Sydney women break through
Sydney FC has broken through for its first win of the Hyundai A-League Women's Challenge, beating Queensland 2-1 at the SFS on Saturday night.
The sky blues opened up a two-goal advantage after 20 minutes, the impressive Leena Khamis and Sarah Walsh finding the back of the net before Kathryn Gill replied for the Roar after half an hour.
The visitors pushed forward looking for an equaliser in the second half but Sydney's defence stood up to the test to ensure the hosts finished with a much sought after victory.
Sydney's victory meant it drew level with Newcastle and Queensland with a win apiece in the three-team round-robin series.
Newcastle beat Sydney FC 4-2 in the first round with Queensland edging the Jets 1-0 in the second match.
Sydney skipper Heather Garriock was relieved to come away with her first win in the Challenge and hoped the series had shown women's football in a good light.
"I've had two losses and a win so it was nice to hang on," Sydney FC skipper Heather Garriock said.
"It's given the fans a little bit of a taste of women's football. It has been a success because it's given everyone a look at Australian women's football."
"It was important the FFA put it on."
Sydney took a 2-1 lead into the break after an opening and entertaining first half against Queensland.
Khamis shaved the left post with an early shot on goal to set the tone as the sky blues went on the attack early.
But Khamis made sure she took her next opportunity at the 13-minute mark, burying the opening goal after Sally Shipard's initial attempt was well blocked by Roar goalkeeper Kate Stewart.
Khamis was in the thick of the action for Sydney's second goal after 20 minutes, slipping a nice ball for Walsh to put away.
The game was all Sydney's way, with Walsh going close to clinching her double two minute later.
But Queensland refused to go into its shell and pulled a goal back on the half hour.
Ellen Beaumont's left foot cross was met with a well directed header from Kathryn Gill and the visitors were back in it at 2-1.
The goal scoring chances dried up in the second half, although Matildas striker Lisa De Vanna will feel she should have done better after bearing down on the Sydney goal in the 76th minute.
Roar finished the stronger and continued to pepper the Sydney goal late in the match but couldn't find a second goal.