Canberra United’s hopes of playing finals football suffered a huge dent on Saturday afternoon as they were defeated 1-0 at home by Sydney FC, who kept their season alive.
It took until the 78th minute but the deadlock was finally broken; Sydney FC midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby lashing home a superb strike from the edge of the area after she was teed up by teenage star Indiana Dos Santos.
The Sky Blues then believed they should have had a penalty a minute later after Princess Ibini was brought down however the referee signalled for a goal kick rather than a spotkick, with replays showing Ibini was clearly fouled.
Both sides had several chances throughout the 90 minutes but Canberra couldn’t manage a shot on target at McKellar Park as Sydney held on for their third win in four matches.
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For Canberra, the result leaves them seventh on the ladder and a point behind sixth-placed Brisbane Roar who play against Adelaide on Sunday.
Meanwhile Sydney FC kept their faint hopes of playing finals football alive, albeit they sit 10th on the ladder and six points outside the top six with three games left to play.
Looking to take control early on, Canberra went close in the 11th minute but defender Tegan Bertolissio’s header crashed off the upright and away to safety as far as the visiting side were concerned.
Yet to score from a corner this season, the Sky Blues went close in the 22nd minute as Tori Tumeth attempted to convert from close range as the loose ball bobbled around the Canberra six-yard box but the Sydney defender was denied by some last-ditch defending.
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Jordan Thompson then went close for the home side from a corner but the American’s poked effort bounced harmlessly wide of the upright in the 31st minute.
Knowing a loss would officially kill off their slim finals chances Sydney FC boss Ante Juric turned to his bench at the break from raw leaves Canberra on the outside looking in
Having come on at half-time substitute Shea Connors slalomed her way towards the edge of the Canberra box before unleashing a low, left-footed effort which was well saved by Sally James.
Canberra responded in turn and were convinced they had taken the lead in the 64th minute at a corner.
Escaping her marker at the back post, defender Madison Ayson thighed the ball towards goal but her effort was brilliantly stopped on the line by Shay Hollman before the Sydney midfielder then blocked Ayson’s follow-up effort to keep the deadlock intact.
The opener eventually came in the 78th minute though and it was the away side who snatched the lead at McKellar Park.
After Ayson was robbed of the ball inside her own half, teen star Dos Santos galloped towards the box and while she could have pulled the trigger herself, she coolly picked out the arriving Hawkesby who promptly drilled the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the area.
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Having just taken the lead, the Sky Blues then believed they had a stonewall penalty turned down after substitute Princess Ibini was clearly tripped inside the box however referee Rachael Mitchenson was unmoved by the protests.
Canberra huffed and puffed in search of a late equaliser but the Sydney FC rearguard protected their goal until the very end to ensure their season remains alive while Canberra’s hopes of securing a finals spot took a huge dent.
