Re-capping a sell-out day in the Kogarah sun

A picturesque Kogarah afternoon was worth the price of admission alone for the near-20,000 fans who crammed into a sun-bathed Jubilee Stadium for Sunday evening’s Big Blue double-header.

Those who came to Sydney’s south for one of the most highly anticipated fixtures on the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League calendars were not to be disappointed.

The match saw three of the Hyundai A-League’s newest heroes in Adam Le Fondre, Ola Toivonen and Keisuke Honda all on the scoresheet in Melbourne Victory’s 2-1 win.

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Fans were treated to a thriller of equal measure in the Westfield W-League beforehand, as Natasha Dowie’s hat-trick helped Victory claim a 3-2 triumph over their fierce rivals.

All in all, it made for a fantastic day of football – and here are the highlights!

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Hyundai A-League

The Big Blue always delivers something special in the Hyundai A-League and this was no exception with the capacity crowd treated to an absorbing clash between the two fierce rivals.

The special atmosphere contributed to a cracking contest as defending champions Victory made a big statement with their 2-1 win, a third victory on the bounce for Kevin Muscat’s side.

After goals to Ola Toivonen and Adam Le Fondre had scores level midway through the second half, Keisuke Honda gave the healthy throng of Japanese fans in the crowd with the winner from the penalty spot.

With the Sky Blues to play the majority of their home games at the suburban venue this season, the majority of fans in attendance are sure to come back after an unforgettable day out.

Big Blue

Big Blue

Westfield W-League

For those that got to Kogarah early on Sunday – and they were there in there thousands – they were treated to a five-goal thriller.

While Victory may have played second fiddle to the Sky Blues in the Westfield W-League in recent seasons, Jeff Hopkins’ side has made a blistering start to the 2018/19 Season and stayed on top of the ladder with an entertaining win.

Striker Natasha Dowie was the star for the visitors, scoring a classy hat-trick, including a sublime strike from a tricky angle to open the scoring early on.

Despite having Angela Beard sent off in the second half – and an unstoppable free-kick from Sydney FC defender Alanna Kennedy late on, Victory held on for a memorable win on the road to kickstart a great day for the club.