<\/p>\n
Sydney FC boss Ante Juric claimed his third straight A-League Women premiership was the most satisfying of his tenure as the Sky Blues finished the regular season with a 4-0 thrashing of the Newcastle Jets.<\/p>\n
After Western United won earlier on Saturday, Juric’s Sky Blues needed a victory at Allianz Stadium to ensure they became the first side to finish top in three straight seasons.<\/p>\n
They huffed and puffed for large parts against a spirited Jets outfit, but braces from influential midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby and Matildas winger Cortnee Vine ensured Sydney wrapped up the premiers’ plate.<\/p>\n
“I’m super proud,” Juric said.<\/p>\n
“No one’s done this – three premierships – I don’t think we get the credit for it, three premierships equals the best defence and attack and that’s hard.<\/p>\n
“Only five or six losses in those years – that’s unheard of – and it’s tough because everyone wants to beat us.”<\/p>\n
Sydney will play Western in a fortnight’s time for a spot in the grand final.<\/p>\n
The championship has eluded Juric over the past three seasons, even though his side has consistently been the strongest in the competition.<\/p>\n
They had to work hard on Saturday with Hawkesby’s 15th minute opener the only shot that Newcastle keeper Georgie Worth couldn’t stop from going in.<\/p>\n
A sodden pitch also slowed the ball and halted Sydney’s ability to play behind the Jets defence.<\/p>\n
Worth was frustrating Sydney and it wasn’t until the goalkeeper was substituted to give the retiring Clare Coelho a cameo in the 75th minute, that the picture changed.<\/p>\n
Coelho fumbled a Hawkesby shot into the back of her net soon after coming on and Juric was finally able to breathe easily.<\/p>\n
“We were missing chances and I did think for a second that they were going to hurt us and we would cop something at the end,” Juric said.<\/p>\n
“I was so relieved – we deserved it after our performance – the football gods have hurt me in the past.<\/p>\n
“I wish it had happened earlier but this is a good thing for the girls to celebrate.”<\/p>\n
With victory wrapped up, the Sky Blues turned on the style with Vine scoring two goals in added time to put the gloss on another premiership victory.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n