Northern Tigers crowned 2024 Sapphire Cup Champions
Northern Tigers have secured their first major trophy at Valentine Sports Park, prevailing 2-1 over Sydney University SFC to claim the Sapphire Cup.
Northern Tigers threatened from the off, almost opening the scoring inside just a minute.
Off a corner, Charlotte Mortlock almost netted a stunning ‘olimpico’ hitting the nearside post, before the ball fell to Hannah Mcnulty, who subsequently dragged the follow-up wide.
Tigers dominated the opening ten minutes of the game, putting heavy pressure on their opponents with their high press.
However, in the 8th minute Sydney Uni had a strong chance to respond, with a dangerous free kick from Annabel Martin forcing a stunning save from Aimee Hall.
The game evened out following Uni’s chance, with both sides looking to play exciting, positive football, featuring a myriad of shots at goal.
But in the 22nd minute, it was the Tigers who opened the scoring of the Sapphire Cup final, capitalising on a wide set piece to net the crucial first goal.
A dangerous ball in from Mortlock found the head of Nicola Dominikovich, who flicked the ball threateningly to the back post.
Her header found the foot of Isabella Keech at the back post, who bundled the ball home to give Northern Tigers the lead at Valentine Sports Park.
Just 30 seconds later, Uni almost provided an instant response, with a shot from Talia Kapetanellis devastatingly hitting the woodwork, with the exciting winger finding herself free at the back post inside the box.
In the 29th minute, Uni threatened once more, with a strong run and incisive pass in behind from Kapetanellis evading Blake Hughes and almost reaching Anna Hunt, who just couldn’t control the ball in what would have led to a one on one with goalkeeper Hall.
Six minutes later, it was the Tigers’ turn to threaten, as a cross from Abby Middleton found Hannah McNulty near the penalty spot, who just saw her shot deflected as she looked destined to double her side’s lead.
But as it looked like Tigers were heading into halftime with the advantage, Sydney Uni responded in stoppage time, converting a clinical counter-attack to equalise at Valentine Sports Park.
After winning back possession emphatically, Amelia Kirby slid a perfectly weighted pass in behind to Anna Hunt, who accelerated forwards to engage in a one on one with Hall.
From just inside the box, Hunt made no mistake calmly placing the ball around the goalkeeper and providing a crucial Uni goal to conclude an electric first half.
Both sides continued their positivity in the second stanza, threatening with shots from range in the opening five minutes.
In the 51st minute, it was Tigers who regained the lead, with an error leading to a goal from Bo Burton.
After picking up possession, Hannah Callaghan saw the ball slip out of her hands while angling for a throw, and her attempted clearance while on the ground was blocked by Burton.
With the goal gaping, the forward made no mistake, passing the ball into an empty net to reinstate Northern Tigers’ lead.
Three minutes later, Burton almost extended the Tigers’ lead, as a low shot just dragged wide of the far post, before they threatened again, with Callaghan coming out strongly to prevent danger after a stunning ball in behind from Hannah Mcnulty found Lily McMahon.
And the Tigers’ continued dominance paid off, with a bullet strike from McMahon earning her a penalty after cannoning off the arm of Maddison van Dijk.
But from the spot, McMahon was thwarted by Callaghan, with the goalkeeper making a stunning save to keep Uni well and truly in this match.
The Tigers remained in control of the match after the penalty stop, and almost found their third in the 64th minute, with Talia Kapetanellis preventing a sure-fire goal with a fantastic recovery run after a brilliant dribble and low cross from Mcnulty.
McMahon then went close two minutes later with a chipped effort that went narrowly over the bar.
Sydney Uni were producing a stellar effort to hold on, but needed to find a way back into the match with just 25 minutes remaining.
And it was, as expected, Kapetanellis who looked to turn the tide, threatening with a strike against the woodwork for the second time after taking on her marker strongly to create a counter-attacking opportunity.
In the 82nd minute Kapetanellis put Tigers’ lead in danger once more, receiving a ball in behind from Bianca Galic and driving at the defence, before seeing her effort go agonisingly wide of the post.
However, time was running out for Uni, and it was Tigers who had the next chance in stoppage time, with McMahon jinking inside and hitting a chipped effort just above the crossbar.
Northern Tigers saw the game out well, and secured the 2024 Sapphire Cup.
“An emotional rollercoaster really,” said Tigers coach Chris Wood on the game.
“To concede one just before halftime killed our momentum, but in the second half we took over with lots of opportunities to win the game.
“This group’s a fantastic group, it’s been a lot of hard work to this point and that’s what makes it so much sweeter.
“We’ve got a great dressing room and that’s the most important thing – the results are what they are but being surrounded by good people is the most important thing.”
