'Be a provider, as well as a goal scorer': What Sydney Derby hero Siemsen can do to be in a 'really good position' for WWC selection

Despite being down to ten for much of the game, Sydney FC have claimed early season bragging rights over Western Sydney Wanderers, thanks to a cracking late goal from Remy Siemsen.

The Sky Blues went down a player after captain Natalie Tobin was sent off just before half-time, but Ante Juric’s side were able to still grind out a result, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Siemsen against her former side.

Siemsen’s goal takes her equal with fellow Matildas striker Caitlin Foord as the top Derby goalscorer with six.

But Siemsen – who just returned to Sydney after a stint at Swedish side AIK – finds herself in among a logjam of attacking options who are all vying for a spot in Australia’s FIFA Women’s World Cup squad next year.

The 23-year-old was last called up for the October friendlies with South Africa and Denmark but was left out of the most recent squad for the clashes against Sweden and Thailand.

However, goals and performances like that throughout this Liberty A-League season, will ensure she stays on Tony Gustavsson’s radar heading into July next year.

“I think it’s more about the performances,” Network 10 football expert Grace Gill said on Dub Zone regarding what will help Siemsen’s case for selection.

“So obviously the goals help but if you have a player who scores one or two, but is providing, who is connecting, who is playing impactful football every single time they step on the field, you make it really tough for a coach to leave you out of the squad.

“The goals will help that case but I think for Remy, if she can be a provider as well as a goal scorer then that’s going to put her in a really good position going into next year’s World Cup.”

‘There is a level of continuity’: Dario continues solid start in charge of City

Meanwhile at Casey Fields, Melbourne City cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Brisbane Roar, to make it two wins from two to start the season.

Fresh off the bye, City were dominant from the off, as goals from Bryleeh Henry, Maria Jose Rojas and Emina Ekic either side of half-time were more than enough for the home side to get the job done.

The result also further solidifies themselves as one of the Liberty A-League’s top sides to start the season, continuing an impressive start to the campaign under interim coach Dario Vidosic.

“I think Dario has been around the set-up long enough that there is that level of continuity there,” Gill said on Dub Zone.

“It doesn’t feel too disruptive to the side or certainly they’re not performing in such a way.”

Gill also believes a week off can go in “two ways” for sides as it can stifle momentum, but she thought it in fact “worked well” for City who looked the fresher of the two sides.

“You can lose that momentum that they’ve created for themselves in that first fixture against (Wellington) Phoenix or it can sort of go into a bit of a slump or push them in the other direction,” Gill said.

“And I think what we saw today was fresh legs, energy, creativity and I think that for whatever reason the break for City worked well.”

‘He’s a competitor… He’ll be frustrated with that’: Perth’s unable to arrest winless start

Over in the Hunter, Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory couldn’t be separated in a highly entertaining 2-2 draw between two of the competition’s most exciting outfits.

Perth twice had the lead, but were wrestled back on both occasions with a late goal from substitute Ashlee Brodigan enough to ensure the home side came away with a point.

However, it means Perth’s wait for a first win of the campaign will stretch for another week, with Alex Epakis’ side only taking home two points from a possible nine to kick-off the campaign.

“Not good at all,” Gill said when asked by commentator Teo Pellizzeri about how Epakis would be taking the stalemate

“I think Alex Epakis, he’s a competitor. He’s a real strategist in how he does things. He’ll be frustrated with that and I think he would have wanted to, like any coach, take three points from today.

“But he would have wanted a lot more from this afternoon’s result than what he got in the end.”

Glory will host champions Melbourne Victory next weekend, in what could be a battle of two of the league’s winless sides, should the latter not defeat Wellington Phoenix on Sunday afternoon at 4 PM (AEDT).

Follow along LIVE as KEEPUP brings you all the goals, highlights, up to date scores and biggest talking points from the Liberty A-League on Saturday afternoon.