Sydney FC are one win away from claiming the A-League Women premiership-championship double after beating Melbourne Victory 1-0 to reach the grand final against Western United.
The Sky Blues earned some revenge for their past two grand final defeats by ending Victory’s hopes of a championship three-peat, reaching their sixth consecutive decider via Madison Haley’s poached goal in the 89th minute.
Ante Juric’s side will face United, who defeated them 1-0 in the semi-final, at CommBank Stadium next Sunday.
The Sky Blues’ win at Allianz Stadium also spares the Australian Professional Leagues’ blushes, as a Victory win would have meant an all-Melbourne grand final controversially held in NSW.
Victory attempted to mimic United’s stoic defensive approach and drag the game out but were brought undone when their defence switched off and Haley pounced on Casey Dumont’s spilled save.
Dumont was otherwise excellent, making six saves, while defenders Jessika Nash, Kayla Morrison, Claudia Bunge and Beattie Goad worked hard throughout.
Sydney had 23 shots to Victory’s four, with Cortnee Vine and Haley constant threats, while Sky Blues captain Natalie Tobin and fellow central defender Charlotte Mclean shut down star striker Melina Ayres.
With Amy Jackson suspended, Victory coach Jeff Hopkins moved Natalie Tathem into defensive midfield, shifted attacker Goad to left-back and called upon 17-year-old winger Ava Briedis for her first start of the season.
Sydney had the first chance of the game in the 19th minute when Mackenzie Hawkesby pinched the ball away from Bunge but nicked the ball towards Dumont.
After a cagey opening 25 minutes, Sydney started to crank up the heat and seize control of the contest.
Dumont made a huge save to deny Rachel Lowe in the 29th minute and batted away a Princess Ibini strike two minutes later.
Victory didn’t record a shot in the opening half while Sydney had 11 but just two on target.
Hopkins’ outfit came out of halftime with greater intent, with Lia Privitelli replacing Briedis and Kayla Morrison fired Victory’s first shot in the 51st minute.
Vine got away from Goad in the 53rd minute, but blasted off-target, while Lowe shot straight at Dumont four minutes later.
Dumont stood tall again to deny Haley in the 61st minute while the American nicked a volley just wide of the post in the 68th minute.
Sydney broke through when Tobin surged forward and created chaos in Victory’s penalty box.
Vine and Hawkesby combined to force the ball back to Sarah Hunter and while Dumont dived forward to claim her long-range shot, she let the ball slip and Haley reacted quickest to tap home.
Source: AAP
