Sydney threaten but City still come out on top

In a thrilling final game of the regular season, Sydney FC challenged Melbourne City at home in front of a 600 strong crowd. However they fell short to the champions and Melbourne City made history with a 2-1 win, completing an undefeated season.

The expectations for this Melbourne City side have been high from round one, and coming into the last game of the season, things were no different.

There were two major changes to the lineup this week, as Melbourne City were without captain Lisa De Vanna due to a suspected lingering injury and W-League leading scorer Larissa Crummer to suspension for four yellow cards.

For those who wondered if such heavy hitting absences would alter this dominant team’s performance, the answer was both yes, and no. In many respects, this City side played a familiar game of football to what they have in past weeks.

However City did struggle, especially in the first half of play. Where it was Sydney FC that came away with not only the true first attempt at goal, but also the better of the shots in the half.

If not for Bri Davey being incredibly on form throughout this game, Sydney FC very well may have walked away with the three points. From fingertip saves, to taking on Kyah Simon 1-on-1, it was without a doubt Davey’s presence that was the highlight for City.  

Also in spectacular form this game was Jess Fishlock, captaining the squad in De Vanna’s absence. While she sent her best attempts at goal just wide, Fishlock remained the in command presence of the midfield.

A fact that was especially critical in this match where the fluidity of transition from midfield to attacking third was lacking without De Vanna. Fishlock helped bring some of that critical stability back, which was invaluable to breaking down the Sydney FC side.

It never felt like City truly hit their stride, a fact that is reflected in the 2-1 scoreline. With the game winning goal from Marianna Tabain coming late in the second half this felt like a game that City truly had to fight for, a challenge they needed coming into next weeks play-offs.

Sydney came into this game in a unique position, unable to be knocked out of third place, they had the opportunity to really take it to Melbourne City.

This was something that was felt as the team worked to get the first goal of the game. Yet there was frustration abound for Simon, who had multiple, potentially game changing attempts on goal throughout both halves.

Michelle Betos.

Michelle Betos’ performance in goal was also noteworthy, when Melbourne turned up the attack it was Betos who stepped up to make point blank saves at the feet of the City attack.

The question really is, what did Sydney do this week that teams before them have struggled to do? It’s important to remember the absences in the City line up of course, but Sydney deserves their due credit.

The answer to that question is actually simple, the Sydney FC team as a whole stepped up.

In past weeks we’ve seen a smattering of players across a team play well, but City has always monopolised on the weaknesses. Sydney presented a squad that challenged Melbourne City in a way that was rarely seen this season.

Both teams will be playing in the Semi Final play-offs this coming weekend.

Match Details