Summary
Well, no wins in the derby for now more than four years for the Wanderers. But they showed better perhaps then the 3-0 final scoreline indicates.
Sydney FC’s Matildas-laden front line proved too strong, Foord-Logarzo-De Vanna in terrifying form, showing their international understanding at club level.
Some star turns from some of the new faces, the US duo Savannah McCaskill and Lo’eau Labonta in particular looked great additions to the league for their respective sides.
Labonta’s rocket that bounced back off the post was a highlight, and perhaps a sign it wasn’t quite going to be the Wanderers’ evening.
Plenty more to come from this Wanderers side, you’d imagine. Too much experience between Uzunlar, Ledbrook, Cooper and co, you’d imagine across a full season. Plenty of heart, plenty of hunger, they’ll ruffle some feathers this season.
Thanks for your company tonight – a pretty high-quality and exciting opener to W-League 2018/19!
Full-time: Western Sydney Wanderers 0-3 Sydney FC
90 + 5 min: And there’s the final whistle. The Sydney FC dominance of the derby continues, and in the end it’s quite emphatic, at least on the scoreboard.
A fine showing from the Sky Blues, and they’re up and running in Season 11.
Updated
90 + 2 min: We’ve got five added minutes. A few bodies out there showing a touch of off-season fitness. It’s been a high-quality game, otherwise.
Logarzo is all running though. Before Ledbrook appeals, half in hope, for a penalty at the other end. No dice.
90 min: They continue to press, the Wanderers. You can’t fault them for effort, the home side.
Two of the subs combine now for Sydney, as Green looks to get round Yeoman-Dale. She earns a corner.
Now a counter, but Khamis can’t pick out Siemsen. Halloway looks to get on the end of it, but the left back, now shifted to left wing, can’t get a clean finish.
88 min: Tricky one for Bledsoe, who comes to claim a long ball, and almost sees it spill after a tricky bounce. Khamis lurking with intent, but the ‘keeper trapped the ball well between her thighs.
86 min: Siemsen continues to work hard, and wins her team a throw in. Khamis then tries a speculative effort, and Bledsoe has to scramble to get back to tip it over the crossbar!
A terrific long range curling effort, and a huge save from the Sydney FC custodian!
84 min: Terrific flick from Labonta, she’s worked incredibly hard for the Wanderers tonight, but again the Sydney defence intercepts well.
Parker with a tough tackle on Halloway, who gets to her feet gingerly.
And Jarvie makes way for Talitha Kramer, for the Wanderers.
82 min: Wanderers look to switch the play, but it’s hit into touch.
And another W-League debut, for 15-year-old Darcey Malone! How’s that. On in the derby! Colaprico makes way – a decent outing for the American.
79 min: Colaprico in the book for slowing the play. Sheesh. Harsh one there on the import, perhaps.
Meanwhile, it’s Siemsen on the attack, she picks out her co-striker Khamis, but it’s well defended from Tobin. Crucial intervention from the Sydney back.
And De Vanna’s night is over – a W-League debut for Ally Green. What a memory, subbing on for one of the all-time greats of the women’s game! You’d tell your kids/grandkids about that, almost certainly.
Goal! Western Sydney Wanderers 0-3 Sydney FC (Foord)
76 min: Ole! And I know we’re a long way from France and the Women’s World Cup next June, but if you’re one of the rival squads watching tonight you’d be worried about how De Vanna-Logarzo-Foord are combining.
Terrific work from De Vanna, she spins Miramontez and rolls an unselfish ball across the face, and who’s there at the far post for an easy tap-in? Caitlin Foord.
Terrific assist, De Vanna. She’s ageless!
74 min: Miramontez concedes another freekick on Logarzo, she’s cut a forlorn figure tonight, the US centre half. She’s had a torrid time trying to look after Foord, McCaskill et al.
It’s whipped in and it’s the unlikely frame of Soutar sneaking in at the far post, but she can only ‘thigh’ it wide. Half-chance there.
72 min: A nice chat sideline with Amy Harrison, who’s pretty chipper about her recovery from a nasty ACL injury. Could be an outside chance as a bolter for the Matildas in France if she can get herself back on the pitch and up to pace.
70 min: And it’s woodwork at both ends!
Matildas roommates De Vanna and Logarzo combine again – it’s a terrific cross in, and Logarzo rises well for the header. She beats Whyman well, but it thumps back off the crossbar!
