Sydney FC 0-0 Central Coast Mariners
by Isabelle Campbell (19/1/25)
Above: Sydney FC’s Indiana Dos Santos (right) tussles with Bianca Galic of Central Coast Mariners today. Photo: Sydney FC.
Sydney picked up their third successive draw (with the outcome of their midweek game against Canberra United still to be decided) in a hard-fought battle with Central Coast Mariners at Leichhardt Oval today.
That midweek frustration, where the Sky Blues had built a 2-0 lead before torrential rain and storms intervened saw them come into this encounter looking to claim the three points. Central Coast Mariners were eager to make their mark and climb into a top-six position.
Both sides opted for consistency, naming unchanged starting XIs from their previous fixtures – something which could have given the Mariners an edge after they arrived with fresher legs and plenty of preparation time.
Sydney FC suffered a shaky start, with the Mariners seizing early momentum. Annalise Rasmussen tested the home defence within minutes, firing a shot that goalkeeper Brianna Edwards managed to block.
However, her parry fell straight back to Rasmussen, whose follow-up attempt was also clumsily cleared by Edwards. The Mariners controlled much of the opening 15 minutes, dominating possession and applying consistent pressure.
Sydney’s first chance came from a free-kick in a dangerous position, awarded after Tess Quilligan fouled Faye Bryson. Indiana Dos Santos stepped up, but her delivery failed to find its target. The situation took a turn when Quilligan collided heavily with the post during the set piece. Despite attempting to continue, she eventually succumbed to the injury and was substituted for Greta Kraszula.
Tori Tumeth provided the Sky Blues’ first real opportunity from open play, unleashing a powerful strike that rattled the woodwork but stayed out. Meanwhile, Brooke Nunn was a standout for the Mariners, persistently driving forward in search of the opening goal but unable to convert her chances.
Tensions ran high as both sides battled for an opening goal. Rasmussen fouled Margaux Chauvet, gifting Sydney another free-kick in a promising area. Dos Santos again took the set piece, but the effort went off target, allowing the Mariners to remain unscathed.
In the final moments of the half, it was Central Coast’s turn to capitalize on a set piece. Bryson fouled Bianca Galic, giving them a free-kick in a dangerous position, but the chance went begging.
Despite their dominance, the visitors couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities, heading into the break with six shots on target to Sydney’s two. The scoreline remained unchanged at halftime, with the hosts needing to regroup to match the intensity of their opponents.
The Mariners picked up where they left off, piling pressure on Sydney’s defence. Edwards remained a key figure, as the goalkeeper faced unrelenting shots from the visitors.
Much of the home side’s attacking play was ignited by Caley Tallon-Henniker, whose pace down the left flank tested the Mariners’ backline. Though her runs created promising openings, the final touch of the home side remained unconvincing.
The game grew increasingly physical, with fouls disrupting the flow and yellow cards handed out to both sides.
In the final five minutes of regular time, Amber Luchtmeijer fired a strike from outside the box. However, the effort sailed off target, allowing Langman to gather comfortably.
Sydney’s best opportunity of the game came in the dying moments of extra time. Abbey Lemon unleashed a well-struck shot that seemed destined for the net, but Langman was equal to it, making a final save to preserve the clean sheet. Moments later, the referee’s whistle confirmed a 0-0 draw, leaving both sides frustrated by their inability to convert chances.
Next week, Sydney FC will travel to AAMI Park to take on the current second-place Melbourne Victory. Central Coast Mariners return to Woy Woy Oval to host Wellington Phoenix, still searching for the three points needed to push themselves into the top six.
Teams: SYDNEY FC (4-1-4-1): Edwards, Tumeth, Tobin, Thompson, Bryson, Chauvet, Johnson, Caspers, Dos Santos, Ibini, Tallon-Henniker. Substitutes: Franco, Connors, Lemon, Hawkesby, Luchtmeijer.
CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (3-2-4-1): Langman, Nash, Martin, Pennock, Galic, Ray, Rasmussen, Rowe, Quilligan, Nunn, Evans. Substitutes: Carmichael, Fuller, Kraszula, Trimis, McMahon.
Referee: Kelly Jones
Attendance: 2,109.
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