Sydney FC have delivered their fans derby delight with an emphatic 3-0 win over fierce local rivals Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday.
Last season’s Grand Finalists were intent on making an early statement for 2020/21 and put the Wanderers to the sword with an eye-catching display.
It was a former Wanderer in Cortnee Vine who scored the first goal of the new Westfield W-League season midway through the first half, before Princess Ibini added a brilliant brace after the break for the visitors.
Vine, who was part of the Wanderers squad that made the finals last season, was keen to impress against her former employers and her combination with Remy Siemsen and Ibini was a threat all afternoon at Bankwest Stadium.
Ibini was the star of the second half with two wonderfully taken goals as Sydney FC showed a ruthless streak that will please coach Ante Juric.
The Sky Blues were simply to classy for the Wanderers and could have scored more goals if not for a couple of excellent saves from Red and Black keeper Courtney Newbon.
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Key moments
Ray fires early warning shot
It was an evenly contested first 10 minutes but it was the Sky Blues who had the best early chance through Taylor Ray.
The Wanderers defence only half cleared a corner, with the ball bouncing enticingly into the path of the Sky Blues defender.
Ray’s first-time effort on the volley was beautifully struck, but her long-range effort swung just wide of the post.
Vine returns to haunt Wanderers
The Sky Blues began to take control, with Siemsen squandering a great chance as she rattled the crossbar from close range on 25 minutes.
But just two minutes later Siemsen made amends, setting up the opening goal through Vine in her Sydney FC debut.
Vine raced onto Siemsen’s excellent pass, surging into the area and slamming the ball past Courtney Newbon at the near post.
Ibini delivers a beauty
Sydney FC continued to look the more threatening side after the break and they got the decisive second goal right on the hour mark.
And it was a sublime strike from Ibini that doubled their lead, receiving the ball to the left of the box, cutting back in on her right foot and curling an unstoppable shot into the far top corner.
Ibini at the double
The Sky Blues weren’t about to relax on their two-goal lead and duly added a third just four minutes from time.
Teresa Polias, Mackenzie Hawkesby and substitute Allira Toby were all involved as Ibini ran on to a slide-rule pass by the latter and slammed it past a stranded Newbon.
Next match
Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets
When: Saturday, January 2
Kick-off: 7.05pm (AEDT)
Match Centre
Tickets
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
When: Friday, January 8
Kick-off: 4.35pm (AEDT)
Match Centre
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