EXCLUSIVE: Leena Khamis’s fabulous winner for Sydney FC against Newcastle Jets on Saturday underlined her growing reputation as one of the W-League's brightest stars.
To see Sydney girls training...
The sky blue girls beat the heat and a gutsy Jets side to win 1-0 thanks to Khamis's first half strike at Seymour Shaw Park.
Khamis latched onto a through ball in the 24th minute and hit it powerfully into the roof of the net past Alison Logue to light up the ground.
And Khamis's form this season has also been a shining light for Sydney in what is shaping as a three-horse race for the W-League title along with Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar.
Khamis, 23, makes intelligent runs, can receive the ball well and lay it off and link with fellow striker Sarah Walsh and attacking midfielder Heather Garriock. And she can finish.
Her third goal of the season was worthy of a much bigger stage than 400 or so fans at Miranda."That was the best goal I've scored in my career," an exhausted Khamis told au.fourfourtwo.com after the game.
"We could've had more today but we just need a bit more composure in front of goals."
Khamis was last season's golden boot winner in the W-League with seven goals although this season it's the scorching form of Central Coast's Michelle Heyman who currently leads the scoring charts with eight.
With trademark white sunscreen daubed across her face, the Camden-born Khamis with the Assyrian heritage says her hero is Tim Cahill.
"I try to play like him, I even try to celebrate like him," she said of her own corner flag celebration.
Saturday's clash against the Jets was not without controversy with both sides unhappy with referee Peta McCallum's performance, which included as flurry of yellows and a red to Jets skipper Hayley Crawford. She also pointed the spot for a penalty against the Jets, much to the surprise of both sides.
Jets coach Wayne O'Sullivan described the ref's performance as "disappointing" saying it detracted from the game as a whole.
Sydney FC now look to this Saturday's afternoon's clash with Perth Glory to maintain their pressure on the top two of Roar and Central Coast.
The game at Leichhardt Oval is part of a double header that also features the Mariners versus Melbourne Victory.
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