This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Melbourne City have reached the W-League decider at the expense of premiers Brisbane Roar after a 2-0 semi-final win on Sunday.

Former Roar midfielder Aivi Luik came back to haunt her old club, breaking a tense deadlock in the 66rd minute with a long-range effort that deflected off Brisbane skipper Clare Polkinghorne’s shoulder.

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Jess Fishlock added another six minutes later, the veteran Welsh international’s shot passing through the outstretched gloves of Mackenzie Arnold to silence a stunned crowd at Perry Park.

It was a rich reward for City and a harsh but fitting punishment for the Roar, who had numerous chances but simply weren’t clinical enough to finish them.

However, they had what looked a strong penalty claim turned down six minutes out from the break after Matildas attacker Hayley Raso was clattered by Luik.

Having not conceded a single goal against City all season, the two strikes brought an abrupt end to Brisbane’s season and shattered their hopes of capturing the W-League double.

They rallied to find a way back into the match and nearly pegged one back in the 77th minute through substitute Abbey Lloyd.

Her headed attempt on goal rattled the crossbar and bounced straight down, but didn’t cross the line.

Two-time reigning champions City, who finished fourth on the ladder, will now face Sydney in next Sunday’s grand final having won it from the same position last season.

They can make history by repeating that feat as no team has ever won the W-League grand final three years in a row.

Drinks breaks were taken in both halves on a 34-degree scorcher in Brisbane, which tested the resolve of players and the 3870 in attendance.

The conditions clearly took their toll, with the first stanza an enthralling end-to-end affair dominated by the Roar.

But when it slowed down in the second half, City’s big guns relished in the extra space.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Sydney FC reached the grand final at the expense of Newcastle Jets in extra-time. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

On Saturday, Sydney FC ensured their spot in next weekend’s W-League grand final after a nervy 3-2 extra-time win over Newcastle Jets, but the victory came at a high cost.



Star forward Caitlin Foord limped off at halftime with a foot injury, and faces an extended spell on the sidelines in what would also be a blow to the Matildas’ upcoming Asian Cup campaign.

The injury partly overshadowed Sydney FC’s win as they chase a first title for five years.

“It doesn’t look good,” said Sydney FC coach Ante Juric about Foord’s injury. “She has had that kind of foot injury in the past and she was out for a long time.”

Foord scored a sparkling individual goal to set Sydney FC on their way in hot conditions at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.

Midfielder Kylie Ledbrook then doubled the advantage with a scuffed shot that looped over the Jets goalkeeper.

When Newcastle defender Hannah Brewer was sent off for an apparent last-player foul just before halftime, it seemed everything was going Sydney’s way.

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However, the Jets displayed impressive resilience to pull a goal back through Arin Gilliland, and then find an equaliser two minutes into injury time via substitute Tara Andrews.

The Jets could even have won it in an end-to-end extra time period, but instead it was Sydney FC who again went ahead as Lisa De Vanna converted at the end of a counter-attack.

It was tough luck for a gallant Jets side competing in their first finals match since the opening season of the W-League a decade ago.

Ledbrook limped off during extra time after likewise suffering a foot injury, but Juric expects the veteran to be fully fit for next week’s decider against the winner of Sunday’s second semi-final between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City.

“At 2-0 we were sort of cruising and I wasn’t happy that we copped two silly goals,” said Juric. “I always felt we would get through, but we always do it the hard way and have done throughout the whole season.”