Sydney FC 0-0 Adelaide United
By Kieran Yap 9/1/2026
Above: Adriana Taranto and Kirsty Fenton challenge for the ball. Photo: Adelaide United
Sydney FC and Adelaide United played out an entertaining if sometimes frustrating scorless draw at Leichhardt Oval. Despite the visibly poor playing surface both teams played some promising attacking football that brought the best out of their respective goalkeepers.
Ante Juric’s side came into this round in need of win. Sydney FC have not scored in five games, and are fast slipping down the table. They faced an Adelaide United side that has been formidable at home, but not as strong outside of South Australia. Despite Adelaide’s enviable strike power, this presented a good opportunity for Sydney FC to find their spark. NPL goal machine Skye Halmarick started her second consecutive game for the home side in a signal of intent.
Adelaide United started the stronger of the two sides. Some good interplay resulted in an Emily Condon effort missing the target, Erin Healy’s shot skimming wide, and a Melissa Taranto header going past the upright. Sydney FC almost responded spectacularly but Bianca Galic’s looped pass was perfectly and athletically cleared by Matilda McNamara despite the defender facing her own goal when she cleared the ball.
Sydney defended compactly, but struggled to build from the back. Adelaide’s midfield trio of Zois and the Taranto’s were well set up to shut them down and in the absence of a really quick midfielder, they have few options to break through the press if the passing options are closed.
Adriana Tranto in particular showed impressive energy and drive. She was able to burst through midfield and form a menacing presence, but the final pass was often snuffed out by Sydney’s defence.
Another Adrian Taranto run started the second half. After intercepting a goal-kick, she burst into the penalty area, but no Adelaide striker was on the spot to meet her cutback to the six yard box.
The game began to open up in the final half hour. The introduction of former Sydney FC striker Fiona Worts into the game instantly resulted in a chance for Adelaide. Worts earned a foul from Kirsty Fenton’s shirt pull and the Zois free kick found McNamara but the header was wide.
Erin Healy had a goal disallowed for a body check on Willa Pearson. It looked to be legal and if the roles were reversed it is hard to imagine a referee giving a penalty for a similar challenge. It looked on replay like an error by the referee.
Amelia Cassar momentarily sparked Sydney FC into life with a clever pass for Halmarick to chase. Unfortunately for her, Ilona Melegh was alert to the danger and able to race out to snuff out the chance.
Some expert centre-forward work from Halmarick created Sydney’s best chance. Her hold-up play, pass wide to Sarah Hunter and well placed header were all perfectly executed, but Melegh was able to gather the eventual chance once again.
Sydney substitute Riley Tanner almost secured the points for the hosts, but her quick footwork went unrewarded when he shot from the angle crashed off the woodwork after another strong goalkeeping effort from Melegh.
The draw was Sydney’s sixth goalless performance in a row, but Halmarick’s continuing comfort at this level and natural instincts for the position must offer some hope for fans.
Adelaide’s away form continues to trouble them, but they looked to have snatched the win in added time only for it to be denied by millimeters, the performances of this team are becoming more consistent as the season develops, and in Melegh, they may have the in-form goalkeeper of the competition.
Teams: Sydney FC (4-3-3): Hinz, Lemon, Pearson, Tumeth, Fenton, Galic, Lowry, Hunter, Cassar, Halmarick, Ulkekel. Substitutes: Robertson, Ayson, Tanner, Corbett, Luchtmeijer, Sullivan.
Adelaide United (4-3-1-2): Melegh, E Hodgson, McNamara, Tonkin, Tolland, A Taranto, Zois, M Taranto, Healy, Condon, Dawber. Substitutes: Jenkins, Murray, I Hodgson, Morgan, Makris, Worts.
Referee: TBC
Attendance: TBC
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