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Sydney FC Women Hold Reigning Premiers to Thrilling Draw
Juric Praises Performance Despite Missed Opportunity
Sydney FC Women delivered a commanding display on Sunday afternoon against reigning Premiers Melbourne City, but despite their dominance, they walked away with just one point.
Sky Blues Dominate First Half Against Unbeaten Melbourne City
The first half saw Sydney FC take control, with Melbourne City struggling to escape their defensive half. The Premiers, who had remained unbeaten across seven matches in all competitions, were visibly challenged by the Sky Blues’ intensity.
Head Coach Ante Juric expressed pride in his team’s performance, calling it a display worthy of victory.
“It’s always going to be tough playing the Premiers, but we played exceptionally well. On another day, we would have won,” Juric said.
“If we play like this every week, we’ll be very close to Premiers. The performance and effort were exceptional.”
Slow Starters, Strong Finishers: Juric Dismisses Doubts
The draw comes after a challenging start to the season for Sydney FC, with only three points from their opening three matches. However, Juric dismissed concerns about the team’s form, citing a history of turning slow starts into strong finishes.
“For those who know, we’ve not had a good start for the last five years, and we always end up somewhere near the top. This is no different,” he explained.
“You don’t win Championships in the first three or four rounds. Last year, we were mid-table during the season. It always takes time.”
Hawkesby Shines as Juric Pushes for Matildas Call-Up
Sydney FC’s Mackenzie Hawkesby, who netted the team’s goal, earned special praise from Juric. The coach believes Hawkesby deserves a spot in the Matildas lineup after missing out on the recently announced 34-player squad.
“She is one of the best players in the league,” Juric said. “She would do well in the Matildas if she gets the call-up. She’s got more to give, and I’d love to see her there.”
With injuries affecting some of the players called up, Juric strongly advocated for Hawkesby’s inclusion in the national team.
Next Challenge: Western United on the Horizon
With an international break ahead, Sydney FC will regroup before traveling to Melbourne to face Western United on Sunday, December 8.
