A wonder goal from defender Ally Green,coupled with goals for Clare Wheeler and Mackenzie Hawkesby,sealed the comfortable win over Canberra in the semi-final at Netstrata Jubilee Staidum to put Sydney FC into their eighth W-League decider.
There were no jitters from the Sky Blues in a sudden death match less than a week after winning the premiership as their slick possession-based attack made light work of Canberra.
Fifteen minutes into the match,Sydney played their way through United’s defence to set-up Hawkesby with the opener. The attacking midfielder latched on to a clever through ball to volley past Richards from close range to open Sydney’s account.
Sydney began playing with more patience to try and pry open Canberra’s deep defence. A string of clever passes did just that,before a midfielder Clare Wheeler was picked out at the rear of the 18-yard box. Wheeler struck a powerful volley that looked to be headed straight towards Canberra goalkeeper Keeley Richards,however a deflection sent the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 2-0 for Sydney FC.
![Ally Green of Sydney FC celebrates scoring a goal with coach Ante Juric.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/620360673724d629811863ca84b921545eb555de)
Ally Green of Sydney FC celebrates scoring a goal with coach Ante Juric.Getty Images
There was nothing fortuitous about Sydney’s next,only a sublime individual effort as Green scored one of the goals of the season. The centre-back won a tackle on halfway in the 72nd minute,before surging forward unchecked to unleash a wicked strike from 25 metres out from goal that flew into the top corner.
A wild celebration erupted on the Sydney bench after Green’s stunning goal that put the club on course for a fourth W-League title.
Sydney will host Victory in the Grand Final on Sunday April 11,in what will be the Sky Blues fourth successive grand final.