Late goals capped off a weekend of drama as the Liberty A-League finals got underway, writes Angela Christian Wilkes.
The results
If finals equal drama, then the first two instalments of an expanded play-off series have left us desperate for the next episodes. Already, the three-part finals series is proving its weight in gold after two blockbuster matches – each unpredictable in different ways, and setting the scene for two more epic contests.
The tone was set in the Friday night special between premiers Sydney FC and Melbourne City. Each side came in with a win and a loss over the other. Notably, City were the only team to have successfully exploited the chinks in Sydney’s armour and steal three points this season. They looked set to do it again with Hannah Wilkinson’s brace putting the 2-0 up with just over half an hour to go.
The first goal was derived from an uncharacteristic defensive error from Sydney captain Nat Tobin, Wilkinson using her trademark ruthlessness to capitalise; the second a deceptively difficult conversion on the end of Leticia McKenna’s ball. The game, however, unravelled as Sydney FC equalised at the death, sending the game into extra time to win 4-2.
Sunday’s game, while a little less chaotic with gameplay, was unexpected when it came to outcome. Same as the Friday night catch-up, each had a win and a loss over the other, produced in remarkably different points of their trajectory’s. Victory stunned Adelaide in Round One; Adelaide reformed and smashed a battle-weary Victory 3-0 at the other end of the season. After just scraping into finals, Victory smashed widespread (low) expectations, winning 2-1 at Coopers Stadium in regular time.
The key moments
The pivotal points in any game include both dazzling heights, as well as defining lows. It’s the latter that will shape City’s future chances in next week’s preliminary final after Melissa Barbieri and Tyla-Jay Vlajnic were given red cards. Vlajnic’s occurred in the 88th minute, felling Cortnee Vine on her run through. The red card literally added insult to injury, as Vlajnic hobbled off the field of play with a hurt ankle. Playing with 10 incontrovertibly shifted the complexion of the game, Maria Cote Rojas’ jammy equaliser committing City to a gruelling period of extra time. It’s no surprise that Sydney emerged on top, with further goals from Vine and Sarah Hunter.
Vlajncic’s absence strips away at an already-depleted City attack, however their second red card will be even trickier to patch over. Fatigue and frustration won out as Melissa Barbieri was sent off in the final five minutes of extra time for a handball. Her understudy Sally James was originally slated to be their number one this year but came into the campaign with a broken thumb. Barbieri’s performance in the interim moved her from back-up to first choice – a stalwart who quickly attested to having some of the safest hands in the competition. While a few young keepers have forged reputations in difficult circumstances this season – Chloe Lincoln at Canberra United, Isabella Shuttleworth at Brisbane Roar – they took time to build into form. The pressure James faces in stepping up and performing well after playing 20 minutes this season is unenviable.
A defensive miscommunication in the early moments of Adelaide v Victory could have veered the game in a different direction had Adelaide converted. Dylan Holmes swept in to intercept the ball from Courtney Nevin, but in her hesitancy to shoot gave Casey Dumont time to make the last ditch save. Other key moments in Sunday’s match-up were less pronounced in the end-to-end game; more an accumulation of sound decisions, well-timed tackles and astute passes, that collectively made up a comprehensive defensive effort for Victory. They stifled Adelaide’s ability to attack on the run, where they are most dangerous. This left the likes of Chelsie Dawber and Shadeene Evans to try to take their chances from range.
Adelaide’s goal came from a deadball taken by Nanako Sasaki – the most stunning of the weekend which is no easy feat given the choices available. The free kick equaliser soared powerfully around the players gathered at the edge of the box and over an unsuspecting Dumont, the net itself seeming to ripple with applause.
The gamechangers
It would be easy to slip into a shopping list of standout performers. However, for Sydney FC, one name arguably changed the game: Cortnee Vine. Immediately after coming on, Vine’s focused energy opened up the right-hand flank and shifted the momentum. In the 78th minute, left back Ally Green scooped in a delicious cross from the goal line, with Vine cruising quietly, shark-like, into the box and converting with a lethal header to make it 2-1. She continued to pile on the pressure, sending a shot off the crossbar as well threatening on a run that resulted in a red card for City. It was also Vine who put Sydney ahead in extra time.
While there’s no debating Vine’s talent, as has been highlighted in our Liberty A-League Lessons before Sydney FC are blessed with squad depth. Without being able to come on for Paige Satchell – who penned Sydney’s name on the premiership last week – it’s hard to imagine Vine impacting the game with the same intensity, especially as she is currently nursing a slight injury. Sydney have the option to throw everything on the field, comfortable in the knowledge there’s the quality on the bench – something Victory and City can’t claim to the same degree.
A 23-year-old was also the point of difference for Victory – although she has experienced an entirely different season to Vine. Victory’s 2020/2021 golden boot winner Melina Ayres has, up until last week, been out with a hamstring injury. And while we will never know what could have been had she not been injured, Ayres showed she can make it count when it matters (perhaps her absence so far making her a secret weapon of sorts). In her second game back and her first start of the season, she put Victory ahead with a coolly placed volley in the 57th minute.
Her assistant, Lia Privitelli, was essential in the win, converting sharply on the end of a Catherine Zimmerman’s pinpoint pass before assisting on Ayres’ goal. She is Victory’s very own chameleon; a team player and natural leader whose versatility can stitch together a starting 11 and bolster a bench. Her name at the centre of the win is a poetic nod to both her role in this Victory side as well as to her individual development as a player.
Farewell to…
Expecting the unexpected will be a take-home message for Adelaide United, who bow out of their first ever finals series. The primary question that has followed them was whether they could get into the top four – but less was asked about what damage they could do once there.
While the fallout will sit heavily for club and fans, there is the sense this is only the beginning for Adelaide – one dip in a longer, more illustrious narrative arc. Look to their opponents, Victory. In their current Hopkin era, it took two bouts of semi-final heartbreak before they could secure a ticket to the big dance.
Similarly, the Reds aren’t dark horses anymore and finals aren’t a pipedream. Now, with this learning experience under their belt, Adrian Stenta’s side are set to be even more formidable. Adelaide will be back.
What happens next?
On Sunday Melbourne City will have a second chance as they host cross-town rivals Victory at AAMI Park (4.05pm KO AEST). Both will no doubt be seeking to knock the result out of the way early, with City bringing an extra 30 minutes in their legs plus the aforementioned exclusions. Victory will be adding to their arsenal with Kyra Cooney-Cross returning after sitting out the Adelaide win due to accumulated yellows.
The head-to-head record this season is once more a loss and a win each; long-term, City have won 8 games head-to-head to Victory’s 6. The numbers alone can’t convey the tension imbued into this tug-of-war rivalry. It will be the first time the two meet in a semi-final, making this a match-up not to be missed.
Sydney FC will take a hard-earned rest before hosting the winner of the derby. The grand final will take place on Sunday March 27, at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. It will be their fifth consecutive appearance at the grand final, their second consecutive appearance as premiers and, potentially, their first double under the tenure of Ante Jurić.
