A relentless performance from Sydney FC sealed with a Maddie Caspers goal in the final 15 minutes gave the Sky Blues a 1-0 win and lifts Ante Juric’s squad top of the A-League Women’s competition.
Sydney FC 1 (Caspers 76’) def. Central Coast Mariners FC 0
Moments That Mattered:
12’ | HUNTER SHOT – Sarah takes aim from distance and it’s on target but Langman flies across her goal to save.
53′ | ULKEKUL SHOT – Jodi Ulkekul hits a shot on target following good build up play but it is caught by the hands of Langman.
73’ | ROBERTSON SAVE – Fuller hits one from outside the box but Robertson is off her feet to save in the top corner.
76’ | CASPERS GOAL – A well-worked effort sees an under pressure Tallon-Henniker execute a perfect 1-2 with Caspers to set her up for an incredible strike just outside the box.
Match Report: Sydney FC finish the weekend on top of both the A-League Men and Women’s competitions after the Sky Blues Women defeated Champions Central Coast Mariners 1-0 thanks to a late Maddie Caspers goal.
Ante Juric’s Women emerged ready to build on a great home win last time out against Perth Glory as the Sky Blues hosted 8th placed Central Coast Mariners.
The first half see both teams looking defensively stable with Sydney FC’s best chance coming from a long range effort from Sarah Hunter which was well saved, while the Mariner’s defence stood resolute and created little going forward.
The few shots they did create saw the Sky Blues effectively deal with them.
The half-time whistle gives the players respite from what was a humid and frustrating first period.
The second half begins with the teams exchanging chances with Ulkekul hitting a shot at Langman which the keeper saved on 59 minutes before Robertson made a fine top corner save from Fuller in the 73rd.
The moment of the match was a moment of magic three minutes later from Caspers. She received the ball on the edge of the box from Tallon-Henniker and turned to rifle it beyond Langman from just outside the box to give Sydney FC a much-deserved lead.
It was a lead they didn’t look like squandering to record a third consecutive clean sheet.
What They Said: Ante Juric: “It’s always nice [to get the win late] at home because the crowd pushes you forward.
“I think our fitness has really helped us score goals at the end of games. I’m really happy with the effort.
“The performance maybe needs to improve in some areas, some touches and things like that, but when the effort’s there, you always have a chance to win.
On Maddie Caspers: “She’s excellent. I joked midweek that she hasn’t scored for a while, after she scored three or four in a row when she debuted.
“She was excellent today — making runs forward, very good in possession, high energy. She’s outstanding and she’s going to be a top, top player. Hopefully a future international.”
Maddie Caspers: “I kind of just saw the gap and took the shot, I guess. It was a great ball in the build-up as well, so it was really pleasing.
“I think Central Coast played a great game. I know it’s a cliché, but they really made us work. I think our team did the job though, and we handled it really well.
“I think coming off last week, we’ve really focussed on being more aggressive as a team.
“And having internationals like Riley [Tanner] around helps a lot as well. I haven’t played all that many minutes this season, so it’s good to contribute.”
Sydney FC | 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON, 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kirsty FENTON, 16. Willa PEARSON, 14. Abbey LEMON, 21. Sarah HUNTER (c), 26. Madeline CASPERS, 7. Mille CASSAR (24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER 57’), 13. Riley TANNER (19. Skye HALMARICK 70’), 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY (9. Jodi ÜLKEKUL 46’), 32. Bianca GALIC.
Unused Subs | 22. Alyssa ROSE, 23. Rubi SULLIVAN, 29. Alyse OPPEDISANO
Head Coach | Ante JURIC Yellow Cards | 5. Kirsty FENTON 23’
Red Cards | None
Central Coast Mariners FC | 1. Sarah LANGMAN, 3. Elizabeth BARWICK-GREY, 5. Annabel MARTIN, 6. Isabel GOMEZ, 11. Annalise RASMUSSEN (17. Jynaya DOS SANTOS 58’), 14. Greta KRASZULA (9. Millie FARROW 83’), 16. Tess QUILLIGAN (7. Avaani PRAKASH 77’), 18. Taren KING (c), 22. Peta TRIMIS, 23. Lorena BAUMANN, Isabella COCO-DI SIPO (12. Tiana FULLER 46’)
Unused Subs | 13. Kaiya BUCHANAN, 15. Annalee GROVE
Head Coach | Kory BABINGTON
Yellow Cards | 18. Taren KING 17’, 11. Annalise RASMUSSEN 53’, 6. Isabel GOMEZ 63’, 23. Lorena BAUMANN 85’
Red Cards | None
Venue | Leichhardt Oval Referee | Page MALAU-ADULI
Attendance: 2,445
