Sydney FC secured their third win in a row defeating Adelaide United 2-0 in front of a capacity crowd at Seymour Shaw Park. 

The Sky Blue side appear to have hit their stride as we approach the quarter point of the season. In a very dominant first half Sydney held most of the possession and spent  long periods of time camped in Adelaide's box. All this despite the absence of Kyah Simon who was out due to injury.

It was Adelaide's last ditch defensive pressure and their discipline to squeeze the centre forward space that resulted in frustrations for the Sydney striker duo of Leena Khamis and Remy Siemsen.

Reds goalkeeper Eliza Campbell was also crucial in stopping the Sydney FC onslaught making the right positional choice time and time again.

The crowd were murmuring that Sydney should have been leading by a few goals but the story was less about the Sky Blues and more about Adelaide's uncanny ability to wear pressure.

But all good things must come to an end and it was Siemsen's floating shot over a sweeping Campbell in the 42nd minute that opened scoring for Sydney FC and broke the deadlock.

It was ultimately a fair outcome after endless work by Olivia Price in the midfield and an ever energetic Georgia Yeoman-Dale who has been a stand-out this season.

In a story of two halves, Adelaide were able to regain control of the midfield in the second 45 and operated like a totally different team winning more of the 50-50 balls and drawing fouls while asserting their presence. 

Unfortunately their decision-making in the final third was a punish. Quigley and Huerta did well to test Sham Khamis in moments but a general disconnect between the lines was evident.

Sydney were mildly threatened by an equaliser but in the end they sealed the deal forcing an Adelaide own goal in a scramble in the final minutes of the game. 

Sydney FC are certainly looking sharp and fit and are a top contender for another finals appearance but there remains a few areas for improvement. 

A primary issue is the lack of capitalisation on corners and set pieces. Yeoman-Dale and Natalie Tobin were able to secure multiple corners for Sydney but they fell to naught. 

Sydney were seen to orchestrate very close overlapping runs passing almost toe to toe between midfield players. This had the look of a well rehearsed training drill but did not appear to result in splitting defenders or opening space in a choked Adelaide third.

A focus instead on improving cutback placement and general organisation of players running into the box may help to get more goals like Siemsen's first against Roar which was a cracker. 

This style plays to Sydney's current strengths as a flank strong team (much like in the Kerr days) and avoids the common "stop Sydney" tactic of crowding the box with bodies.

Match Details

Sydney FC 2 (Remy Siemsen 42’, Emily Hodgson 85’ own goal)

Adelaide United 0

Sunday 27 November 2016

Seymour Shaw, Sydney

Kick-off: 5pm

Referee: Rachel Mitchenson

Sydney FC: Sham Khamis (gk), Teresa Polias (c), Remy Siemsen (Princess Ibini 84’), Liz Ralston, Nicola Bolger, Caitlin Foord (Hannah Bacon 46’), Georgia Yeoman-Dale, Natalie Tobin, Olivia Price, Alanna Kennedy, Leena Khamis (Gabe Marzano 86’)

Substitutes – Sarah Easthope (gk)

Cautions – Georgia Yeoman-Dale 65’, Teresa Polias 89’

Adelaide United: Eliza Campbell (gk), Emily Hodgson, Monica, Ally Ladas (Racheal Quigley 59’), Stella Rigon (c), Sofia Huerta, Grace Abbey (Georgia Iannella 70’), Georgia Campagnale, Isabella Scalzi (Dragana Kljajic 80’), Danielle Colaprico, Katie Naughton

Substitutes – Sarah Willacy (gk)