Matildas World Cup hopeful Remy Siemsen has broken Western Sydney Wanderers' hearts by sealing victory for 10-woman Sydney FC in the first Sydney derby of the season.
After a see-sawing 82 minutes, super-sub Siemsen confirmed the 1-0 result with her first goal since returning to the A-League Women competition after a stint in Sweden.
Her powerful strike from just outside the box spoiled the Wanderers' hopes of causing the upset that had appeared possible when they came out of halftime firing.
Sydney captain Nat Tobin was shown a yellow card in the 32nd minute for a challenge on Wanderers recruit Melissa Caceres, who was streaking away up the left wing.
The referee gave the centre-back her marching orders in the shadows of halftime for a handball and reduced Sydney to 10 players for the remainder of the contest.
The dismissal swung the momentum from the defending premiers to the underdogs.
Before Tobin's red, the Wanderers had moved the ball well but only Sophie Harding appeared a chance to break the deadlock as Western Sydney struggled for rhythm in the final third.
The Sky Blues had better chances but could not turn pressure into goals, despite the efforts of star attacking trio Cortnee Vine, Madison Haley and Princess Ibini-Isei.
Most notably, Vine could not take advantage of an Ibini-Isei cross in the 25th minute, instead slipping over in the area and missing a great chance.
After managing only three shots to Sydney's 13 in the first half, Western Sydney came out of the sheds with renewed vigour and enjoyed the bulk of early opportunities.
An unmarked Harding crossed to Tess Boade on the burst in the 50th minute but the American could not ice the chance.
Shortly afterwards, the Wanderers lost Caceres to an apparent left hamstring injury and replaced her with Holly Caspers.
But it was Sydney's own substitute Siemsen who sealed the result with a beautiful goal that had the Sky Blue faithful out of their seats and surely would not have gone unnoticed by national coach Tony Gustavsson.
Sydney's win at Marconi Stadium means the Wanderers have not defeated their rivals since December 2019 and have not tasted victory at home since February 2021.
