Sydney FC have finished third in the International Women’s Club Championship in Japan after a dramatic end to their play-off in Kagoshima, Japan.
Sydney FC-s Westfield W-League squad have finished third in the International Women-s Club Championship in Japan after a dramatic end to their play-off in Kagoshima, Japan.
The Sky Blues led 3-1 with four minutes of regular time to go but two late goals from the South American Champions Colo Colo sent the game in to a penalty shootout.
Renee Rollason, Anna Green, Nicola Bolger and Samantha Kerr all scored from the spot while goalkeeper Casey Dumont saved one and Colo Colo hit the post with another to hand Sydney FC the 3rd place.
Coach Alan Stajcic made five changes to the side which started against Chelsea Ladies FC in the semi-final on Wednesday night with Ralston, Foord, Harrison, Bolger and Camilleri all coming into the starting line-up.
Midfielder Trudi Camilleri started well putting a shot just wide after 5 minutes however the South American Champions took the lead in 10 minutes through Venezulan midfielder Yusmery Ascanio.
Sydney FC were on level terms in 23 minutes with dual international Ellyse Perry getting on the end of a Sydney FC corner. Within a minute the Sky Blues were ahead with the heavily involved Camilleri striking home from the restart.
Colo Colo-s task got harder five minutes before half time when their number six Soto was dismissed for a second yellow card.
The scoreline remained at 2-1 to the Sky Blues until ten minutes from time when centre half Renee Rollason popped up with her second goal of the tournament to make it 3-1.
The goal looked to have put the match beyond the South Americans who were down to ten women, but a strike four minutes from time pulled one back, and then a goal in the final minute sent the game into a penalty shootout.
Despite conceding two late goals the Sky Blues players held their nerve from the spot to secure the third place in the tournament.
The girls will be back in Westfield W-League action next weekend in a double header at Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon (15th December, 2.15pm kick off). They take on Melbourne Victory, who they beat 5-1 earlier in the season, prior to the Hyundai A-League match against Melbourne Heart, both of which will be televised live on Fox Sports.