PHOTO: Sydney FC looking to win through for a chance to defend their championship | Credit: Emily Mogic / emilymogic.com

Have you been aboard the Sydney FC train this season?

They have been steaming along, rarely missing a beat. No team has scored more goals and no team has played more games.

The Sky Blues are now heading into one of the biggest matches this season.

A win is the only result that matters. Lose and you’re out for the count. Win and they move on to play in the decider for the Championship.

Sydney’s season has been quite consistent.

They haven’t dropped a point to anyone outside the top four and they’ve managed to bank a few big wins along the way, most notably against Melbourne Victory in Round 1 and a depleted Perth Glory squad in Round 5.

Against Melbourne, Sydney results have been a mixture of impressive and fortunate. In Round 1, Sydney showcased how cutthroat they can be, dominating Melbourne with a 5-1 mauling. The second time they met, Sydney were perhaps a little tired following on from their international matches, but they still managed to carve out a 1-1 draw.

Throughout all of these matches, Sydney have showcased their immaculate depth. Players of the calibre of Ellyse Perry can focus on dual international duty and there is someone to more than adequately fill the void.

Sydney also know how to play in these big matches.

They bring their A game and have a culture of winning that is surpassed by no other team. They’re believers in their own abilities.

There are quite possibly too many quality players in the Sydney squad to be able to stop them.

Kryptonite

Given all this, Melbourne Victory must be asking themselves; how can we defeat Sydney?

Well sometimes Sydney hurt themselves.

They aren’t always known for their clean finishes, but given how many goals they do score, simply waiting for Sydney to trip themselves up would not be an impressive strategy. Perhaps Melbourne need to take a leaf out of Canberra’s playbook.

Canberra is the only team to have Sydney’s number this season. The only team to beat them, not once but twice. In the match last week, part of Canberra’s win can be attributed to playing Sydney at their own game.

An intensive first 10 minutes put Sydney on the back foot. Clearly pressuring Sydney flusters their composure and makes them jittery.

Melbourne need to do that. Stop Sydney’s flow and keep them out of the 18 yard box. Sydney aren’t so great at taking their shots from long range. That’s not to say they can’t do it though.

Sydney’s defence can also be beaten. They have conceded a few goals through lost concentration and whilst Melbourne have been guilty of missing key shots, they definitely have the firepower to hit Sydney in the back of the net.

Match Winners

Jodie Taylor (Forward)

So what is it about this team that makes them almost unstoppable? Goalscorers!

English import Jodie Taylor finished the season on top of the W-League goal scoring ladder notching up 11 goals. Taylor has been explosive. Her speed, ball control and creative shots have been a pleasure to watch.

Along the way Taylor has been rested so expect her to be ready to rock and roll this party.

Sydney’s goalscoring goes further than Taylor. Five players from Sydney are in the top 15 scorers. More than any other team. Nicola Bolger (5), Caitlin Foord (4), Emma Kete (4) and Leena Khamis (4) can all be lethal with anything less than a fully committed opponent backline. Each player scores goals and are a significant threat.

Sydney's beating heart | Credit: Joseph Mayers Photography Sydney's beating heart | Credit: Joseph Mayers Photography

Kete seems to almost light up when she’s playing with Taylor and Foord has danger written all over her when she moonlights as a forward.

Teresa Polias (Midfielder)

Twice Sydney FC’s player of the year, Polias has great touch and the ability to continually apply pressure.

The threatening midfielder has enough heart to break you down and epitomises the desire to win.

Renee Rollason (Defender)

Once again, the retiring Renee Rollason is the player to watch in the backline. “Rollo” is a spoiler who has plenty of experience and leadership skills to keep the Victory attack in check.

Also gifted as a midfielder and attacker, Rollo can be versatile and present a challenge to opponents in whatever role she plays.

Sydney FC squad: Casey Dumont (gk), Alesha Clifford, Danielle Brogan (c), Liz Ralston, Amy Harrison, Caitlin Foord, Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger, Renee Rollason, Jodie Taylor, Emma Kete, Leena Khamis, Ellyse Perry, Trudy Camilleri, Sam Kerr, Chloe Logarzo, Sham Khamis (gk) (one to be omitted)