67 min: First sub of the night, and McCaskill makes way for Bryany Parker, who makes her W-League debut.
Labonta leaves it behind and Colaprico looks to charge, but the pass goes astray.
Wanderers go on the attack and it’s a hammer-strike from Labonta! It whistles past Bledsoe between the sticks, but it clatters off the upright!
What a hit, from Labonta – shades of Katrina Gorry, there, that’s how fast that ball was moving! Very unlucky.
65 min: Ooph! A terrific lofted ball in from Uzunlar looking for Khamis, but it just spins agonising away towards goal at the last moment, and the striker can only get a scuffed toe to the finish. Close, Wanderers.
63 min: Uzunlar with a chance to burst in transition, with Polias out of position – but her strikers ahead have run offside, and the final ball sees the flag raised. A disappointing ending to a promising chance for the home side.
61 min: Trouble once more for the Wanderers, as FC stand over a freekick from just outside the box. Cooper goes in the book, for a possible handball – the centre half isn’t too happy about it.
They fire in a sharp effort, Sydney, but Whyman is down well to save, and holds the ball.
Goal! Western Sydney Wanderers 0-2 Sydney FC (Logarzo)
58 min: De Vanna looks to stand up Yeoman-Dale but the former Jets fullback wins this battle this time. The clearance is only as far as midfield, and Logarzo charges on to it.
She hits a venomous effort from 25m out, that whips and bends wickedly – Whyman looks to get across, but she doesn’t get much of a hand on it, and it sneaks into the bottom corner.
What a strike, Logarzo!
55 min: Foord does well to hold the ball up, back to goal, to spark a nice move. Huerta with another wicked ball in, and Halloway’s attempted clearance sees the ball just drop; but they scramble clean!
Meanwhile, a fine flick on from Remy Siemsen, and she receives the one-two back from Labonta, and fires a shot on target.
53 min: Labonta in hard on Polias, and she goes into the book for a tackle from behind.
A word from the coach perhaps, to target Sydney’s No 6, to stop the moves originating at the source?
And now Ledbrook finally earns herself a yellow. She’s been fierce in the tackle tonight.
50 min: Ledbrook looks to spark something, but Sydney cut out the forward pass.
McCaskill picks out Foord once again, and she snaps a first-time effort – but it’s just past the far post!
A warning sign, they can’t afford to leave Foord open too many times.
47 min: And now it’s Sydney FC with a great chance! Logarzo finds herself open down the left, with space to pick a ball. She looks far, but Foord races near at the last second. The ball fizzes dangerous though the corridor of uncertainty, Whyman relieved to watch it wide.
Miramontez now blocks a shot from De Vanna. And right away, we’re up the other end as Yeoman-Dale finds Khamis in the middle – she swivels, but scoops the shot wide!
It’s been a high octane start to this second half, already.
Second half!
45 min: And we’re back, and almost a lightning start for the Wanderers!
Labonta making good ground down the left wing, and she fires a ball in for Siemsen, who lofts just over! Big chance there, but the flag has gone for offside anyway.
A bright start from the hosts.
And big news from the NRL off-season. There’s been a fair bit of chatter about where Wayne Bennett may or may not be heading. I guess now we know:
So, your assessment of that first 45?
Signs of optimism for Wanderers coach Dan Barrett, despite his side going in down a goal? And what will his opposite number Ante Juric look to address in his half-time words?
Half-time: Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Sydney FC
45 +1 min: Khamis with a speculative effort from a long way out, but it shanks wide. She’s Sydney FC’s all-time topscorer, the veteran, and she looks to get one back right in the shadow of the break.
And that’s all for the opening stanza.
Updated
44 min: Uzunlar looks to spark something as she picks Polias’ pocket, by Tobin is across well to snuff out the danger.
They’re finishing well, the Wanderers. Two minutes added on, signals the fourth official.
42 min: Ooph, that’s well hit by Labonta! But her compatriot Bledsoe gets behind it well and saves comfortably in the end.
That had some venom on it. And for all they’ve been opened up so far, the Wanderers, they’re still just one quality moment away from parity here.
40 min: De Vanna now with a curling freekick, but it’s lofted just too high and beyond Whyman’s far post.
Now she harries the Wanderers left back, Halloway, but the Dubbo-born veteran wins that battle.
