<\/p>\n
Sydney FC are one win away from claiming the A-League Women premiership-championship double after beating Melbourne Victory 1-0 to reach the grand final against Western United.<\/p>\n
The Sky Blues earned some revenge for their past two grand final defeats by ending Victory’s hopes of a championship three-peat, reaching their sixth consecutive decider via Madison Haley’s poached goal in the 89th minute of Saturday’s preliminary final.<\/p>\n
Ante Juric’s side will face United, who defeated them 1-0 in the semi-final, at CommBank Stadium next Sunday, eyeing their first championship since 2018-19.<\/p>\n
Sydney have lost four of the past five grand finals.<\/p>\n
“I did say that we’ve still got one more to go,” Juric said.<\/p>\n
“Look I’m proud of what we’ve done because I know everyone says a lot about that in terms of grand final (losses) so I just want to put that to bed because they (the players) deserve more.<\/p>\n
“I’m not really fussed with myself I can handle all that but they deserve another grand final win.”<\/p>\n
Sydney’s win at Allianz Stadium also spares the Australian Professional Leagues’ blushes, as a Victory win would have meant an all-Melbourne grand final controversially held in NSW.<\/p>\n
Victory, coming off 120 minutes and penalties against Melbourne City, were stoic defensively until they were brought undone when their defence switched off and Haley pounced on Casey Dumont’s spilled save.<\/p>\n
Dumont was otherwise excellent, making six saves.<\/p>\n
Sydney had 25 shots to Victory’s four, with Cortnee Vine and Haley constant threats, while Tobin and Charlotte Mclean shut down star striker Melina Ayres.<\/p>\n
With Amy Jackson suspended, Victory coach Jeff Hopkins moved Natalie Tathem into defensive midfield, shifted attacker Beattie Goad to left-back and called upon 17-year-old winger Ava Briedis.<\/p>\n
After a cagey opening 25 minutes, Sydney started to crank up the heat and seize control of the contest.<\/p>\n
Dumont made a huge save to deny Rachel Lowe in the 29th minute and batted away a Princess Ibini strike two minutes later.<\/p>\n
Victory didn’t record a shot in the opening half while Sydney had 11 but just two on target.<\/p>\n
Hopkins’ outfit came out of halftime with greater intent but Sydney continued to pepper Victory’s goal.<\/p>\n
Dumont stood tall again to deny Haley in the 61st minute while the American nicked a volley just wide of the post in the 68th minute.<\/p>\n
Sydney broke through when Tobin surged forward and created chaos in Victory’s penalty box.<\/p>\n
When Dumont dived forward to claim Sarah Hunter’s long-range shot, she let the ball slip and Haley reacted quickest to tap home.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got to hold our hand up and say Sydney were the better team today,” Victory coach Jeff Hopkins said.<\/p>\n
“But for me, I’m so proud of the way that we went about our job today and we never gave up.<\/p>\n
“To lose the game to a goal like that, a real scrappy goal, was a bit disappointing. But that’s the way it is.”<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n