Above: Rubi Sullivan talks to the press ahead of the Derby. Image: Sydney FC.
By Alice de Koster-Kitto (30/01/2025)
With the Sydney Derby just days away, the pressure is on for Sydney FC as they fight for their first win since November 2025. Sydney FC defender Rubi Sullivan spoke to the media ahead of the derby, regarding just how important this win will be for Sydney and what it means to play a derby in front of a home crowd.
“It’s super exciting. I think all the girls have had a very busy schedule, but I think we’re all locking in, and I think everyone is super excited to be playing in front of that many fans.”
The Derby will take place at Allianz Stadium this Saturday at 5 pm as part of a massive double header, with the men’s Derby kicking off at 7:35 pm. With the Sydney FC supporters’ section, “The Cove,” already sold out, as of Friday morning, the match is set to be one of the biggest crowds this season so far. The importance of such a passionate crowd of fans in the stands, especially during a high-stakes Derby, is not lost on Sullivan.
“I think it’s great because we get so many more fans coming to support us, supporting the men after, and I think it’s just a great time. We girls, we hang back and watch the men, we support each other.”
As a Sydney local, the chance to play her part in a Derby in front of her hometown crowd is an honour, and she’s using that to fuel her performance.
“I think just representing Sydney is a very special thing for me, and playing in the Derby obviously is a big honour for anybody.”
The last time Sydney FC took on Wanderers was in December 2025, where the match ended in a draw, for the first time since 2021. Previously, the Derby had been Sydney’s for the taking. However, a recent drop in attacking form has meant Sydney has struggled to find the back of the net.
“I think the disappointment that was there after we drew the last Derby, it was evident within the team a long time after that, and I think that is just fuelling us for this game and how much we want to win this game.”
“Obviously, we aren’t performing how we would like to be performing. I think we’ve been having lots of draws, and I think attacking, we’ve just been lacking goals, but I think they definitely are coming, and we just have to stick to it.”
Although there has been a lack of goals for the Sky Blues, there has been significant improvement defensively, as they have kept a clean sheet during their past two matches.
“We’ve been creating so many chances for ourselves. I think it’s just that final, you know, putting it in the back of the net.”
The excellent current form of goalkeeper Heather Hinz has instilled a new confidence in the Sydney FC squad, and allowed them to take more risks when creating opportunities, with Sullivan saying it’s now about converting those chances into goals.
“If you know Heather on and off the pitch, she’s always holding herself to a high standard, and I think that really resonates within this team. I think the way she performs on the field, she has saved us, you know, many times in these past couple weeks, and I think her being in top form is just like energy for the team.”
Although the result of the Derby will not have a direct impact on the ladder, with Sydney FC currently sitting in 10th, just one place and 3 points ahead of Wanderers, a win could be exactly what Sydney needs to find their way back into form and work their way up to a more desirable place on the ladder, as the season approaches the halfway mark.
“We’ve been dropping a couple of points with these draws, but I think if we get this win, we’re back in form, we’re on top. I think once we break that ice, we will, you know, really succeed in the season.”
“We’re really going to be putting 100% in, and the goals will come.”
The pressure of a Derby, especially at home, is naturally intensified; the stakes of this particular meeting are at an all-time high, as a win is crucial for Sydney FC at this point in the season. It is, however, that exact pressure that Rubi Sullivan believes will bring the points home for Sydney FC and send them to victory in this Sydney Derby.
“I think everyone has a lot to say about us, but I think we all know that trophies are still there to be won. We’re halfway through the season now, and I think the opportunity is there and that we will take it.”
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