Sydney FC coach Alen Stajcic says his side face a massive challenge if they are to regain their W-League crown despite routing arch-rivals Brisbane Roar to move level on points with ladder-leaders Canberra.
2010 winners Sydney trail Canberra on goal difference only after the reigning champions recorded a 3-1 comeback win over Adelaide United.
Sydney dominated two-time champions Roar on Saturday as they created numerous goalscoring opportunities in a 3-1 win, claiming a degree of payback after the Roar eliminated the Sky Blues in a highly-contentious semi-final last season.
On that occasion, Stajcic and prolific Sydney striker Kyah Simon were sent off as tempers boiled over, however the first meeting between the pair since proved to be relatively low key with just one caution issued.
Although matches between the two traditional W-League heavyweights are usually tight affairs, Stajcic says his side could have enjoyed a far greater winning margin.
"We had some wonderful patches of play at times," said Stajcic.
"We didn't execute well enough in attack in some instances but, on another day, we could have scored five or six.
"We had a goal disallowed which looked a fair goal and Alanna Kennedy had a shot tipped onto the crossbar."
The Sydneysiders' playing stocks will be hit hard during November with at least five players set to be called into Australia's squad for the East Asian Championship qualifiers, missing two rounds of the W-League.
With last season's strugglers Adelaide and Perth Glory already having enjoyed a brief stint at the top of the ladder, Stajcic says this season's competition could be the closest in the league's five-year history.
"The league will be extremely tight this year and I can't see anyone going on lengthy unbeaten runs like previous seasons," he said.
"The field has really levelled out with the talent disseminating throughout the competition.
"Despite our win, Brisbane will be a different proposition once Elise Kellond-Knight and Tameka (Butt) come back from injury, plus Katrina Gorry is a great addition for them."
The competition ladder remains congested after three rounds with seven of the eight teams having claimed a win.
Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers were both victorious on the weekend to move off the bottom. New club Wanderers secured their maiden win with Trudy Camilleri hitting both goals in a 2-0 win as Perth Glory were pushed off top spot.
Embattled Melbourne Victory claimed a hard-working 1-0 win against Newcastle Jets in Geelong for their first points, having lost young star Ash Brown and skipper Louisa Bisby to season-ending injuries the previous weekend.
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