Catch the highlights from the Ninja A-League showdown between Canberra United and Sydney FC.
Canberra United’s aspirations for finals football took a significant blow on Saturday afternoon as they fell 1-0 at home to Sydney FC, who managed to keep their season alive.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 78th minute when Sydney FC midfielder Mackenzie Hawkesby lashed a stunning strike from the edge of the box after being set up by the talented teenager Indiana Dos Santos.
Just a minute later, the Sky Blues felt they should have been awarded a penalty after Princess Ibini was brought down, yet the referee waved play on and called for a goal kick despite clear evidence of a foul in replays.
Both teams created several opportunities during the 90 minutes, but Canberra failed to register a shot on target at McKellar Park, allowing Sydney to secure their third win in four matches.
As a result, Canberra sits seventh on the ladder, trailing sixth-placed Brisbane Roar by one point, with Brisbane scheduled to face Adelaide on Sunday.
In contrast, Sydney FC kept their faint hopes of finals football alive; however, they remain in 10th place on the ladder, six points adrift of the top six with just three games remaining.
Aiming to take the initiative early, Canberra came close in the 11th minute when defender Tegan Bertolissio’s header crashed against the crossbar, a sigh of relief for the visitors.
Yet to find the net from a corner this season, the Sky Blues threatened in the 22nd minute as Tori Tumeth sought to convert from close range, but some desperate defending from Canberra thwarted her attempt amidst a scramble in the six-yard box.
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Jordan Thompson nearly found the back of the net for the home side from a corner, but the American’s poked shot drifted wide of the post in the 31st minute.
Understanding that a loss would extinguish their slim finals hopes, Sydney FC manager Ante Juric opted to make changes at half-time, leaving Canberra on the periphery of contention.
Substitute Shea Connors made an immediate impact, weaving her way towards the edge of the Canberra box before unleashing a low left-footed strike, which was expertly saved by Sally James.
Canberra responded in kind, believing they had taken the lead in the 64th minute from a corner kick.
Defender Madison Ayson evaded her marker at the back post and thighed the ball towards goal; however, her effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Shay Hollman, who also blocked Ayson’s follow-up to maintain the stalemate.
The game’s first goal finally arrived in the 78th minute, with the visitors seizing the lead at McKellar Park.
After Ayson was dispossessed inside her own half, the young star Dos Santos charged towards the box, opting to set up Hawkesby, who drilled the ball into the net from the edge of the area.
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Just after taking the lead, the Sky Blues felt they deserved a penalty when substitute Princess Ibini was clearly fouled inside the box, but referee Rachael Mitchenson ignored their appeals.
Canberra pressed hard for a late equaliser; however, the Sydney FC defence held firm until the final whistle, ensuring their season continues while Canberra’s hopes of achieving a finals spot suffered a major setback.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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