Sydney FC Women extend their unbeaten streak with a 0-0 draw in the Western Sydney derby at Marconi Stadium. The result leaves Sydney FC in third place on the Ninja A-League table as they prepare to travel to McKellar Park on Wednesday to face Canberra United.
Match result: Sydney FC 0 – Western Sydney Wanderers 0
Key moments:
- 55’ Hawkesby chance: Galic controles the ball near the edge of the area, feeds a square pass to Hawkesby for a clean shot, but she fires high and wide for a goal kick.
- 58’ Caspers chance: Tanner Trivelas delivers a byline ball to Galic, who crosses to Caspers. A quick touch from Caspers leads to a shot, but it misses the target.
- 66’ Lemon clearance: Cong breaks in on goal, Lemon launches a last-second sliding clearance to corner.
- 68’ Fenton block: Cong finds space inside the six-yard box and shoots; Fenton slides in, with Robertson extending to block.
- 81’ Robertson save: Youniss taps a through ball past a defender, but Robertson dives to deflect wide.
- 90’ Robertson save: Ng-Saad bursts through central defense and curls a shot to the bottom-left corner; Robertson stretches to parry.
Match narrative:
Sydney FC started pressing from the opening whistle, seeking an early foothold in the Wanderers’ half. Western Sydney controlled the central passing lanes early, using quick combinations to probe for openings.
The Sky Blues regrouped and began targeting the Wanderers’ defensive line, with Juric’s forwards pressuring defenders and generating opportunities. Sydney earned two corners in quick succession as the 20-minute mark approached, but the Wanderers’ defense held firm.
Abraham’s side dominated possession as the first half neared its end, stifling Sydney’s build-up and limiting chances on the break.
As the first half closed, both teams traded chances. Cong headed narrowly wide for the Wanderers, and Sydney FC went into the break level.
Second half:
Sydney FC came out with renewed intent, looking to ink the decisive goal in the derby. The opening ten minutes of the second period saw both sides exchange pressure and build play.
Around the 15-minute mark, Sydney created a trio of near-misses: Galic advanced to the edge of the box and set up Hawkesby for a rising strike that sailed over the bar for a goal kick. Shortly after, Tanner crossed from the left to Galic, who laid the ball back for Caspers to shoot, but the chance did not end in a goal.
Wanderers shifted tempo, testing Sydney’s back line. Cong broke free on a counter, but Lemon tracked back to clear on the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Cong again found space in the box; Robertson managed to deny her with a defensive block.
In the closing stages, Wanderers’ pressure remained constant. A defensive miscue in the 81st minute opened a dangerous through ball for Younnis, but Robertson intercepted and kept the scoreline level.
Post-match:
Ante Juric’s side earned a point from the derby, moving to third on the Ninja A-League table. The team now heads to McKellar Park on Wednesday, December 10, to face Canberra United in search of three points.
Post-match comments – Coach Ante Juric:
"Today was a hard-fought game. I’m disappointed with our execution in possession and the number of times we gave the ball away. We did, however, defend our final third exceptionally well, showing unity and determination. The point reflects the balance of the match. Now we focus on Wednesday against Canberra."
Team lineups and formations:
Sydney FC (Away) – Formation: 4-3-3. Tiahna Robertson; Abbey Lemon; Rubi Sullivan; Madeleine Caspers; Sarah Hunter (captain); Bianca Galic (Hana Lowry sub 77’); Riley Tanner (Jodi UlkeKul sub 77’); Amelia Cassar (Caley Tallon-Henniker sub 46’); Mackenzie Hawkesby (Skye Halmarick sub 64’). Head Coach: Ante Juric. Unused subs: Alyse Oppedisano, Madison Ayson. Yellow cards: none. Red cards: none.
Western Sydney Wanderers (Home) – Formation: 4-2-3-1. Sham Khamis; Danika Matos; Ella Buchanan; Alana Cerne; Poppie Hooks; Amy Chessari; Ena Harada; Amy Harrison (captain) (Olivia Price sub 77’); Holly Caspers (Allyssa Ng-Saad sub 86’); Kim Soeun (Talia Younis sub 60’); Yuan Cong. Head Coach: Geoff Abrahams. Unused subs: Brianna Edwards, Wang Ying, Alvina Khoshaba. Yellow cards: none. Red cards: none.
Venue: Marconi Stadium, Bossley Park, NSW. Referee: not listed.
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