In a tightly contested match at McKellar Park, Sydney FC emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win over Canberra United on March 22, 2025. The win was secured by a late goal from Mackenzie Hawkesby, who scored in the 78th minute, keeping Sydney’s flickering hopes for a finals spot alive.
The team, managed by Ante Juric, was determined to build on their recent form, coming off a string of promising performances including a recent 4-3 loss to Western United, where Canberra had pushed themselves to the limit. The match this afternoon attracted a robust crowd of 2,194 passionate supporters, eager to see their team triumph in this vital fixture.
Canberra United started the match brightly and almost struck first. In the 11th minute, Elizabeth Anton's corner was met by Tegan Bertolissio, whose header hit the crossbar, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. As the first half progressed, however, it was apparent that both defenses were holding firm. Sydney, fielding several young players including Indiana Dos Santos, Caley Tallon-Henniker, Shay Hollman, and Maddie Caspers, were bolstered by the experience of the only non-teenager in the midfield, Lucy Johnson.
Despite a slow start, Sydney began to push back, with Hawkesby leading the front lines. Canberra’s Sally James had to be alert after a corner from Dos Santos found Tori Tumeth, whose shot was deflected wide in the 22nd minute. Before long, both teams had chances, with the game burgeoning with a lively tempo.
The second half was equally competitive. As opportunities to break the deadlock arose, it was Madison Ayson for Canberra United who almost scored in the 64th minute, only to be denied by the vigilant Shay Hollman, who cleared the ball off the line. With time running out, Sydney made crucial substitutions, introducing Shea Connors and Millie Farrow to sharpen their attack.
In a critical moment of the match, Indiana Dos Santos managed to break free down the left wing in the 78th minute, making a quick sprint into the box. Unselfishly, she squared the ball to Hawkesby, who finished with finesse, slotting it past James to put Sydney in front. This moment changed the course of the game, dashing Canberra’s hopes for a crucial win on their home ground.
As the final minutes ticked away, Canberra United fought valiantly to secure an equalizer. It was a testament to their resolve when Michelle Heyman, known for her tenacity, made a great attempt that was blocked by Sydney’s solid defense.
Reflecting on the win, Mackenzie Hawkesby expressed her relief and pride in the team's effort. "At the moment we’re just trying to get three points every week and I haven’t actually won here in my five years at Sydney FC, so it feels good to win down here," she said. "It’s always hard to play here. Every week we’re fighting for our pride; individually we want to do well. We are Sydney FC, we’re a massive club with a rich history, so it is important to win. They are a great team and really hard to beat down here. They have a great fan base so it’s huge to win here. I’m thrilled to beat them here."
The victory, marking Sydney FC’s third in four matches, moves them to 10th place in the league standings, maintaining their hopes for the finals, albeit slim. Sydney will be looking to build on this momentum in their upcoming match against their rivals in the Sydney Derby. Meanwhile, Canberra United must regroup quickly as they travel to face Perth Glory next weekend, needing a turnaround to stay in contention for the finals.
Ultimately, this clash highlighted the competitive nature of the league, with both teams showcasing a blend of youth and experience, and left supporters on the edge of their seats. With Sydney holding on for the victory, the Sky Blues take away not only three points but also a renewed spirit going into the contests to come.
