With a 4-0 demolition of the Newcastle Jets, Sydney FC has clinched the A-League Women championship for the third time in a row.
The Sky Blues needed a victory at Sydney Football Stadium after Western United won earlier on Saturday to ensure they became the first team to win the league’s top spot three years in a row.
For the most part, they battled valiantly against the Jets, but the Sky Blues ultimately won the premiership thanks to two goals each from Matildas winger Cortnee Vine and crucial midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby.
Ante Juric, the coach, exclaimed, “I’m so proud.”
“No one has ever won three championships, and I don’t think we deserve the credit for it. Three championships equal the best defense and attack, and that’s difficult.
“Just five or six losses in those years—never that’s happened before. Because everyone wants to defeat us, it’s difficult.
We highlighted the significant contributions made by women in the sporting world, from grassroots to top levels, both on and off the field.
Despite his team routinely being the best in the tournament for the past three seasons, Juric has unable to win the championship.
On Saturday, they had to work hard; the only shot that Newcastle goalkeeper Georgie Worth could not block from going in was Hawkesby’s first-half goal in the 15th minute.
Sydney FC was unable to play behind the Jets defense due to a wet pitch that also slowed the ball down.
Worth was troubling the Sky Blues, and nothing changed until the goalie was replaced in the 75th minute to allow Clare Coelho, who was retiring, a cameo.
Soon after entering the game, Coelho botched a Hawkesby shot into her net, allowing Juric to finally catch his breath.
We were passing up opportunities, and Juric said that he was worried that they would turn on us and cause us to lose the game.
Vine scored two goals in extra time to seal the Sky Blues’ victory and apply the finishing touches to yet another league triumph.
