Sydney FC has left it late to secure a crucial three points against Pert Glory and keep their Ninja A-League 2024-25 Finals hopes alive.
After a slow start to the season, Juric’s Sydney FC have never given up hope and a solo effort from winger Princess Ibini in injury time pushed them to within two points of the top six with one game to play.
Sydney FC 1 (Ibini 90’+1) def. 0 Perth Glory FC
Moments that Mattered:
73’ | DOS SANTOS CHANCE – A chance as the ball finds the feet of Millie Farrow just outside of the six-yard box. She produces a flick up and a pass to Indiana Dos Santos who unleashes a shot to the bottom left corner that goes just centimetres wide.
85’ | BLACK SAVE – In the dying embers Perth Glory find themselves 2v1 with the keeper Jasmine Black who heroically dives in front of the low-driven shot to keep the scores level.
90’+1’ | IBINI GOAL – A beautifully weighted cross from Indiana Dos Santos finds Princess Ibini just inside the goal. She unleashes her effort past Templeman in the net to put Sydney FC ahead late.
Match Report:
Sydney FC have put themselves in the mix for Finals football thanks to a late Princess Ibini stunner which secured a 1-0 win over Perth Glory at Allianz Stadium and put the Sky Blues within two points of the top six with a game to play.
Sydney FC dominated the early stages of the game registering a total of eight shots and were always a threat.
There were concerning scenes in the 35th minute as Caley Tallon-Henniker went down with an injury to her right ankle. Despite her distress she heroically walked off with the physio and was substituted.
The second half continued the trend of the first with keen defences from both sides shutting down any chance that comes begging.
But an Sydney FC had an incredible chance to take the lead in the 73rd minute as Millie Farrow makes a pass in the box to Indiana Dos Santos but she places it narrowly wide leaving the scores at 0-0.
Perth found themselves in with a chance with five minutes remaining as they got into a 2v1 with goalkeeper Jasmine Black. However the young stopper dived in front of the shot to keep Sydney FC’s finals hopes alive.
Then it was Sydney FC’s time to turn up their attack and it paid off late as a beautifully weighted cross from Indiana Dos Santos is placed right to the feet of Princess Ibini.
She steps around her defender and rifles in her effort past Templeman in trademark fashion and puts the Sky Blues ahead.
What They Said: Ante Juric: “We were the most dominant team but in saying that I don’t think we were at our best. We showed the desire and the will to win the three points.
“It’s (Finals football) not near impossible but other teams have to falter. Like I said we do our job and whatever happens, happens.
“We understand we let fans down earlier in the season but we take that on the chin and we haven’t given up and hopefully they can see that.
“I’m happy with them (The squad) because they showed something bigger than football, they showed resilience and fought where other teams may have collapsed.”
Sydney FC | 4-3-3 | Home: 13. Jasmine BLACK, 3. Faye BRYSON, 12. Natalie TOBIN (c), 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY (86’ 23. Rubi SULLIVAN), 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 21. Lucy JOHNSON (46’ 20. Princess IBINI), 22. Indiana DOS SANTOS, 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER (36’ (inj) 9. Shea CONNORS), 26. Madeline CASPERS (61’ 7. Millie FARROW)
Unused Subs: 28. Bethany MASON-JONES
Manager: Ante JURIC
Yellow Cards: Ibini 65’
Red Cards: None
Perth Glory FC | 4-3-3 | Home: 21. Miranda TEMPLEMAN, 5. Grace JOHNSTON, 6. Tijan MCKENNA, 7. Megan WYNNE, 8. Georgia CASSIDY (2. Mischa ANDERSON 89’), 10. Rasamee PHONSONGKHAM, 13. Naomi THOMAS-CHINNAMA, 19. Sarah O’DONOGHUE (25. Ella LINCOLN 89’), 23. Isobel DALTON (c), 27. Charli WAINWRIGHT (46’ 20. Ella ABDUL MASSIH), 29. Onyinyechi ZOGG
Unused Subs: 22. Ischia BROOKING, 30. Jessica SKINNER
Manager: Stephen PETERS
Yellow Cards: Phonsongkhan 76’
Red Cards: None
Referee: Sarah Jones
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Attendance: 2,481
