Sydney FC’s Liberty A-League forward Princess Ibini is set to make a little bit of history in Saturday’s Sydney Derby by surpassing Leena Khamis as the club’s all time second highest A-League Women’s appearance maker.
Still only 22 years old Ibini will move onto 97 appearances for the club, if selected, overtaking Khamis and sitting three games away from becoming the second Women’s player to reach three figures in Sky Blue.
The forward made her debut as a 15-year old in 2015 and has played in every Grand Final (6 out of 7) bar one since. She has scored 19 goals in her Sky Blues career including the match winning penalty to secure the 2021 Premiership.
Only Teresa Polias on 145 appearances is ahead of Ibini but she certainly has time on her side.
Not far behind Ibini is Sydney FC Captain Natalie Tobin who returns this weekend following a one match suspension, after a highly controversial red card in the away Sydney Derby at Marconi Stadium three weeks ago.
Tobin will regain the armband from Ibini who deputized and is likely to return at the heart of defence in the place of Deborah de la Harpe, despite the latter performing extremely well in the 4-0 win over Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium two weeks ago.
It will be three weeks since Tobin last played following her suspension against the Roar and last weekend’s bye for the Sky Blues.
The last meeting between the two sides, which saw Tobin sent off, resulted in a 1-0 win for Sydney FC despite the numerical disadvantage thanks to a stunning strike from Sky Blues forward Remy Siemsen.
The 23-year old will once again battle it out to lead the line with US striker Madison Haley who netted two impressive goals last time out against Brisbane.
Siemsen was also on target in that game taking her season tally to two goals, once behind Haley.
After four games Sydney FC have conceded just one goal – the lowest in the Liberty A-League – and sit 4th on the ladder just three points from top spot.
In 17 matches between the two teams Sydney FC have won 13 with two draws and two Wanderers wins.