Colaprico now gives away a freekick, but it’s quite a far way out. Surely not Ledbrook territory?
38 min: Ooh, another chance, De Vanna!
Sydney on a fast break, she taps it round the outrushing ‘keeper, but the touch is slightly too heavy and into touch! Big let off, but great work from Whyman to force the error.
This is the risk for Wanderers – the more they push for an equaliser, the more they’ll leave themselves open at the back.
36 min: It’s a decent ball in, well lofted, but again it’s a Sky Blue head on it.
Now they look to break again Sydney, and it’s Cooper only just intercepting ahead of McCaskill.
34 min: And it’s Polias also in the book, as she goes in late on Labonta. She’ll have to watch her step over the next hour, the defensive midfielder.
It’s a freekick from distance, which Ledbrook looks to line up. She dinks into the mix, but the FC backline defend well.
A corner to Wanderers now, as Yeoman-Dale tries to get round Huerta. What can Uzunlar find with the delivery?
32 min: And confirmation of that earlier stat, with her 117th appearance tonight, Sydney’s skipper Polias does go past Marianna Tabain as the W-League’s all-time top appearance maker.
Meanwhile, the first yellow of the evening as Jarvie goes in the book for a foul on De Vanna.
30 min: Save! McCaskill again driving forward and lays off a perfect ball out to De Vanna. The Matildas all-time leading goalscorer opens up and looks to curl it home, but a fingertip save from Whyman denies her! Huge save.
27 min: Huerta takes a freekick but it’s overhit and well claimed by Whyman, who looks for the quick release.
Decent crowd in at Marconi tonight, great to see the fans of Western Sydney embracing this Thursday night opening fixture.
24 min: A coming together between Logarzo and the ‘keeper Whyman – they appeal for a penalty, do the Sydney players, but there’s nothing given.
Both going for the ball, arguably the right call there.
And now the linesman’s flag rescues the Wanderers. They’re definitely looking lethal in the front third, the Sky Blues, opening up the Western Sydney backline almost at will.
21 min: A freekick comes in for the Wanderers, but it’s well defended at the back. FC now happy to pass it round the back, but Cooper strides in to intercept as soon as they head upfield.
19 min: So it’s first blood, Sydney FC. They’ve looked the more cohesive over the early exchanges.
Labonta looks to spark something, but she’s stopped in her tracks (literally) by the shoulder of Huerta. Foord, McCaskill and Polias look to combine, but she’s overhit that final ball slightly, the captain.
17 min: Uzunlar penalised for a coming together with De Vanna. Former Matildas and FC teammates there.
Your public service reminder that there’s no VAR in the W-League, so if that’s the bane of your existence as an Australian football fan, feel free to get down to your local ground to support women’s football instead this season.
15 min: McCaskill looks for another throughball for Foord. Sheesh, what a dangerous combo that could prove this season – she opens up the Wanderers backline, but this time the Matildas doesn’t read the play.
It’s quite open, this game so far. Hopefully set for a highscoring one, rather than than the cagey contest derbies, especially Round 1 derbies, can often be.
13 min: And almost an immediate response from Labonta for the Wanderers – but she’s lofted it over!
Maybe a bobble on the pitch? She didn’t hit that one cleanly, the American midfielder.
Goal! Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Sydney FC (Foord)
12 min: A misunderstanding at the back, as Cooper hesitates to shut down a loose ball. McCaskill swoops first, and feeds a perfect ball through for Foord.
She calmly rounds Whyman, and rolls it home. First goal of the season, Caitlin Foord!
Updated
9 min: Header! Huerta whips in a great ball from left back, she picks out Foord centrally, but it’s straight at Whyman. The whistle blows for offside anyway.
We’ve seen her centrally in the past (at Adelaide, from memory?) but she’s looking to force herself into Jill Ellis’s USA team as a fullback, so lines up there for Sydney.
7 min: A nervy pass from Yeoman-Dale almost puts the Wanderers defence under pressure, but the experienced Cooper steps in to clear.
McCaskill now looks to get round her opponent. Nice drop of the shoulder, and she’s earned a corner. She’s got the No 10 jersey on her back, so she’s clearly impressed/pulled rank on some of her teammates already.
5 min: First shot in anger! The import Miramontez turned over possession cheaply, and Sydney FC broke quickly. It’s De Vanna on the end of it ... and she fires a vicious effort just to the left of Whyman’s post!
