Sydney edge Melbourne City to win women's A-League grand final

English Woman's Journal - Sydney edge Melbourne City to win women's A-League grand final

SPORTS 04.05.2024

Sydney edge Melbourne City to win women's A-League grand final / Photo: Martin KEEP - AFP

American striker Shea Connors scored the only goal as Sydney FC battled past Melbourne City 1-0 to win the women's A-League grand final on Saturday and successfully defend their title.

Change text size:

Playing in a seventh straight final, Sydney lifted the trophy for a fifth time -- the first team to achieve the feat -- on the back of Connors' 69th minute strike at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

"It's so special, it's been such a hard year," said Connors, who has struggled with injury this season. "I'm just so proud that we got here (to the final).

"The way we defended was probably better then the goal itself," she added.

Neither side could break the deadlock in a scrappy first-half, with few genuine chances in front of a disappointing crowd of just 7,671.

It was all City in the second-half with American centre-back Taylor Otto going close from the edge of the box on 62 minutes as they dialed up the pressure.

But against the run of play, Sydney struck seven minutes later after a master-stroke substitution from veteran coach Ante Juric who took off mis-firing striker Princess Ibini.

He replaced her with Connors, who picked up a through ball from 16-year-old Indiana Dos Santos and lifted it past on-rushing goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri just minutes after coming on.

City pressed hard for the equaliser, with two clear-cut chances as the match sprung to life, but Sydney clung on to become the most successful women's side in A-League history.

Australia's then W-League was formed in 2008 with eight clubs, replacing the Women's National Soccer League (WNSL) as Australia's top women's football competition.

It expanded to nine teams in 2015 and has since grown to 12 with the Central Coast Mariners added for the 2023-24 campaign.

That brought it in line with the world's top leagues, including England's Women's Super League and France's Division 1 Feminine.

O.Jonstone--EWJ

Paul George Scores 36 as Celtics Defeat Sixers 123-101 to Take East Lead

The Boston Celtics claimed first place in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday night, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 123-101 at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Paul George led all scorers with 36 points in his return to Philadelphia, while a decisive third-quarter run extended Boston's lead and dropped the Sixers to second place.

Mets President David Stearns Expresses Confidence in Marcus Semien's Motivation

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has identified Marcus Semien’s self-motivation as the primary factor in his potential recovery from an underwhelming debut season. Speaking at the general managers meetings in Las Vegas, Stearns affirmed that the team remains confident in Semien’s ability to improve, even as they evaluate other infield options for next year.

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.