Sydney FC have come from third on the table to win the W-League championship after a 4-2 victory over the Perth Glory in Sydney.
» Click here for the full match report
Final score
Sydney FC 4
Perth Glory 2
Sydney FC and Perth Glory meet in the W-League Grand Final at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:30pm (AEDT).
The 11th W-League Grand Final brings together the teams that finished third and fourth on the ladder at the end of the home and away season.
Minor premiers Melbourne Victory were demolished in extra-time by a Sam Kerr-inspired Glory last week and the fourth-placed Perth now find themselves in a decider, with the chance to claim their first W-League Championship.
Sydney FC were too strong for the Brisbane Roar, running out 2-1 winners despite some hairy moments towards the end.
It sets up an intriguing matchup between the two teams many felt would be eliminated at the first stage of finals play.
Glory beat the Sky Blues in their only fixture this season, with a hard-fought 2-1 win in the west giving them much confidence leading in to this game.
Sydney also have plenty to be positive about with the return of their inspirational leader Lisa De Vanna from injury boosting the squad.
There will be no surprises in the Glory’s reliance on Kerr up front yet her combination with Rachel Hill is the more dangerous factor that Sydney FC must combat.
Between them, they have contributed 22 goals to the Glory’s 32 goal campaign.
The Sky Blues have managed 30 of their own and both teams scored 28 in the home and away season, making them the two most potent attacking squads in the league.
That sets up the promise of an open and high scoring grand final and one that many pundits see being decided by goals rather than defence.
Caitlin Foord, Chloe Logarzo and Savannah McCaskill will pull the strings for the home side up top; hoping to match the scoring of Kerr and Hill at the other end.
Sydney will be seeking its third title yet the Glory are on something that is beginning to look more and more like a championship winning farewell for Sam Kerr.
Prediction
Eight goals will be scored in this grand final and the Perth Glory will take the win by 5-3 after extra-time.
You heard it here first. This will be the shootout to end all shootouts. I think!
Catch all the action on The Roar, live coverage from 4:30pm (AEDT).
Where: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
When: Saturday 16th February 2019, 4:30pm (AEDT)
TV: SBS Viceland, Fox Sports, My Football app
Betting: Sydney FC $1.80 Draw $3.60 Perth Glory $3.60
Sydney FC
1.Aubrey Bledsoe (Gk), 2.Teresa Polias (C), 3.Shay Evans, 4.Elizabeth Ralston, 5.Ally Green, 6.Chloe Logarzo, 7.Rachael Soutar, 8.Amy Harrison, 9.Caitlin Foord, 10.Savannah Mccaskill, 11.Lisa De Vanna, 14.Alanna Kennedy, 17.Angelique Hristodoulou., 20.Princess Ibini, 21.Julia Vignes, 22.Sofia Huerta, 23.Danielle Colaprico, 30.Trudy Burke (Gk)
Perth Glory
1.Eliza Campbell (Gk), 2.Sarah Carroll, 3.Kim Carroll, 4.Alyssa Mautz , 5.Shannon May, 7.Nicole Stanton, 9.Rachel Hill, 10.Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, 11.Leticia Mckenna , 12.Jenna Onions, 13.Jamie-Lee Gale, 14.Caitlin Doeglas, 15.Alexia Moreno, 17.Liana Cook, 20.Sam Kerr (C), 21.Morgan Aquino (Gk), 24.Natasha Rigby, 25.Katie Naughton
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Sydney FC have come from 3rd on the table to win the W-League championship after a 4-2 victory over the Perth Glory in Sydney. It was a fitting end to a thrilling season and an excellent finals series, that saw 3rd and 4th meet in the decider. Sofia Huerta opened the scoring early for the Sky Blues and the early pattern of play suggested an easy victory for Sydney. However, Sam Kerr levelled from the penalty spot when she was brought down entering the box after 23 minutes. Savannah McCaskill produced a stunning header from a Caitlin Foord pass to send the home side into the sheds with a 2-1 lead, before adding a second goal in the 61st minute and seemingly putting the Sky Blues into a winning position. The westerners responded almost immediately when Alyssa Mautz found the back of Sydney FC's net in the 68th minute from a corner and the match was set for a stunning and nail-biting conclusion with the scores at 3-2 in Sydney's favour. Chloe Logarzo sealed the fate of the visitors with a stunning strike just two minutes later and the Sky Blues shut the game down well in the last 20 minutes to earn the club its third W-League championship. Perth were valiant but no match for Sydney today. McCaskill was a star yet the performance of Alanna Kennedy was astonishing in the centre of defence. Sam Kerr was effectively blunted by the central defence of Sydney. Kerr took to the wings late but the imminent threat she poses in the box was nullified to a significant degree by the work of Kennedy in the heart of defence. It was a terrific and entertaining grand final where the better side won and the game itself enjoyed a victory. It was a record crowd for a W-League decider and the Sydney fans will go home happy. Perth will suffer a long flight home with no silverware. Either way, it was a privilege to watch, commentate and bring to you. McCaskill was awarded the player of the match and even though I felt Kennedy was the most significant on the pitch, no one would begrudge her effort. Well played Sydney FC and commiserations to Perth Glory. Final Score Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the game and I will post the match report in five minutes. Be sure to stick around for some great A-League action tonight. Enjoy the night of football. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Dissapointing. I’m off to the Glory vs Roar game later tonight, don’t think I can enjoy it as more But if Sammy stays, look out next season.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME Sydney FC are the champions of the W-League after what was a cracking match. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+5 De Vanna is caught offside. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Gary
Roar Rookie
Sydney FC just too good for us today. Glory have done well, and played hard all game.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+4 Final minute of action as things get a little scrappy. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+3 Sydney are going to do it. Perth don't look to have another goal in them. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+2 Christodoulou on and McCaskill off for Sydney. What a game she played. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+1 Four minutes of added time here. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90+1′ Moreno earns the ball on the edge of the box but the shot is wide and high.
Sydney FC……………..4
Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' Sydney happy to hack away any Perth attacks now. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
90' The Perth free is played long into the box and Bledsoe cleans up at the back. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
89' Harrison commits the foul late and Sydney are just minutes away from victory here. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
86' Kerr sprints down the right and creates havoc in the box with the cross. Sydney clear. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
84' Again the Sydney defence stands firm. This time it is Harrison. What a great performance from the women at the back today. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
83' De Vanna is scheming on the left but her ball in is poor. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
83' Logarzo leaves the pitch and Harrison comes on. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
82' Chloe is up....thank goodness. I thought that was a break. Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2
Stuart Thomas
Expert
81' Moreno has clattered into Logarzo and that looks like a very badly injured leg. Oh no...... Sydney FC……………..4 Perth Glory…………….2