3 min: First touch for Foord as she drops to receive a pass from Logarzo. A good tempo to this one already.
An early prediction here, from regular Phil Withall. Ooph. Doesn’t fancy the Wanderers rebuild it seems!
@rrjparkin I have to admit, much as it pains me, that Sydney FC have so much quality up front a 4-0 scoreline is highly probable.
— phil withall (@phil_withall) October 25, 2018
Kick-off!
1 min: The Wanderers start but they’re penalised for an early foul. They press well to win back possession – and we’ve started with the cut and thrust you’d expect from a derby as Ledbrook upends Logarzo.
And a fun fact – your rival captains tonight are basically best mates. Teresa “T” Polias will face close buddy Servet Uzunlar, who’s back from a spell out of the game to lead out the Wanderers. Polias, I believe, could also become the most-capped W-League player tonight. I’ll see if I can dig those stats out somewhere.
And the two embrace before they head out on to the field. Kick-off not too far away!
Updated
So, your predictions for this one? Where will it won or lost; who could prove an X-factor for either side; and who will settle the nerves first and get on top?
To join our coverage fire us an email or tweet at @rrjparkin.
Correct predictions and bragging rights are forever.
I’ll start. As much as I’d love to see the Wanderers get up, I can’t go past that front six for Sydney: 3-2 to the Sky Blues.
If you don’t know much about McCaskill, you’re not alone. She was only announced today, but she’s capped for USA, so no slouch. As if a front line of De Vanna and Foord needed bolstering.
Team news:
International duty has ravaged both squads with seven players away (four Sydney, three Wanderers) with the Young Matildas. Five of them were on the scoresheet in an emphatic 18-0 victory over Mongolia yesterday, with Princess Ibini helping herself to five goals. Watch out Archie Thompson.
So a few young faces on the respective benches, looking to put their name in lights.
No Alanna Kennedy or Amy Harrison, not quite ready from off-season injury/surgery.
Western Sydney Wanderers:
Whyman (GK); Yeoman-Dale, Miramontez, Cooper, Halloway; Uzunlar (c), Jarvie, Ledbrook; LaBonta, Siemsen, Khamis
Subs: Simonsen (GK), Kramer, Hawkesby, Danaskos
Sydney FC:
Bledsoe (GK), Hristodoulou, Soutar, Tobin, Huerta; Polias (c), Colaprico, Logarzo; McCaskill, De Vanna, Foord
Subs: Burke (GK), Green, Parker, Malone
Hi! A warm welcome to you, from wherever you’re following today’s opener.
Just quietly, I’m a little bit looking forward to this one; you can scour the off-season ins and outs, read up on the NWSL form of the star imports etc, but often until you’ve seen them hit the paddock you never quite know how these teams will roll out.
Before we get into tonight’s team news, take a gander at our Guardian Australia season preview. Ella Reilly with a very handy overview:
Preamble
It seems every season of the W-League there’s a new first, a new breakthrough, a new hint of progress. The rumoured $300,000 marquee signing of Sam Kerr is a massive sign of where the women’s game is heading, and while she’s been an ever-present over the first decade of the competition, in fighting off both Chelsea and Barcelona for her signature FFA have put significant resources behind the usual rhetoric of growing the game.
We open with a Sydney derby – not a bad old way to start the season, as Western Sydney Wanderers play host to their crosstown rivals, from Marconi stadium, one of the grand old grounds of the NSL.
Wanderers finished 8th last season, but weren’t a million miles off the pace, and they’ve recruited strongly, not least of all former Sydney FC coach Dan Barrett. Former Sky Blues Servet Uzunlar and Caitlin Cooper bring a wealth of experience to an historically young squad, with Georgia Yeoman-Dale and Leena Khamis also heading west and offering plenty of W-League smarts, with around 170 games experience between them.
For Sydney FC, it might be a season of looking over their shoulder – with plenty of teams considerably stronger this campaign and perhaps fancying themselves against last year’s beaten grand finalists. The return of Alanna Kennedy is a massive in for the Sky Blues, who retain top Matildas talent in Lisa de Vanna, Caitlin Foord, Chloe Logarzo and a (hopefully) fit-again Amy Harrison after a horror run of injuries.
We’ll have live action here shortly, so start prepping your best insights, predictions and general musings to join the conversation. W-League 2018/19. Right here. Soon!
