Melbourne Victory were beaten by Sydney FC for the first time since April 2023 in the penultimate round of the 2025/26 Ninja A-League campaign on Saturday evening.
Rachel Lowe’s laser-accurate finish, her second this term, had the away side in front during the first half as they chase a place in Finals.
But Riley Tanner goals either side of the interval at Leichhardt Oval swung the match away from seventh-place Victory, meaning three points on the last weekend of the regular season away to Perth Glory may not be enough to seal a top-six spot.
Team News
Jeff Hopkins opted for one change to the starting XI that beat Western Sydney Wanderers a fortnight ago. Leading scorer Kennedy White started among the substitutes, meaning it was Ella O’Grady selected to lead the line in New South Wales.
Match Action
During a low-key opening, it was Laura Pickett who made Victory’s biggest intervention, with the defender getting her body across Tanner to clear a dangerous Mackenzie Hawkesby cross.
The game would, though, be brought to life in the 23rd minute, when a sequence of polite defensive play saw Sydney fail to both recognise and clear the danger. Lowe seized upon the loose ball and, from just inside the penalty area, devastingly picked out the top corner.
Less than 10 minutes later, the Sky Blues were given a route back into the contest as the visitors suffered their own defensive lapse. A routine Kayla Morrison pass, designed for the captain’s centre-back partner Claudia Bunge, was stolen by Tanner, who raced clear and beat Newbon with a low, composed effort.
Determined to retake the lead, Sofia Sakalis connected with Rhianna Pollicina, but the latter, after showing neat footwork inside the area, could not direct her drive away from the gloves of Heather Hinz.
The goalkeeper was then in the thick of the action, taking out O’Grady when the attacker beat her to the ball to get a shot off. Despite the heavy impact, referee Isabella Mosin determined there had been no foul play.
Hinz’s role in the tale grew further ahead of half-time, adjusting sharply to pluck a deflected Holly Furphy cross out of the air as it threatened to loop in for the go-ahead goal.
Half-time: Sydney FC 1-1 Melbourne Victory
Right at the start of the second 45, Hopkins’ team went desperately close to retaking the lead. Sakalis won possession in an advanced position, and O’Grady whizzed a shot narrowly wide of the post.
It would, however, be another error that gave Sydney the platform to strike in front. Morrison’s backpass was again pounced on by Tanner, and once more, the Panama international kept her cool to convert coolly.
A third seemed certain to arrive for the hosts when Tanner turned provider from the left, but Jodi Ãœlkekul was denied by Newbon, and then the woodwork, before Abbey Lemon’s follow-up was blocked by the goalkeeper.
As the game became increasingly frantic, tempers started to fray, and both Sakalis and Tanner went into the book after they tangled off the ball. Victory needed to keep their cool and showcase their talents, and Pollicina connected well on the volley, only for its direction to make it a routine save for Hinz.
As the pressure built, Willa Pearson survived a penalty shout for handball, and O’Grady, played through by Morrison, fired straight into the arms of Hinz.
A late bombardment, led by the deliveries of substitute Alana Jancevski, threatened a vital equaliser, but Tanner’s goals would be the difference in Round 21.
Match Details
Sydney FC 2 (TANNER 31, 49′)
Melbourne Victory 1 (LOWE 23′)
Sydney FC starting XI: 1. Heather HINZ (GK), 2. Madison AYSON, 3. Charlotte MCLEAN (5. Kirsty FENTON 75′), 4. Tori TUMETH, 9. Jodi ÃœLKEKUL (22. Claudia VALLETTA 84′), 13. Riley TANNER, 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY (C), 16. Willa PEARSON, 17. Claire CORBETT (6. Shay HOLLMAN 69′), 18. Amber LUCHTMEIJER (24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER 76′).
Substitutes not used: 29. Alyse OPPEDISANO (GK), 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON (GK).
Booking: TANNER 71′.
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 24. Laura PICKETT (16. Kennedy WHITE 61′), 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT (66. Alana JANCEVSKI 61′), 6. Taylor RAY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA (81. Grace MAHER 76′), 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 23. Rachel LOWE, 9. Holly FURPHY, 7. Ella O’GRADY.
Substitutes not used: 30. Payton WOODWARD (GK), 27. Rosie CURTIS, 28. Sienna TECHERA.
Booking: BUNGE 64′, SAKALIS 71′.
Coming Soon
Victory will complete their fixture list in just under a week, travelling to Perth Glory on Friday, April 3, kick-off 7pm AEDT.
