Melbourne City secured a thrilling late win over Sydney FC on Saturday night, with Bryleeh Henry netting the decisive goal in the 89th minute.
A defensive mishap gifted the visitors an early lead, but Mariana Speckmaier’s stunning strike just 24 seconds into the second half set the stage for City’s late heroics.
Team News
With City coming off back-to-back wins, Head Coach Michael Matricciani saw little need to make changes, opting for just one tweak to his starting XI.
Holly McNamara returned to the lineup after being used as an impact sub last match, pushing Henry to the bench.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 5. Taylor OTTO, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 14. Laura HUGHES, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 9. Holly McNAMARA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 12. Shelby McMAHON, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 29. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC.
What happened?
Despite City making the stronger start, a mix-up between Laura Hughes and Malena Mieres saw Mackenzie Hawkesby pounce in the 13th minute to hand Sydney the lead against the run of play.
City continued to dominate possession, with the ever-reliable Taylor Otto and Rebekah Stott proving rock-solid at the back.
In the 39th minute, Rhianna Pollicina had City’s best chance of the half, unleashing a powerful half-volley in the pouring rain, only for the Sydney goalkeeper to pull off a superb save.
It took just 24 seconds into the second half for City to hit back spectacularly. Speckmaier picked up the ball inside her own half, drove forward to the edge of the box, and unleashed a rocket into the back of the net to level the scores.
City pushed hard for a winner, with McKenna going close on multiple occasions, while at the other end, Mieres produced a strong diving save in the 80th minute to deny Amber Luchtmeijer.
Then, in the 89th minute, City finally found the breakthrough.
A brilliant defence-splitting pass from McKenna set Bosch free in midfield, and after taking a touch, she laid it off perfectly for Henry, who calmly slotted home the winner to secure all three points.
What’s next?
City now heads into a well-earned break due to the international window, before returning to action away to Canberra United on Saturday 1 March.
