Sydney FC have drawn 1-1 with Melbourne Victory in the Liberty A-League after taking the lead with a fantastic Maddie Caspers opener but were pegged back by a Rachel Lowe penalty awarded in controversial circumstances.
Sydney FC 1 (Caspers 8’) drew with Melbourne Victory (Lowe pen 20’).
Moments That Mattered
8’ – CASPERS GOAL – Vine runs through the Victory defence, Morrison’s challenge puts the ball into Caspers’ path, who sends Checker for one and slots a left foot into the corner.
20’ – LOWE PENALTY – A natural coming together between Sydney FC goalkeeper Whyman and Victory’s Weinert is adjudged to be a penalty by ref Izzy Blaess. Ex-Sky Blue Lowe hits it home for 1-1.
64’ – LEMON CHANCE – Vine wins the ball off defender Morrison and slides it to Lemon who tries to lift it past Newbon but Morrison recovers to get a last ditch tackle.
90’+1’ – KRUGER HITS POST – Vine beats her defender and chips one to Kruger who makes a delightful header to the goalwards but it hits the post and comes out.
What They Said: Ante Juric: “It’s a shame to not get the full 3 points, as we put in a dominant performance.
“We had some nice chances, which we did not convert and it is something we will continue to work on. Though in saying this, the relentless attacking is a huge positive for us.
“Unfortunately we conceded a goal to a dubious penalty, outside of this, our defence held extremely firm against some good attackers.
“Overall we are pleased with our game and we will take more positives away from this game than negatives.
“We are looking forward to our next game against Perth, which will be a great clash.”
Match Report: Sydney FC drew 1-1 with Melbourne Victory despite dominating the women’s Big Blue and falling victim to a controversial penalty.
The Sky Blues took the lead after eight minutes when Vine drove into Melbourne’s defence forcing Victory captain Kayla Morrison to push the ball into the path of Maddie Caspers, who slotted home following a delightful drop of the shoulder on Checker.
Victory were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute after their cross was directed to Sky Blues goalkeeper Whyman, but her efforts to claim the ball were overshadowed by American Weinert who bundled her over.
The referee saw it as a Melbourne penalty which Lowe dispatched.
Sydney FC stayed defensively strong throughout and had the better of the chances, even hitting the post in the final minutes but had to settle for a draw.
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN (GK), 3. Charlotte MCLEAN, 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 11. Cortnee VINE, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 20. Princess IBINI-SEI ©, 21. Shay HOLLMAN, 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS (14. Abbey LEMON 55’), 26. Madeleine CASPERS (19. Zara KRUGER 81’).
Unused Subs: 30. Tahlia FRANCO (GK), 17. Jynaya DOS SANTOS, 18. Taylor RAY.
Yellow Cards: Tumeth 34’, Hawkesby 72′.
Red Cards: None
Melbourne Victory FC: 50. Courtney NEWBON, 2. Jamilla RANKIN, 3. Tori HANSEN, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 8. Alana MURPHY (9. Emily GIELNIK 46’), 10. Alexandra CHIDIAC, 11. McKenzie WEINERT, 15. Emma CHECKER, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 21. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT (16. Paige ZOIS 81’) 23. Rachel LOWE.
Unused Subs: 66. Geo CANDY [GK], 13. Kurea OKINO, 27. Rosie CURTIS.
Yellow Cards: Lowe 80’, Chidiac 90’+4’.
Red Cards: None
Venue: AAMI Park
Referee: Izzy Blaess
