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Sydney rain sees A-L, W-L games postponed

3 minute read

Sydney FC's A-League and W-League matches against Melbourne Victory in Kogarah have been postponed due to the city's torrential rain.

Melbourne Victory.
 Melbourne Victory. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Sydney's rain deluge has forced the postponement of A-League and W-League games between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.

Following a pitch inspection at Kogarah's Netstrata Jubilee Stadium at 12.30pm, the double-header was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

More than 100mm of rain had fallen in the 12 hours prior to the pitch inspection and with heavy rain expected to continue throughout the day, the pitch was considered unplayable.

"Unfortunately the field has been unable to drain the amount of rain that has fallen at the venue," Australian Professional Leagues commissioner Greg O'Rourke said.

The W-League at Kogarah was scheduled for 4.35pm, with the A-League fixture at 7.10pm.

Meanwhile, two other games on Saturday have been confirmed to go ahead following pitch inspections.

A-League newcomers Macarthur FC will play Western United in Campbelltown at 5.05pm and Newcastle's W-League team will host Canberra United at Newcastle No.2 Stadium at 6.35pm.

O'Rourke attended both Sydney pitch inspections today said there was a difference in the quality of the pitch given the drainage system at Campbelltown Stadium.

"With over 60mm of rainfall in the area over the past 12 hours, the drainage system in place at Campbelltown Stadium has cleared the field of any surface water and, while the rain will continue to fall, the pitch is in such a condition that the match between Macarthur FC and Western United FC can go ahead," he said.

In the postponed games, Sydney FC's W-League team had been hoping to secure the premiers' plate with a win over Victory but will now have to wait.

"We are desperately disappointed to have to postpone these games, but we have been left with little choice," Sydney FC chief executive Danny Townsend said.

"As a spectacle for our members and all football fans, any game played on the pitch in its current condition would not be satisfactory, particularly with the standards the A-League and W-League have set this season.

"There is also the issue of player safety to consider.

"Both games will be re-arranged as soon as possible, particularly our W-League match where we had a fantastic chance to claim the first piece of silverware of the season."

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