Sydney FC 2 (Tanner 7’, Luchtmeijer 84’) def. by Western Sydney Wanderers FC 3 (Chessari 45’+2, Ng-Saad 60’, Cong 70’)
Sydney FC have gone down to Western Sydney Wanderers Women in a five goal thriller at Allianz Stadium.
The Sky Blues went ahead but were pegged back to 3-1 before scoring late and setting up an electric final few minutes but they couldn’t secure the draw.
Moments That Mattered:
7’ | TANNER GOAL – Ulkekul’s ball finds an open Tanner to smash one home from inside the box to give Sydney FC the lead early in the derby.
45’+2 | CHESSARI GOAL – A long-range strike from Chessari finds the back of the net to equalise on the brink of halftime.
55’ | GOAL-LINE CLEARANCE – A save from Robertson spills to the feet of Harada, where it is met by Tori Tumeth, who narrowly clear it off the line, showing incredible composure on the line.
60’ | NG-SAAD GOAL – Ng-Saad fires in a scrappy goal in a crowd to give the opposition the lead mid-way through the second half.
70’ | CONG GOAL – A header off a corner adds to the opposition’s lead.
84’ | LUCHTMEIJER GOAL – A brilliant shot between two opposition defenders is fired into the back of the net to provide some late hope.
Match Report: Sydney FC have been beaten for the first time in 13 games against Western Sydney Wanderers who scored against the Sky Blues for the first time in seven years.
Juric’s squad emerged from the tunnel looking to break the streak of recent draws.
As the whistle blew to kick off the game, Sydney FC started on the front foot, culminating in a brilliant run from Tanner, which led to a fierce effort finding the back of the net.
As the first half was winding down, a clearance after a cross found the path of Chessari outside the box, who scored to equalise at halftime to record the first Wanderers goal since 2019.
As the half-time whistle blew to draw it to a close, Sydney FC reflected on a positive showing with standout performances from goalscorer Riley Tannar and some incredible saves from Tiahna Robertson.
The second half saw a period of dominance from the opposition, including a shot cleared off the line by the Sydney FC defence and a goal in traffic from Ng-Saad.
As the second half wore on, the opposition added another goal off a corner from Cong to extend the lead.
Late hope in the derby as Luchtmeijer fired one home under pressure from just inside the box, her first goal at home.
The Sky Blues rushed back to the centre circle to build on the momentum but couldn’t find the equaliser.
Sydney FC | 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON, 4. Tori TUMETH, 2. Madison AYSON, 16. Willa PEARSON, 5. Kirsty FENTON (23. Rubi SULLIVAN (67’), 8. Hana LOWRY, 14. Abbey LEMON (18. Amber LUCHTMEIJER (63’), 21. Sarah HUNTER (c) (17. Claire CORBETT 53’), 7. Amelia CASSAR (15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY (46’), 13. Riley TANNER, 9. Jodi ULKEKUL
Unused Subs | 31. Sofia FANTE, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 19. Skye HALMARICK
Head Coach | Ante JURIC
Yellow Cards | 13. Riley TANNER (68’)
Red Cards | N/A
Western Sydney Wanderers FC | 20. Sham KHAMIS, 11. Danika MATOS, 7. Amy HARRISON (c), 3. Wang YING, 14. Ella BUCHANAN, 37. Ena HARADA, 4. Poppie HOOKS, 6. Amy CHESSARI, 19. Talia YOUNIS (24. Nikkita FAZZARI (90’+6), 25. Holly CASPERS (17. Allyssa NG-SAAD 44’), 10. Yuan CONG (15. Cushla RUE 76’)
Unused Subs | 12. Brianna EDWARDS, 5. Milly BENNETT, 22. Alana CERNE
Head Coach | Geoff ABRAHAMS
Yellow Cards | N/A
Red Cards | N/A
Venue | Allianz Stadium
Referee | Isabella MOSSIN
