It’s quite simple: Sydney FC are flying at the minute.
After losing to league leaders Western United in mid-January, reigning premiers the Sky Blues have been on a tear, seeing off reigning Liberty A-League champions Melbourne Victory 6-3 last week, before dispatching second-placed Melbourne City 3-0 at home on Saturday.
It was a top-notch performance from front to back, as Sydney choked out their opponents with relentless pressing and swift counter-attacks that left the visitors searching for answers.
READ: DUB ZONE COMMENTATOR GRILLS MATILDAS ASSISTANT OVER ‘UNDROPPABLE’ PLAYERS CLAIM
Cortnee Vine was particularly instrumental, scoring Sydney’s second and getting an assist for Madison Haley – capping off a sensational couple of games that has seen her score two goals and dish off three assists.
Vine’s performance comes off the back of being called up to the Matildas squad for the upcoming Cup of Nations where they’ll take on Spain, Czechia and Jamaica.
However, Vine admitted she started the season slowly but believes she’s started to regain her confidence – which is reflective in her performances.
“Obviously we are stoked to get the three points against a quality team like City. It’s a crucial time of the year to start winning games and continue winning games,” she said on Dub Zone.
“My performance… I think I’m starting to hit a good stride with my season.
I started off a bit slow and I think I’m starting to get my confidence back which is nice, and I’m really starting to enjoy my game and I think it shows on the field.”
City also had more of the ball than their opponents, but were unable to really penetrate Sydney’s steadfast back-line which stood up enormously despite being without first-choice keeper Jada Whyman.
The defensive effort was a far cry from the moments of fragility that were on show against Victory just over a week ago, as Tahlia Franco kept her first clean sheet between the sticks, while the likes of Charlotte Mclean, Nat Tobin, Charlize Rule and Kirsty Fenton repelled City’s forays.
Vine spoke glowingly about their defence on Dub Zone – labelling it the benchmark defensive unit in the competition.
“Yeah, I think the goal last week, that was a learning experience for our young goalkeeper (Tahlia Franco), and that was her debut. “I think with experience comes those decision-making errors,” Vine said.
“I think and our backline is still superb, I think they are the backline in the league, they get no credit at all. They need to be spoken about way more.
“And that shows today again… a clean sheet. But Tahlia I think has stood up this week and learned from her mistakes and you can you can see that.”
But the result is all the more significant, given Sydney are now a point behind second-placed City with two games in hand, while being three points off league leaders Western and having a game-in-hand along with a superior goal-difference to their name.
Dub Zone commentator Teo Pellizzeri asked if Sydney are now the premiership favourites and Vine kept her response short and sweet.
“I don’t know, are we?” Vine said.
“I think we’re always premiers in our eyes. We want that double this year. We haven’t got it the last few years and that’s all that’s on our minds at the moment.”
SATURDAY AGENDA
Sydney FC 3-0 Melbourne City
Venue: Allianz Stadium
MATCH REPORT: JURIC’S HUGE PRAISE FOR RISING SYDNEY FC MIDFIELDER: ‘SHE REMINDS ME OF TIM CAHILL’
Melbourne Victory 3-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
Venue: CB Smith Reserve
MATCH REPORT: MELBOURNE VICTORY LEAVE IT LATE TO SEE OFF RESILIENT WANDERERS
Western United 1-3 Perth Glory
Venue: Morshead Park
MATCH REPORT: GLORY CONQUER LEAGUE-LEADING WESTERN WITH STUNNING FREE-KICK
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, brought to you by Neds.
