Worldie salvages City ALW draw with Sydney

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Worldie salvages City ALW draw with Sydney

A world class strike from Mariana Speckmaier has helped A-League Women leaders Melbourne City claim a comeback 2-1 win over struggling Sydney FC and remain unbeaten heading into the international break.

Elsewhere, Adelaide sit second after coming from behind to claim a 1-1 home draw with finals aspirants Canberra United.

Reigning champions Sydney, who sit bottom of the table, took a shock lead in the 13th minute at AAMI Park when Sky Blues star Mackenzie Hawkesby pounced on a City mix-up at the back.

Goalkeeper Malena Mieres passed forward to Laura Hughes under immense pressure.

The defensive midfielder lost the ball, allowing Hawkesby to coolly stroke the opener past Mieres as Hughes pounded the ground in frustration.

Less than five minutes later, Hughes lost the ball again but Princess Ibini dragged her shot just wide.

City’s equaliser arrived just 24 seconds after half time.

Speckmaier won the ball just inside her own half and took off, sprinting until just outside the 18-yard box and, with Sydney’s defence backing off, unleashing an unstoppable strike.

Sydney’s defence will have been deflated to concede after an otherwise sound performance.

Natalie Tobin and Jordan Thompson mostly marked City star Holly McNamara out of the game, ahead of her linking up with the Matildas for the SheBelieves Cup.

Sydney unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty in the 86th minute, believing Rebekah Stott had brought down Amber Luchtmeijer in the area when challenging for the ball.

Three minutes later, Leticia McKenna brilliantly split open the Sydney midfield for Lourdes Bosch, who slipped the ball forward for Bryleeh Henry to score the winner.

City now sit nine points clear of second-placed Adelaide and 10 ahead of third-placed Victory, while reigning champions Sydney are bottom of the table and 14 points outside the top six, their season slipping away.

Earlier at Coopers Stadium, Canberra snatched the lead in the 45th minute.

Adelaide goalkeeper Claudia Jenkins failed to properly clear a corner and Darcy Malone headed the ball inside the near post, with Ella Tonkin unable to prevent it crossing the line.

Adelaide continued to press for an equaliser and found it through star attacker Chelsie Dawber.

Erin Healy brilliantly slipped through Fiona Worts, who squared it for Dawber.

The striker burst forward and unleashed her seventh goal of the season from just inside the box to salvage a point.

On Sunday, Victory take on Central Coast, Brisbane host Western United and Perth take on Wellington.

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