’ intensity continued to rise after the goal, and Rachel Lowe earned her double from another Cortnee Vine assist.
As full-time beckoned, Western United’s hopes of earning their first Premiership dwindled. They were put to bed when Princess Ibini found the ball in the six-yard box and powered it into the centre of the goal.
First match in Melbourne: Western United 2 – Sydney FC 0
The first match between these sides was Princess Ibini’s 100th A-League Women’s appearance.
This match also marked the last time Western won a home match against the Sky Blues and the first and only time these two teams played in Melbourne.
Western looked strong at the beginning of the match, forcing the Sydney FC goalkeeper, Katie Offer, into action.
A double for Hannah Keane within 20 minutes saw United go up 2-0.
Sydney FC could not claw their way back into the game despite a Sarah Hunter attempt, which almost slipped through the fingers of Western’s keeper, Hillary Beall.
Both teams could not find the back of the net again despite many attempts and an injury-time Sky Blue possession surge.
This match marked the beginning of a rivalry that would soon become one of the premiere fixtures of the A-League Women’s calendar.
Match Details: Pride Celebration
Sydney FC v Western United
Liberty A-League Round 19
Saturday 9th March, 2024
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, NSW
Kick off: 7:00pm AEDT
Gates Open: 6:00pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
