Sydney FC have qualified for a record 8th Westfield W-League Grand Final and a fourth in a row thanks to three wonder goals from Mackenzie Hawkesby, Clare Wheeler and Ally Green.
Sydney FC 3 (Hawkesby 15’, Wheeler 65’, Green 73’) def. Canberra United 0
Sydney FC have qualified for a record 8th Westfield W-League Grand Final and a fourth in a row thanks to three wonder goals from Mackenzie Hawkesby, Clare Wheeler and Ally Green.
Moments That Mattered:
- FANTASTIC HAWKESBY GOAL – 15’ – Siemsen feeds Wheeler out wide left and the midfielder hits a perfect cross into the path of Hawkesby who produces an outstanding right foot volley to guide the ball home.
- TOBIN CHANCE – 35’ – Siemsen does well to put Tobin through in the left channel of the box but her shot is saved low by the keeper Richards.
- GREAT SAVE WHYMAN – 38’ – Wheeler plays the ball back towards goal but it’s mis-placed and Flannery latches onto it but Whyman makes a great save to deny her and the ball is out for a corner.
- EXQUISITE WHEELER GOAL – 65’ – McLean’s cross finds Wheeler on the edge of the box and her exquisite first time volley finds the back of the net.
- UPSTOPPABLE GREEN GOAL – 73’ – The full back cuts out a Canberra pass and drives 20 yards into the opposition half before unleashing an unstoppable left foot striker into the top corner from 30 yards.
Sydney FC will play in their eighth Westfield W-League Grand Final after defeating Canberra United 3-0 thanks to three excellent goals in tonight’s semi-final at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Mackenzie Hawkesby’s fantastic first half volley gave the home side the lead at the break as she calmly finished Clare Wheeler’s cross.
It was Wheeler’s turn to find the net after the break with an equally good volley. The midfielder hit McLean’s cross first time from the edge of the box with the aid of a deflection.
Green made it three with an unbelievable 30-yard strike with just under 20 minutes remaining to wrap up the win.
For the Sky Blues it’s a record equaling fourth consecutive showpiece and they will face Melbourne Victory at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium next Sunday at 4pm.
What they said:
Ante Juric: “I wasn’t happy at half time so I told them we were defending superbly but all the work rate was in defence so if they wanted to keep the ball they had to work in attack.
“At the end of the day it’s a spot in the Grand Final so we were close but we weren’t there, but the girl’s spirit is immense and I knew they’d come back and do a job.
“They know there’s a big job to do and they are very focused, and they might be young but they can step up when it counts.”
Clare Wheeler: “I think it was a really good and positive team performance to not only get multiple goals but also to come away with the win as well.
“By all means getting a goal was the icing on the cake for me personally, but im really happy we’re into the Grand Final next week.”
Sydney FC: 1. Jada WHYMAN (GK), 2. Teresa POLIAS ©, 3. Charlotte McLEAN, 5. Ally GREEN, 6. Clare WHEELER (18. Taylor RAY 82’), 8. Rachel LOWE (19. Charlize RULE 70’), 10. Remy SIEMSEN (9. Allira TOBY 70’), 12. Natalie TOBIN, 13. Natasha PRIOR, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 20.Princess IBINI (17. Angelique HRISTODOULOU 84’).
Subs: 40. Eliza CAMPBELL (GK).
Yellow Cards: Tobin 90’ + 6’.
Red Cards: None.
Canberra United: 1.Keeley RICHARDS (gk), 2.Emma ILIJOSKI, 4. Kendall FLETCHER (c), 5.Lauren KEIR, 6.Bianca GALIC, 8.Laura HUGHES (7. Rachael GOLDSTEIN 89’), 9.Demi KOULIZAKIS (12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG 68’), 10.Grace MAHER, 13.Paige SATCHELL (20.Sasha GROVE 77’), 15.Jessika NASH (14.Jessie RASSCHAERT 89’), 19.Nicki FLANNERY.
Subs: 29. Chantel JONES (gk).
Yellow Cards: Koulizakis 51’.
Red Cards: None
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
Referee: Isabella Blaess.