Match Stats
Northern Tigers FC 2 (Keech 22’, Burton 51’)
Sydney University SFC 1 (Hunt 46’)
Player of the Match: Isabel Gomez (Northern Tigers)
Wednesday 21 August, 2024
Valentine Sports Park
Referee: Bec Mackie
Assistant Referees: Alexis Johnson and Mia Velarde
Fourth Official: Mikayla Ryan
Northern Tigers FC: 39. Aimee Hall, 2. Josie Wilson, 4. Isabella Keech, 6. Isabel Gomez, 7. Hannah Mcnulty (9. Shadeene Evans 78’), 11. Lily McMahon (C), 14. Beth Bernardi (12. Saffron Grass 84’), 15. Abby Middleton, 18. Nicola Dominikovich (74. Bo Burton 34’ (16. Olivia Cartwright 84’)), 19. Charlotte Mortlock (8. Jade Mcatamney 78’), 44. Blake Hughes
Substitutes Not Used: None
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Sydney University SFC: 61. Hannah Callaghan, 2. Annabel Martin, 3. Ashley Irwin, 4. Amelia Feeney, 7. Anna Hunt (25. Giuliana Nicholas 86’), 8. Jaime Beaufils (C), 11. Talia Kapetanellis, 17. Amelia Kirby, 18. Charlotte Hogan, 30. Maddison van Dijk (49. Olivia Vanderlaan 78’), 39. Ruby Egan Brown (6. Bianca Galic 45’)
Substitutes Not Used: 14. Charlotte Hampshire, 21. Chelsea Hromek
Yellow Cards: van Dijk 62’, Hunt 72’
Red Cards: None
Player ratings
Northern Tigers FC
- Aimee Hall – 7
Had relatively little to do but stood strong when required, making a great save in the first half to prevent Sydney Uni opening the scoring.
- Josie Wilson – 6
A solid performance from fullback, helping support attacks while remaining solid defensively
- Isabella Keech – 7
Solid at the back for Tigers and was at the back post to bundle home the opener.
- Isabel Gomez – 9
A sensational all round performance. Gomez’s exceptional dribbling, threatening passing and destructive tackling was crucial to Tigers’ dominance.
- Hannah McNulty – 8
Was a constant threat throughout, creating a few good opportunities for the Tigers to find a third goal.
- Lily McMahon – 7
Missed a penalty but an all-round strong performance for Tigers’ captain in attack.
- Beth Bernardi – 6
Made some good runs from midfield and put in a solid performance.
- Abby Middleton – 7
A few forays forwards from fullback to create chances, and strong out of possession.
- Nicola Dominikovich – 6
Looked threatening early on but was unfortunately substituted in thr 34th minute with a suspected concussion.
- Charlotte Mortlock – 7
A strong performance in midfield, providing the ball in for the first goal and threatening with her runs forwards on and off the ball.
- Blake Hughes – 7
Some exceptional carrying out of defence early on to help relieve pressure for her side, and a solid all-round performance.
Substitutes
- Bo Burton – 7
Was in the right place at the right time to net the winning goal and was strong after coming on.
- Jade Mcatamney – 6
Helped see out the match well.
- Shadeene Evans – 6
Some good hold-up play to help secure the win.
- Saffron Grass – N/A
Subbed on in the 84th minute.
- Olivia Cartwright – N/A
Subbed on in the 84th minute.
Sydney University SFC
- Hannah Callaghan – 6
Made up for an unlucky error with a strong penalty save to prevent a Tigers third goal.
- Annabel Martin – 7
A consistent threat with her long range passing and deliveries into the box.
- Ashley Irwin – 6
Solid for the most part against a strong Tigers attack.
- Amelia Feeney – 6.5
Like her centre-back partner, held her own against the wrath of Tigers’ forwards.
- Anna Hunt – 7
A good threat and netted a strong equalising goal.
- Jaime Beaufils – 6
Struggled to properly affect the game, but showed good composure on the ball in midfield.
- Talia Kapetanellis – 8
A constant threat every time she got the ball, hitting the woodwork twice, and Winger a constant threat
- Amelia Kirby – 7
Active out of possession and provided a great assist for Uni’s equaliser.
- Charlotte Hogan – 6
Kept things neat and tidy in midfield
- Maddison van Dijk – 6
Tidy on the ball but struggled to affect the game.
- Ruby Egan Brown – 6
Threatening in the box before coming off at halftime.
Substitutes
- Bianca Galic – 6
A couple of nice moments after coming on for the second half.
- Olivia Vanderlaan – 6
Didn’t have the time to impact the match after coming on in the 79th minute.
- Giuliana Nicholas – N/A
Came on in the 86th minute.
