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In a semi-final with plenty at stake, Alesha Clifford’s send off in the 12’ should have subdued Sydney FC.  But for the minor premiers it appeared to be no more than a small speed bump on the road to the Grand Final.  It was an impressive response in which Uzunlar, Garriock and Simon anchored the defence with little problem; Rydahl, Paaske, Ledbrook, O’Neill/Allen taking control in the midfield; and although Khamis dropped slightly into the midfield they still managed to do be potent up front.

Defence:
It will be a disappointed Clifford that will be on the sidelines this Saturday and her suspension leaves Sydney FC without a recognised defender.  However, considering they haven’t conceded in the last two high pressure matches, Garriock and Co will be certainly up to the task.  Once again they will be integral for more than they defensive exploits.  Simon and Garriock often work as link up players and can at times be found on the finishing end. 

Midfield:
This quartet has been the best midfield all season.  Led by the sensational Cathrin Paaske, no team has been able to completely get on top of them.   Ledbrook’s holding role has allowed Rydahl and Paaske to press forward and the delivery to the strikers has been first class. 

Forward:
Both are in great touch and the best strike duo in the league will once again become the focal point of Sydney attacks.  Khamis and Walsh are different styles of strikers giving the sky blues different avenues of attack.  They won’t be easy to shut down and at least one of them have scored in the last 5 games and in the case of last week both of them scored.  Safe to say when Khamis or Walsh score, Sydney wins.

Keys: Heather Garriock, Cathrin Paaske, Sarah Walsh

"I have watched a lot of games of football in my life and I don’t think I have ever seen a team, especially in that context, win so emphatically with one player down.  I terms of the context of the game and output involved, it is definitely one of the best wins I’ve seen."

"I knew that we were strong in the game and I knew that we were the better team with the confidence and momentum we had built up.  We did sort of drop back to one and a half strikers with Leena Khamis pushed back into the midfield a little bit."

"The game against Brisbane was almost the turning point of our season.  When we played that game we were short on confidence  back then.   We probably edged a points decision that game. It was a game where we created a lot of chances and I think that it showed to the girls that we did have that quality in our team.  Also if we played to our potentional we could match them.  It's all improved week by week since then."

“All the girls know each other inside out being in National Teams together so I am sure we will give a good account of ourselves this week.”

“I know that their weapons are still their weapons this week like Tameka Butt who is explosive and runs all day and is really fast and sharp in midfield; Elise Kellond-Knight who is dangerous on the left; Joey Burgess is dangerous out on the right; Clare Polkinghorne is big and strong in from the back.”

“It’s one of those games where you know what the opposition can do and is going to do but you still have to try and stop it.”

“We will just stick to our normal routine this week.  We have a seven day break and they have probably a few more travel and game day concerns than us.  We have a busy week but I am sure it will be a happy week for the girls.”

“We are hoping to get a good turn out and hopefully we can get  a few thousand people out there and support the girls.  I think they have earned it and I think they deserve it.”

“The most pleasing part of the year has been the progress.  This is a unique team that we have had to build together so it took a lot of effort to mould the team.  The girls have done a really good job.”

“Win or loss it has been a rewarding season but we are fairly competitive down at Sydney and I am sure the girls will be desperate to take out the Championship.”

“They are all experienced players and they showed that last week going one down and they didn’t drop fhe ball.  They continued playing football.  That’s our style anyway as all of the players in the team are footballers and that is evidenced by our back four who are all midfielders/strikers.  They are all ball players.  That’s part of our game and that’s the way you can expect us to play.“