Sydney FC has defeated Ninja A-League high flyers Brisbane Roar 3-2 at Leichhardt Oval in a very entertaining encounter which saw both sides take the lead a various points.
The Sky Blues took the lead through a Mackenzie Hawkesby thunderbolt in a dominant first half for the home side before Brisbane restored parity and then took the lead early in the second.
Natalie Tobin levelled soon after with a goal of the season contender before Shea Connors was instrumental in the build up and finish for the winner to give Sydney FC a third win of the season.
Moments That Mattered:
13’ | HAWKESBY GOAL – Hollman receives the ball just outside the halfway line and gives to
Hawkesby who is able to make a beautiful half turn enabling her to create the space for a
shot, and has no issues finding the back of the net.
16’ | IBINI CHANCE – Hawkesby’s one-two with Dos Santos opens up a shooting opportunity just outside the 18-yard box, with Sekany clattering the ball away but Ibini was unable to put the finishing touch to the rebound.
19’ | SEKANY INJURY – Brisbane keeper Sekany comes out but misjudges a cross and falls awkwardly on her knee causing play to stop. She’s carried from the field and replaced.
39’ | IBINI CHANCE – A mistimed kick by McQueen allows Ibini to break through the defensive line but she fires directly at Richards and is unfortunate not to find the net.
45+3’ | HAWKESBY CHANCE – Caspers plays a looping ball around de la Harpe, direct to
Hawkesby who controls it comfortably, yet is unable to find conviction behind the shot, allowing McQueen to clear it off the line just in time.
47’ | IBINI CHANCE – Caspers lays a ball off perfectly for a well-timed shot from Ibini just outside the 18-yard box, dipping up and above the Brisbane defenders, directly at the top-right corner, but it’s saved by Richards at full stretch.
48’ | FREIER GOAL – A wayward Sydney FC pass out of defence falls to Freier who receives the ball, wasting no time in getting the shot off, firing Brisbane level.
56’ | CASPERS CHANCE – Freekick by Dos Santos in a dangerous area, whipping the ball in straight to Caspers who gets good contact on the ball with her head, yet is unable to direct the ball, putting it just wide for a goal kick.
58’ | DOS SANTOS DIRECT FREEKICK – Dos Santos takes a free-kick right in front of goal, hits it at straight into the path of Richards for a comfortable save.
61’ | HECHER GOAL – Pringle crosses and it’s flicked on target by Kuilamu; Mason-Jones makes the save yet Hecher able to pounce and Brisbane lead.
67’ | TOBIN STUNNING GOAL – Hawkesby touches the ball at the perfect time, Tobin runs onto
the moving ball, striking with pin-point accuracy, straight pass Richards from 25 yards – what a strike and the contest is level.
68’ | CONNORS CHANCE – Connors’ solo run, she picks the ball up just above Brisbane’s half way line and makes a darting run through the Brisbane defence, but is unable to get a solid connection on the ball, allowing Richards to tip it wide.
72’ | CONNORS GOAL – Connors’ delightful link up play between herself and Caspers, creates a passing lane in the left side of the penalty box and makes for an easy finish to tap it home and Sydney FC regain the lead.
90+4 | CASPERS CHANCE – Caspers constant pressure on McQueen allows her to get the interception yet is unable to get a convincing shot off.
Match Report: Sydney FC secured a thrilling 3-2 victory, with goals from Hawkesby, Tobin, and Connors setting positive momentum as Ante Juric’s side approach the rest of the season. After a challenging few weeks, Sydney FC responded in style, showcasing their talent in a statement performance.
An exhilarating first half from the Sky Blues saw an opening 15 minutes of constant pressure from the attacking line, coming to a head in the 13th minute when mesmerising link up play between Hollman and Hawkesby saw space created for the makeshift striker to fire Juric’s team into a well-earned lead which set the tone of the rest of the half.
Multiple chances from Ibini and Hawkesby were unlucky in not finding the back of the net. Ibini’s shot in the 16th minute would have allowed for a calmer approach going forward but she wasn’t able to capitalize on the final touch.
A set back in the form of injury in the 19th minute lowered Brisbane Roar’s spirits as goalkeeper Sekany went down, falling awkwardly on her knee when attempting to claim the ball.
The second half was action packed with attacking momentum from both sides. A Freier goal in the 48th minute via a mistimed pass by Thompson allowed Brisbane Roar to level followed up by multiple freekicks from Dos Santos which unfortunately couldn’t be finished.
A Hecher goal in the 61st minute from Pringle’s whipped in ball, saw Brisbane Roar go in front.
However the Sky Blues were able to dictate play from there on with a Hawkesby freekick laid off to Tobin allowing the Captain to unleash a strike and rocket the ball into the top corner, blasting Sydney FC back on level terms in spectacular fashion.
A tactical super sub change in the form of Connors was the final piece of the puzzle in securing the win. She warmed up with a chance in the 68th minute on a solo venture which went just wide.
But she followed it up by an orchestrating some link up play between herself and Caspers down the left side of the box which made for an easy finish as she rushed forward wanting to receive the inside pass.
Sydney FC take a well-earned thee points, setting a positive precedent for their away clash against the Newcastle Jets next week, where Ante Juric’s side will be on the hunt for another dominant victory.
Post-Match Coach’s Interview: Ante Juric (Sydney FC Head Coach)
What They Said: Ante Juric: “The girls showed their worth on the pitch today and it
showed in the result.
“I’m not worried about points in the next game, we’re pretty happy where we are.
“We will go into that match the same as any other.
“We’re here to play football, and get the three points which are up for grabs”
Sydney FC (Home) | Formation: 4-3-3: 28. Bethany MASON-JONES (GK), 14. Abbey Rae LEMON, 12. Natalie TOBIN (C), 16. Jordan THOMPSON, 4. Tori TUMETH, 6. Shay HOLLMAN, 26. Maddie CASPERS (21. Lucy JOHNSON 90’), 22. Indiana Dos SANTOS, 20. Princess IBINI (9. Shea CONNORS 67’), 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER (7. Millie FARROW 83’), 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY
Head Coach: Ante JURIC
Unused Substitutions: 13. Jasmine BLACK (GK), 3. Faye BRYSON.
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Brisbane Roar (Away) | Formation: 3-2-4-1: 33. Olivia SEKANY (GK) (1. Keeley RICHARDS (GK) 24’), 6. Holly MCQUEEN, 23. Isabela HOYOS (Danelle TAN 82’), 3. Deborah-Anne De LA HARPE (C), 32. Alicia WOODS, 14. Zara KRUGER, 18. Emily PRINGLE, 5. Amali KINSELLA (12. Tamar LEVIN 64’), 19. Laini FREIER, 8. Mariel HECHER, 10. Grace KUILAMU (20. Tanaye MORRIS 64’)
Head Coach: Alexander SMITH
Unused Substitutions: Momo HAYASHI
Yellow Cards: Isabela HOYOS 58’, Laini FREIER 66’.
Red Cards: None
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Referee: Caitlin WILLIAM
Attendance: 1,441
