Princess Ibini scores brace as Sydney FC breeze past Western Sydney Wanderers

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:11 am

New-look Sydney FC showed plenty of their old playing smarts with a Princess Ibini-inspired win over Western Sydney Wanderers in their W-League opener.

Ibini scored a double while new recruit Cortnee Vine added another in Wednesday's 3-0 romp at Bankwest Stadium.

Losing local stars Caitlin Foord, Chloe Logarzo and Alanna Kennedy as well as a trio of internationals for the 2020-21 season, the Sky Blues had every reason to be a little rusty in their opener.

But the three-pronged attack of last season's Golden Boot winner Remy Siemsen, Vine and Ibini proved more than a handful, suggesting a fifth grand final in six seasons would certainly remain an early goal for the club.

The Sky Blues made much of the initial running as Ibini in particular caused headaches for the Wanderers' right side defence.

Princess Ibini celebrates one of her two goals against Western Sydney.
Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Their issues resulted in yellow cards to Margaux Chauvet and Leena Khamis inside the first 14 minutes.

Siemsen failed to capitalise on a sweet chip by Vine in the 25th minute, hitting the crossbar, but the pair swapped roles to full effect just a minute later for the opening goal

Siemsen split the defence and this time turned provider for Vine who made no mistake from the centre of the box.

They couldn't add to the scorer's sheet for the rest of the half but asserted full control in the second period thanks to Ibini.

In the 60th minute she potted a superb goal from the edge of the 18-yard box and followed it up in the 86th minute after good lead-up work from Allira Toby.

Libby Copus-Brown tried hard in the midfield for the Wanderers and former Matilda Georgia Yeoman-Dale eased her way back into football after 18 months out through injury, but last season's surprise finalists rarely troubled their opposition.