Sydney FC has wrapped up a third consecutive A-League Women premiership with a 4-0 thrashing of the Newcastle Jets.
Key points:
- Mackenzie Hawkesbury and Cortnee Vine scored doubles for the Sky Blues
- The premiers will play Western United for a spot in the grand final later this month
- The Sky Blues have not won a championship since the 2018/19 season
After Western United won earlier on Saturday, the Sky Blues needed a victory at the Sydney Football Stadium to ensure they became the first side to finish top in three straight seasons.
They huffed and puffed for large parts against a spirited Jets outfit, but braces from influential midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby and Matildas winger Cortnee Vine ensured the Sky Blues wrapped up the premiers’ plate.
“I’m super proud,” coach Ante Juric said.
“No-one’s done this, three premierships. I don’t think we get the credit for it. Three premierships equals the best defence and attack and that’s hard.
“Only five or six losses in those years, that’s unheard of. It’s tough because everyone wants to beat us.”
Sydney FC will play Western United in a fortnight’s time for a spot in the grand final.
The championship has eluded Juric over the past three seasons, even though his side has consistently been the strongest in the competition.
They had to work hard on Saturday with Hawkesby’s 15th minute opener the only shot that Newcastle goalkeeper Georgie Worth could not stop from going in.
A sodden pitch also slowed the ball and halted Sydney FC’s ability to play behind the Jets defence.
Worth was frustrating the Sky Blues and it was not until the goalkeeper was substituted to give the retiring Clare Coelho a cameo in the 75th minute that the picture changed.
Coelho fumbled a Hawkesby shot into the back of her net soon after coming on and Juric was finally able to breathe easily.
“We were missing chances and I did think for a second that they were going to hurt us and we would cop something at the end,” Juric said.
With victory wrapped up, the Sky Blues turned on the style with Vine scoring two goals in added time to put the gloss on another premiership victory.
AAP