Champions Sydney FC have underlined their W-League title credentials with a stunning 4-0 win over arch-rivals Brisbane Roar.
Champions Sydney FC have underlined their W-League title credentials with a stunning four nil win over arch-rivals Brisbane Roar.
Brisbane fielded an entirely international outfield starting side yet still fell to a club record defeat against a Sydney side that were superior in every facet at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Roar coach Belinda Wilson sprung a surprise by electing to leave Nadine Angerer on the bench, with the newly crowned FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year only returning from Zurich on Thursday.
Sydney soon found the kind of form which has delivered an astonishing 26 goals in just seven outings this season.
Nicola Bolger and Caitlin Foord were denied in quick succession but Emma Kete opened the scoring on 18 minutes with an opportunistic header after the Roar failed to clear their lines.
Almost immediately Kete turned provider putting the ball on a plate for Leena Khamis to finish from point-blank range and double the margin.
Sydney constantly looked threatening with their pace in attack and superior movement off the ball.
It was little surprise when first-half substitute Jodie Taylor gave the Sky Blues a near-unassailable lead a minute before the break after dancing around the goalkeeper and finishing impressively from an acute angle.
Tameka Butt narrowly failed to get on the end of a sharp chance but openings in the second half remained at a premium for the unusually outplayed Roar with Sky Blues goalkeeper Casey Dumont a spectator for lengthy periods against her former club.
Most of the goalmouth action remained at the other end and Taylor was twice denied by the impressive Kate Stewart deputising for Angerer.
The English striker then played a delightful ball in for substitute Chloe Logarzo with only another sharp Stewart block denying the teenager a goal within a minute of entering the fray.
Taylor would not be denied her second and she outmuscled Kim Carroll before sprinting away for a cool finish past the exposed Stewart.
The game slowed in the warm conditions and only Stewart stood between a truly embarrassing scoreline for the visitors with the free-running Logarzo twice more denied.
Sydney FC 4 (Emma Kete 18’, Leena Khamis 20’, Jodie Taylor 44’ 79’)
Brisbane Roar 0
