Kerr, Foord star in W-League semi-finals
10th February 2019
Sydney: Despite finishing the regular season third and fourth respectively, Sydney FC and Perth Glory, will meet in the Australia's W-League Grand Final after national team stars Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord played key roles in semi-final wins on Sunday.
MELBOURNE VICTORY 2 PERTH GLORY 4 (after extra time)
A sensational individual display from Matildas star Sam Kerr, who scored a hat-trick, ultimately helped Perth to a dramatic extra-time win at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Melbourne Victory had entered the tie as league Premiers, and looked like continuing their fine run of form when American Christine Nairin's driven cross-cum-shot gave them the lead within two minutes.
But Kerr equalised with 16 minutes remaining, then provided the assist for Rachel Hill's header to make it 2-1 in the 86th minute, in what was only a partial indication of the drama to follow.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Melbourne's Grace Maher scored a scrambled equaliser to force 30 extra minutes, but it was then that 2017 AFC Player of Year Kerr took full control, scoring in the 97th and 107th minutes to take her season tally to 16 goals, and Perth to the Grand Final.
BRISBANE 1-2 SYDNEY FC
Sydney FC made it two wins from away teams as they held off a fast-finishing Brisbane Roar to secure a return to the Grand Final for the third time in four seasons.
The Sky Blues took the lead in the 33rd minute thanks to Foord's superbly struck effort from the edge of the penalty area, which whistled past goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold for her's sixth goal against Brisbane this season.
Ante Juric's side doubled their lead through American international Sofia Huerta in the 68th minute, before the two-time W-League Champions had ample chances to add to their lead and put the match beyond doubt.
Japanese World Cup-winner Yuki Nagasato gave Brisbane a lifeline in the second minute of added time, but it wasn't enough for Mel Andreatta's side, who were eliminated in a home semi-final for the second successive season.
Photos: www.w-league.com.auSource: the-afc.com