Alanna Kennedy believes Sydney FC won’t be able to match Melbourne City if they play at their best as the defender gears up to play her former club in Sunday’s Westfield W-League grand final.
While the Sky Blues come into the decider at Allianz Stadium on the back of a 10-game unbeaten run, City qualified after toppling Premiers Brisbane last weekend while they’ve also won the last two titles.
Patrick Kisnorbo’s side might have lost their only previous meeting with the Sky Blues this season [3-2 back in Round 4], but they know what it takes to get the job done in big matches.
And it doesn’t get bigger than the Grand Final, with Kennedy confident City have the quality to make history and claim a third straight championship.
“Sydney have a lot of depth all over the park as well but when you match our players to theirs, when we’re at our best I think we’ll be the better team,” the Westfield Matildas defender said.
“We trust we have the ability in our squad and the experience of the players we have, we were able to step up when it counts.
“That’s what [we’ve done the last few weeks] and it’s got us in the position we are in now. We believed from the start we would always be here.
“Everyone is confident. We understand we need to still play at our best. There might be some nerves from some of the girls but it’s been pretty positive this week.”
Kennedy has played for seasons in the Westfield W-League for Sydney FC, including the previous two, and was part of the Sky Blues squad that lost the 2016 decider 4-1 against City at AAMI Park.
But the 23-year-old switched allegiances at the start of the season and while she’s happy to see her former side make the decider, Kennedy hopes they are on the wrong end of the scoreboard on Sunday.
“I’m very happy for the club [Sydney FC] they have been able to bounce back and make it to the final this year,” Kennedy said.
“I’m not bitter towards it at all, I’m actually looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m very happy to be wearing the City shirt this weekend and hopefully it will be a great match and we can come out on top.”
