Matildas live wire Cortnee Vine’s solitary goal secured three points for Sydney FC against last season’s beaten Grand Finalists Western United.
The win closed the gap on leaders Melbourne City and sent the Sky Blues into third place on the ladder with a game in hand.
Sydney FC’s impressive defensive record was also preserved with the 1-0 win.
Western United (0) defeated Sydney FC (1) Cortnee Vine (70’)
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
11’ – FENTON DENIES ALANA CERNE – Adangerous Chloe Logarzo corner kick reaches Alana Cerne but Kirsty Fenton blocks the shot.
15’ – CERNE HITS THE CROSSBAR – Another dangerous corner kick is not cleared away by the Sydney FC defence with Cerne jumping high, but her header hits the crossbar and goes out.
30’ – WHYMAN PULLS OFF A HUGE SAVE – Kwiwa Hieda gets a clear chance to run through the Sydney FC defence, but Whyman sticks out a right foot and deflects a certain goal wide oof the upright.
65’ – RAY LONG RANGE DRIVE – Sydney FC possession sees Taylor Ray receive the ball outside the box where unleashes the shot but it is saved by the keeper.
69’ – VINE GOAL – Princess Ibini plays a delightful cross into the box to Cortnee Vine who pokes the ball over the rushing Western United goalkeeper.
70’ – LEMON CHANCE – Vine passes the ball to Lemon in the box but her effort is just wide.
83’ – BEALL SAVES LEMON’S SHOT – Another great effort from Lemon tests Beall in the Western United goal who pushed the looping ball over the crossbar.
What They Said: Sydney FC Head Coach, Ante Juric said: “We did well today probably our best performance in the second half this season.
“We are competing, we were at 85 percent, 90 percent but we weren’t at 100 percent, and I just explained to them that if we play at hundred percent, we win this game and we dominated the second half and am really happy with that.”
Charlotte McLean said: “Am so proud of the girls, we’ve been really pushing to get a win and we have been struggling a bit in the front third but I am so happy with the effort.
“At half time we thought they were showing all heart and we said that’s not allowed in our stadium, so we came out and we gave all back.”
Match Report: Sydney FC have moved up to third in the Liberty A-League overtaking Western United after defeating the Melburnians 1-0 at Allianz Stadium.
Western United started strongly with corner kicks from Alana Cerne failing to give them an early lead.
Sydney FC came in this game with the best defensive record in the Liberty A-League while Western United had one of the teams with the best attack.
The immovable Sky Blues defence was tested again when the young Japanese Western United forward Kwiwa Hieda dribbled through however Jada Whyman came quickly off her line and denied her by using her feet.
Sydney FC had not conceded a single goal in the second half, and it looked likely to continue.
Ante Juric introduced danger woman, Cortnee Vine in the 60th minute for Jynaya Dos Santos and Vine’s presence immediately caused trouble for Western United.
The Sky Blues pushed for an opening goal and Princess Ibini’s wonderful cross fell perfectly for Vine who sneaked past her marker and poked the ball over Hillary Beall in the 70th minute to make it 1-0.
Sydney FC looked impressive in the second half with Western United failing to contain them on a number of occasions. Abbey Lemon and Taylor Ray’s testing shots failed to extend Sydney FC’s slender lead but Cortnee Vine’s goal was enough to secure a win.
This moves the Sky Blues above today’s opponents Western United in the league standings with a game in hand.
Sydney FC Line-Up:
Jada Whyman, 4. Tori Tumeth, 3. Charlotte McLean, 16. Jordan Thompson, 5. Kristy Fenton, 21. Shay Hollman, 15. Mackenzie Hawkesby, 18. Taylor Ray, 13. Aideen Keane (14. Abbey Lemon 68’), 17. Jynaya Dos Santos (11. Cortnee Vine 60’), 20. Princess Ibini.
Unused subs: 40. Jasmine Black, 19. Zara Kruger, 22. Indiana Dos Santos,
Yellow Cards: Shay Hollman (90+), Taylor Ray (90+)
Red Cards: None
Western United Line-Up
21. Hillary Elizabeth Beall, 2. Stacey Papadopoulos (24. Julia Sardo 64’), 22. Alana Cerne, 18. Grace Maher, 19. Tyla Jay Vlajnic, 11. Emma Viktoria Robers (9. Hannah Keane 64’), 16. Melissa Taranto, 15. Adriana Taranto (14. Natasha Dakic 89’), 4. Jaclyn Sawicki, 20. Kwiwa Hieda (13. Avaani Prakash 80’), 6. Chloe Logarzo
Unused subs: 1. Alyssa Dall’Oste.
Yellow Cards: None.
Red Cards: None
Venue: Allianz Stadium
Referee: Casey Reibelt
