A-League Women Grand Final: Shea Connors strike leads Sydney FC to win over Melbourne City
Shea Connors was the ultimate super-sub as her late strike sealed an A-League Women’s championship for Sydney FC in a 1-0 win against Melbourne City. Find out how it happened inside.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Shea Connors might have put the ball in the net but credit for Sydney’s back to back A-League Women’s grand final wins has to go to coach Ante Juric.
Sydney’s 1-0 win - put a stop to Melbourne City’s undefeated grand final track record and it is the first time the NSW outfit have beaten City after three previous grand final meetings.
Juric, coaching Sydney FC to their seventh straight grand final - made the decision to bring on Connors, taking off captain Princess Ibini-Isei in the 67th minute.
Connors scored just two minutes later.
Before the masterful substitution Melbourne City had been well in control - dominating possession and putting Sydney’s formidable defence under immense pressure.
Connors only made the move to the Sky Blues this season after several years with Brisbane Roar.
The 28-year-old hadn’t scored for Sydney FC all season - the grand final goal possibly the most important of her career.
“It’s so special, thought I was going to have a heart attack on the field after I scored, it couldn’t have come at a better moment,” Connors said.
With that ball in the back of the net Sydney amped up their defence, while City tried desperately to claw their way back into the game.
But it wasn’t something Sydney were likely to do - having not lost a game once all season after scoring first. In fact Sydney are the only team in the league’s history to win a grand final after going down a goal - all the way back in 2009.
The opening five minutes of the game were intense.
With Sydney FC flying towards the goal forcing Melissa Barbieri to make an exceptional save.
City were quick to show what they could do firing back at Sky Blue’s keeper Jada Whyman.
After both teams settled and found their rhythm City took possession of the ball - finishing the half with 66 per cent of the ball.
It was a true midfield battle with neither team really spending much time in their final third.
City defender Julia Grosso made life hard for winger Cortnee Vine - really limiting her chances to have an impact in the first half.
Young Footballer of the Year Daniela Galic seemed to be stuck to the ball - determined to help her side score the opening goal. She just couldn’t quite break through the tough Sydney defence.
The sides couldn’t be separated after the opening 45 minutes - going into the half time break with the scores locked at 0-0.
It was a fiery start to the second half with both teams close to getting shots off in the opening minutes.
City’s Emina Ekic found some freedom, able to play an increased playmaker role but struggled to get a shot at the net.
Frustrations started to show from both sides with Vine dropping to defend in a bid to simply get the ball at her feet - while City captain and centre back Rebkeah Stott took matters into her own feet - making a daring run from the backline to the 18-yard-box.
But still the scores remained deadlocked with just 30 minutes left on the clock in regular time.
Sydney FC coach Ante Juric turned to the bench, taking Margaux Chauvet, who had played a key role for the Sky Blues,off for Talyor Ray, back this season after her third ACL tear.
Juric turned to the bench again seven minutes later, swapping captain Ibini-Isei for Connors - a move that paid off immediately with Connors scoring off the back off a brilliant pass from teen prodigy Indiana dos Santos, minutes later - putting Sydney FC in the lead with just over 20 minutes to play.
City ended up with a golden chance with just eight minutes left on the clock but weren’t able to capitalise with a deflection off Shay Hollman sending the ball over the crossbar.
Whyman, who has kept 10 clean sheets this season, kept Sydney in the game with a brilliant save as City ramped up their attacking efforts.
Sydney FC were happy to defend for the final minutes - absorbing everything City threw at them.
Questions were asked where the referees found the nine extra minutes tacked on, with the match only paused briefly during the half.
Credit to City, their all out attack plan didn’t falter despite their tired legs - but it was just too little too late against a well disciplined Sydney FC.
STAR TREATMENT
The final was broadcast on 10Bold, as well as the streaming channels and it was given top quality treatment - a huge change to the coverage given during the regular season.
It was on the back of 159,000 fans turning in around the country to watch the Central Coast Mariners vs Sydney semi-final two weeks ago - which was given a spot on 10 Bold when the men’s clash was postponed.
Fans were treated to a 45 minute pre-show complete with pre-recorded player interviews, expert opinions, statistics and interviews with players who were microphones while warming up.
At half time there were more expert comments, statistics and analysis.
Without a funding boost for the APL it is hard to see women’s games being given this treatment regularly next season - but fans can only dream.
More Coverage
Originally published as A-League Women Grand Final: Shea Connors strike leads Sydney FC to win over Melbourne City
‘Unacceptable in 2024’: Chelsea condemn homophobic Kerr abuse
Homophobic comments levelled at Matildas legend Sam Kerr over her baby announcement have been condemned by the superstar’s Premier League club.
‘Unacceptable’: Chelsea shocked by Kerr twist
Sam Kerr’s club have taken aim at social media trolls after her baby announcement was overshadowed in ugly scenes.