United produced a mid-week statement win over Sydney FC to propel them to the top of the Ninja Women’s A-League table.
Canberra United ended Sydney FCs unbeaten run through a comprehensive 2-0 victory which took their run of form to three wins in a row. The two goals scored in the game were as many as the Sky Blues had conceded all season.
United were the quicker team out of the gates, putting themselves in multiple goalscoring positions during the opening minutes of the match. The best of the early chances came from Aulicino, whose 30 yard shot forced an acrobatic dive from Tiahna Robertson to keep United scoreless.
Jazmin Wardlow had the next best chance of the half 18 minutes in, but pushed her header wide from a Nanako Sasaki corner. Aulicino, Gordon, and Taylor-Young all found themselves with the ball in space throughout the half but could not keep their shots down to trouble Robertson.
United looked like the only team to trouble the scorers in the first half and were unlucky not to go into the break with a lead.
United broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half through Captain Michelle Heyman. Heyman showed her experience and class by starting the move through a sublime first touch around the corner to a sprinting Sasha Grove, who slipped past her defender to create space in Sydney’s box. Grove found Heyman, who expertly held her run, leaving her unmarked at the top of the box to place her shot in the top right corner leaving Robertson no chance.
Sydney almost hit straight back through Tori Tumeth, who won the ball inside United’s half and carried the ball forward before shooting just wide of the United goal for Sydney’s best chance of the game.
United doubled their lead in the 65th minute through Sienna Dale who scored only six minutes after coming on. Gordon launched a freekick into a dangerous area of the Sydney box which the Sky Blues could not clear, giving Dale the chance to bury her shot from close range.
United continued to push for a third goal with Grove terrorising the Sydney defence down the right wing.
The win moves United to the top of the table with three wins, one draw, and two losses after seven matches.
United have a short three-day turnaround before their Round 7 match against Melbourne City at McKellar Park, Saturday 13 December.
Match details
Ninja A-League 2025/26 Season Round 5
Canberra United 2 (Heyman 53’, Dale 65’) Sydney FC 0
Half-time: 0- 0
McKellar Park
Wednesday 10 December 2025
Referee: Georgia Ghirardello
Canberra United: 1. Sally JAMES (gk), 3. Elizabeth ANTON, 5. Jazmin WARDLOW, 6. Josie AULICINO, 7. Emma HAWKINS, 8. Sasha GROVE, (10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY 77’), 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG, (11. Emma ROBERS 56’), (13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON 62’), (19. Sienna DALE 56’), 23. Michelle HEYMAN, (25. Darcey MALONE 77’), 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO, 32. Bethany GORDON, 33. Nanako SASAKI
Substitutes not used: 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC (gk)
Yellow Cards: GORDON
Sydney FC: 30. Tiahna ROBERTSON (gk), (2. Madison Ayson 45’), 4. Tori TUMETH, 5. Kristy TUMETH, 7. Amelia CASSAR, (8. Hana LOWRY 57’), (9. Jodi ULKEKUL 47’), 14. Abbey LEMON, 15. Mackenzie HAWKESBY, 16. Willa PEARSON, (19. Skye HALMARICK 45’), 21. Sarah HUNTER, (23. Rubi SULLIVAN 83’), 24. Caley TALLON-HENNIKER, 26. Madeleine CASPERS, 32. Bianca GALIC
Substitutes not used: 29. Alyse OPPEDISANO (gk)
