Melbourne City’s Ninja A-League Premiership defence began with a 2-2 draw with Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon.
City were twice forced to come from behind to draw level in a seesawing Round 1 contest; an own goal from City defender Rebekah Stott got the scoring underway in the first half before City teenager Shelby McMahon levelled the score on the stroke of half-time.
For all goals, highlights and key stats, visit the match centre below.
Sydney FC then reclaimed the lead in the second half when midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby won and then scored a penalty just beyond the hour mark; City debutant Aideen Keane conceded the penalty with a foul on Hawkesby but atoned for the error down the other end with her first goal in City colours to earn the visitors a point.
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14-year-old Sydney debutant Willa Pearson became the youngest player in Ninja A-League history in the Round 1 fixture, and CommBank Matildas midfielder Sarah Hunter made her return to the Sky Blues after a stint at Paris FC in the 2-2 draw.
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The Sky Blues missed the Finals Series for the first time in Ninja A-League history last season and came out for Round 1 in 2025-26 intent on making up for lost time.
Sydney will undoubtedly feel aggrieved not to have taken three points from a game they led on two occasions but will also take great encouragement from a strong performance on the opening weekend of the season.
