Summary
Sydney FC 3 (De Vanna 30’, 42’, Pressley [OG] 48’) def. Canberra United 0
Sydney FC produced an assured display at Allianz Stadium to defeat Canberra United and move joint top of the Westfield W-League.
The Sky Blues were inspired by the offensive prowess of Lisa De Vanna and Amy Harrison whose combination play unlocked Canberra’s defense seemingly at will.
Despite spurning some presentable chances towards the end of the game, Sydney FC will no doubt be delighted with the result with two De Vanna strikes and an own goal securing their fourth win in a row.
Goals
30’ DE VANNA: Sonnett goes down after a crunching challenge in the centre of the pitch, but Sydney FC look to play on. A punt downfield finds Ibini, who does well to escape her marker and deliver a low cross for De Vanna to bang home.
42’ DE VANNA: Yeoman-Dale and Harrison combine beautifully down the flank, releasing De Vanna who rushes into the box, cutting back onto her left foot before unleashing an unstoppable effort that nestles into the top corner.
48’ PRESSLEY (OG): Harrison and De Vanna show good understanding to craft some space down the left flank. De Vanna pumps a great cross into the box, which looks destined to be met by Ibini at the back post, that is before it is inexplicably headed into the net by Pressley for an own goal.
Key Moments
4’ DE VANNA HITS SIDE NETTING: Siemsen shows great strength to shrug off the challenge of Hunt, continuing her run into the box and teasing a cross into the path of De Vanna who lashes into the side netting.
16’ DE VANNA NEARLY ROBS GOALKEEPER: A Canberra United defender undercooks their pass back to Kopmeyer, De Vanna goes ever so close to intercepting the ball before it is eventually cleared.
18’ KHAMIS SUBLIME SAVE: Carpenter makes a surging run from midfield, breaking into Sydney FC’s box and shooting powerfully, Khamis doing well to deflect the effort away from goal.
37’ SIEMSEN HITS UPRIGHT: Some delightful build up play from Sydney FC in the final third finds Siemsen with space in the opposition box. Her goal bound strike deflects against the outstretched leg of Bassett and bounces off the post with the goalkeeper stranded.
50’ HARRISON JUST WIDE: De Vanna and Harrison are causing chaos in the Canberra back line. This time a sharp one-two affords Harrison some space inside the box but her strike curls just wide of the upright.
52’ SONNETT DISALLOWED GOAL: Canberra fail to clear a free-kick into the box and Sonnett twists and turns before striking the ball past the goalkeeper. However the Sky Blues’ players celebrations are interrupted by the offside flag, which was raised against Ibini in the build-up.
54’ KHAMIS SAVE: A rare Canberra chance is well dealt with by Khamis who gets down quickly to make a sharp save.
59’ HARRISON AND IBINI BOTH GO CLOSE: Sydney FC wins back possession in the midfield and break quickly on the counter. Harrison has a crack from inside the box, the ball cannoning back off the post to Ibini, who is unable to get the ball out from her feet quickly enough.
65’ LEDBROOK GOES CLOSE: Ibini shows brilliant skill to keep the ball under pressure from several Canberra players. Wriggling free she lays the ball off to the onrushing Cooper whose powerful hit is just kept out by Kopmeyer
76’ KHAMIS ON THE TURN: Harrison finds Khamis with a deft pass, the Sky Blue striker finding time to turn but her effort is parried by Kopmeyer.
79’ FOORD BREAKS FREE: Harrison plays a through ball for Foord to run onto, the Australian Matilda breaking into the box before shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
85’ KHAMIS SAVES AGAIN: The Sky Blue keeper looks to want a clean sheet today and she will definitely have earned it, on this occasion denying Heyman one-on-one with an outstretched leg.
90+4’ HARRISON DENIED: Sydney FC breaks in numbers with Canberra having committed most of their players forward. Harrison receives the ball inside the box but is unable to keep her shot far enough away from Kopmeyer.
Team News
Sydney FC 3 (De Vanna 30’, 42’, Pressley [OG] 48’) def. Canberra United 0
Khamis replaces Bledsoe in the Sydney FC goal, while Cooper takes the place of Logarzo who was injured in last weeks Sydney Derby.
Ground: Allianz Stadium
Referee: Cadey Reibelt
Sydney FC: 1. Shamiran KHAMIS (gk), 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Remy SIEMSEN (19. Leena KHAMIS, 63’), 4. Elizabeth RALSTON, 8. Amy HARRISON, 10. Kylie LEDBROOK, 11. Lisa De VANNA (9. Caitlin FOORD, 69’), 13. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 15. Caitlin COOPER, 16. Emily SONNETT, 20. Princess IBINI (17. Angelique HRISTODOULOU, 75’).
Subs Not Used: 30. Sheridan RAINEY (gk).
Yellow Cards: 15. Cooper 83’
Red Cards: None.
Canberra United: 1. Hayley KOPMEYER (gk), 3. Clare HUNT, 4. Toni PRESSLEY, 5. Brianna OLIVERIO (19. Aoife COLVILL, 66’), 7. Nikoletta FLANNERY, 10. Grace MAHER, 11. Elise THORSNES, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 21. Ellie CARPENTER, 23. Michelle HEYMAN, 34. Laura BASSETT (8. Liana DANASKOS, 59’).
Subs Not Used: 36. Georgia BORIC (gk), 17. Madelyn WHITTALL.
Yellow Cards: 8. Danaskos 68’
Red Cards: None.
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