Remy Siemsen has fired Sydney FC five points clear on top of the W-League table with her goal downing the competition’s reigning champions inside an empty AAMI Park.
In a contest billed as the Grand Final rematch – despite Melbourne City fielding a completely different XI to the one which started that day – chances in this contest were few and far between, with the Sky Blues taking theirs when they came.
Siemsen calmly placed her close ranged attempt into the bottom corner in the 51st minute, with this being Sydney’s only chance inside the box for the whole match.
City’s Alex Chidiac had a chance of her own from the exact same spot to open the scoring in the seventh minute when she found herself face-to-face with Jada Whyman – after a Bergkamp-like turn off a Harriet Withers pass – whom she failed to slip the ball past.
Aside from this early chance, it appears City faded into the eerie atmosphere which filled the stadium, with every pass, tackle and instruction heard.
The Sky Blues would double their lead when Natalie Tobin headed home a Teresa Polias corner at the back post to wrap up the three points.
City’s night would go from bad to worse when Tyla Jay Vlajnic saw red after a last-defender tackle on Cortnee Vine in the 55th minute, before Matildas defender Jenna McCormick limped off with a suspected quad injury.
Chidiac would have a chance midway through the second half to bring her side back into the match but once again fired her attempt straight into the arms of a waiting Whyman.
Japanese import Chinatsu Kira also tried her luck – albeit from distance – but saw it sail over the crossbar in an attempt which just about summed up City’s evening.
The win is just Sydney’s second-ever against Melbourne City, with the Sky Blues’ last victory against the four-time champions coming in November 2017.
Sydney FC moves four points clear of Canberra United – whom it plays next week – on top of the table with five wins out of five.
Meanwhile, City could slip to as low as eighth by the end of the round with just the one win from seven matches.
