Sydney FC has ended 2022 on a high with a convincing win against Brisbane to put them level on points with Melbourne City at the conclusion of the year.
It was four different scorers for the Sky Blues as they ran out 4-1 winners in the heat in Queensland.
Brisbane Roar 1 (Norrie 69’) def. by Sydney FC 4 (Ibini 13’, Hunter 23’, Tobin 37’, Haley 52’)
Moments that mattered:
IBINI OPENS THE SCORING – 13’ – A brilliant solo goal from the winger gets the scoring started in Queensland.
HUNTER GETS HER SECOND AGAINST BRISBANE – 23’ – Sarah Hunter arrives late into the box and is found by Princess Ibini and her effort has too much on it and puts the Sky Blues two goals to the good.
NAT TOBIN PICKS UP THE SCRAPS – 37’ – Nat Tobin is on hand to poke home after Sarah Hunter’s free-kick is tipped onto the post.
MADISON HALEY SCORES AGAIN – 52’ – Madison Haley is fed through by Mackenzie Hawkesby and she pokes the ball through the legs of Shuttleworth to give the Sky Blues a four goal lead.
BRISBANE GET A CONSOLATION GOAL – 69’ – An excellent solo goal from Ayesha Norrie gives Brisbane something to cheer about.
Match Report:
Sydney FC were in their change of white for this clash up in Queensland and were looking to get off to the perfect start after the last meeting between these two sides ended 4-0 to the Sky Blues.
After some back and forth early on, Sydney FC made count the first attempt of the match when Princess Ibini found space on the wing and beat her defender, driving into the box and firing a low effort underneath the Brisbane Roar keeper and notching her first goal of the season.
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It wasn’t long before it was two with Princess Ibini involved once again. Cortnee Vine won the ball on the wing and played it through to Ibini who drifted to the right hand side, paused on the ball and sent in a low cross to an on-rushing Sarah Hunter who struck the ball toward goal and with such venom, it was too much for Isabella Shuttleworth to handle in the net and the team in white found themselves two goals to the good.
With the momentum firmly in their favour and Brisbane looking weak at the back Ante Juric’s team took full advantage. Mackenzie Hawkesby was her usual brilliant best and was upended on the perimeter of the box. It appeared that the contact came inside the box, however referee Georgia Ghirardello indicated that it happened outside the 18-yard-box and Sydney FC were awarded a free-kick to the frustration of the Sky Blues.
Sarah Hunter stepped up with the free-kick and curled it delightfully over the wall, forcing a save from Shuttleworth who could only palm it onto the crossbar, with Nat Tobin in and around the six yard box to tidy up and poke the ball home for her side’s third goal of the first half.
With the heat sapping both sets of players, the second half started with intensity following the 15 minute break and it didn’t take long for Sydney FC to get their fourth of the afternoon. Madison Haley was found by Mackenzie Hawkesby who nicked in in-front of her marker and played the ball through to the American striker and she out-muscled her defender, and poked the ball through the legs of Shuttleworth to make it four-nil.
As the rest of the match played out, the heat took the better of both players, with Sydney FC sitting back and it proved to their downfall with Brisbane Roar getting on the scoresheet through Ayesha Norrie who dribbled through majority of the Sydney team, firing a low ball into the bottom corner which Katie Offer could not keep out.
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With both teams aware of the end result, the final moments were played out through the midfield with Katie Offer tested from range from a Katrina Gorry strike and substitute Abbey Lemon seeing her effort saved from Isabella Shuttleworth.
In the end, a perfect way to close out a dominant 2022 from Ante Juric’s side, sitting 2nd at the conclusion of the year.
Brisbane Roar: 1. Isabella SHUTTLEWORTH (GK), 5. Jamilla RANKIN, 7. Ayesha NORRIE, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10. Katrina GORRY (78. Margot ROBINNE 89’), 11. Sharn FREIER (16. Zara KRUGER 67’), 12. Shea CONNORS, 13. Tamar LEVIN (17. Talitha KRAMER 46’), 18. Teagan THOMPSON, 19. Hollie PALMER, 23. Kajsa LIND.
Unused Subs: 6. Holly MCQUEEN, 21. Mia BAILEY (GK)
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Sydney FC: 30. Katie OFFER (GK), 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 5. Kirsty FENTON (16. Deborah-Anne de la Harpe 58’), 6. Sarah HUNTER (8. Rachel LOWE 75’), 9. Madison HALEY (14. Abbey LEMON 86’), 11. Cortnee Vine (2. Mary STANCIC-FLOODY 86’), 12. Nat TOBIN, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 19. Charlie RULE, 20. Princess IBINI, 21. Shay HOLLMAN.
Yellow Cards: Nat Tobin 65’, Princess Ibini 73’, Charlotte Mclean 90’
Red Cards: None
Venue: AJ Kelly Park
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello
