The Sky Blues Westfield W-League draw for season 2015/16 has been confirmed with a tantalising opening fixture and a Sydney Derby highlighting the first four rounds.
Sydney FC will kick off the season at home against new club Melbourne City FC on Sunday 18 October, with the City Group backed club boasting plenty of firepower with Matildas Lisa De Vanna and Larissa Crummer leading the line.
Following a trip to McKellar Park to face Canberra United the Sky Blues will contest the first Sydney Derby of the season at Pirtek Stadium on 1 November in the first of three broadcast fixtures for the campaign, kicking off at 2pm.
Clashes against Perth Glory and Canberra United again are split by a bye, with the competition now hosting nine teams, before Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers beckon with the Sky Blues home ground Lambert Park, Leichhardt set to packed to the rafters for the second Sydney Derby and the first match of summer.
After travelling to Perth Glory in round nine, Sydney FC will contest two broadcast fixtures in a row throughout the festive period. The first clash sees the Sky Blues travel to Central Coast Stadium for the first time since 2009 to face Brisbane Roar on Sunday 20 December before heading south to face Melbourne City FC at AAMI Park in round 11 on Sunday 27 December.
Following the second bye of the season the Sky Blues round out the campaign at home against the Newcastle Jets before travelling to face Melbourne City on Saturday 16 January in the final match of the regular season.
Having been pipped at the semi-final stage in the 2014 season, Sydney FC Head Coach Daniel Barrett will be eager to go one step further as he said he’s happy with the progress his squad have made ahead of round one.
“Myself, the squad and my staff are all looking forward to the challenges ahead for our squad this season,” he said.
“We have Melbourne City to kick things off and to be honest that’s as far as we are looking at this point in time. It’s a match by match approach for us this season.
“Preseason has been positive with a great new energy around the group. Myself and the coaching staff are just ensuring we tick all the boxes in the lead up to the first game.
“We want everyone fit and healthy and with the same positive mindset on display at training to take into this clash,” he continued.
“Things are coming together to plan at this stage and I’m happy with our progress.”
Sydney FC’s Westfield W-League squad will be in action in the South Coast Football Challenge as they face the Illawarra Stingrays in a curtain raiser clash (kick off 5:15pm) ahead of the Hyundai A-League squad’s match against the Wellington Phoenix (kick off 7:30pm) at WIN Stadium, Wollongong. Follow @SydneyFC on Twitter for match updates.
Sydney FC Westfield W-League 2015/16 Fixtures (all times AEDT):
Rd 1 – v Melbourne City (H) Lambert Park, Leichhardt, Sunday 18 October, kick off 5:30pm.
Rd 2 – v Canberra United (A) McKellar Park, Saturday 24 October, kick off 4pm.
Rd 3 – v Western Sydney Wanderers (A) Pirtek Stadium, Sunday 1 November, kick off 2pm.
Rd 4 – v Perth Glory (H) Lambert Park, Leichhardt, Sunday 8 November, kick off 4pm.
Rd 5 – bye
Rd 6 – v Canberra United (H) Lambert Park, Leichhardt, Sunday 22 November, kick off 5:30pm.
Rd 7 – v Adelaide United (A) Adelaide Shores Football Centre, Friday 27 November, kick off 7:30pm.
Rd 8 – v Western Sydney Wanderers (H) Lambert Park, Leichhardt, Sunday 6 December, kick off 4pm.
Rd 9 – v Perth Glory (A) Ashfield Reserve, Sunday 13 December, kick off 7pm.
Rd 10 – v Brisbane Roar (H) Central Coast Stadium, Sunday 20 December, kick off 2pm.
Rd 11 – v Melbourne Victory (A) AAMI Park, Sunday 27 December, kick off 2pm.
Rd 12 – bye
Rd 13 – v Newcastle Jets (H) Lambert Park, Leichhardt, Sunday 10 January, kick off 4pm.
Rd 14 – v Melbourne City (A) C.B Smith Reserve, Fawkner, Saturday 16 January, kick off 2pm.
Sydney FC W-League Memberships are now on sale for the Westfield W-League 2015/16 season. Click HERE to become part of the Sky Blues family
