Sydney FC have secured a vital victory, propelling them off the bottom of the A-League Women’s ladder and simultaneously hindering the finals ambitions of their fierce rivals, Melbourne Victory. The Sky Blues, who had been locked in a tense battle with Western Sydney to avoid the ignominious wooden spoon, owe their escape to the brilliance of Panama international Riley Tanner. Tanner netted two crucial goals at Leichhardt Oval, lifting Sydney FC to 18 points and two clear of the Wanderers.
Jets Keep Finals Dream Alive
Earlier on Saturday, forward Kelli Brown put on a stellar performance, one of her best of the season, to steer Newcastle Jets to a commanding 3-1 win over Adelaide United. This victory, crucial for their slim finals hopes, saw Brown bag a brace at Adelaide’s ServiceFM Stadium.
The win brings Newcastle (23 points) to within three points of sixth-placed Central Coast Mariners (26 points). However, their path to the finals is far from straightforward. They face a daunting task next Sunday against ladder-leaders Melbourne City and will need a string of favourable results from other matches to progress.
Victory’s Finals Aspirations Hinge on Final Round
Melbourne Victory, currently in seventh place with 25 points, now face a precarious situation. Their hopes of making the finals will be decided in their crucial last-round clash against Perth Glory next Friday. A loss in this match would be a significant blow to their post-season aspirations.
Match Details: Sydney FC vs. Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory initially took the lead in their encounter with Sydney FC. Rachel Lowe opened the scoring, receiving the ball on the edge of the box and unleashing a powerful shot into the top-left corner.
However, Riley Tanner responded swiftly for Sydney FC. In the 31st minute, she capitalised on a loose pass, surged downfield, and calmly slotted the ball past Victory’s goalkeeper, Courtney Newbon, to level the scores.
The decisive moment came in the second half when Tanner struck again. Exploiting a lapse in concentration, she intercepted a pass from Victory captain Kayla Morrison and, with a clinical finish, found the back of the net.
In the dying moments of the match, a handball appeal against 15-year-old Sydney FC player Willa Pearson was waved away by the referee, allowing the home side to hold on for a significant victory.
Adelaide United’s Missed Opportunity
Adelaide United will undoubtedly be disappointed with their loss, as it prevented them from climbing into the coveted second spot on the ladder. They remain in fourth place with 30 points, one point behind second-placed Wellington Phoenix (31 points). Both Wellington and third-placed Canberra United (30 points) have games in hand during the competition’s penultimate round.
Match Details: Newcastle Jets vs. Adelaide United
Adelaide United were unable to dictate play in front of their home supporters throughout their match against Newcastle. Kelli Brown was the catalyst for the Jets’ success, scoring in the 23rd and 83rd minutes.
The Jets’ other goal came from 19-year-old Josie Allan. Midfielder Sophie Hoban showcased her skill on the right flank, wrestling past defenders and cutting the ball back to Allan, who guided it into the bottom-left corner.
Adelaide United did manage a moment of celebration when Chelsie Dawber delivered a pinpoint cross, finding captain Isabel Hodgson, who headed the ball home in the 41st minute. However, this solitary goal was not enough to secure a positive result.
