Canberra United captain Kendall Fletcher believes her side only has themselves to blame after crashing out of the W-League finals in Monday's disappointing 3-0 defeat to Sydney FC.
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Fletcher's side had 61 per cent of possession in the knock-out semi-final against the premiers, but failed to capitalise after leading scorer Michelle Heyman pulled out of the match with a quad injury.
"I think we definitely dominated play but we struggled to necessarily get some shots on goal," Fletcher said.
"We had a few crosses, a few opportunities, especially one real early.
"But that's the way soccer goes isn't it... you can dominate possession, dominate the game [and still lose the match]."
Goals to Mackenzie Hawkesby, Clare Wheeler, and Ally Green at Kogarah Oval booked Sydney's ticket to the W-League grand final.
Heyman had scored 10 goals in 12 matches for United this season, but Fletcher refused to use her absence as an excuse.
"Well obviously you're going to miss a player like Michelle Heyman and what she's done this season just in-terms of scoring goals and what she helps us do in the attacking third," Fletcher said.
"However, I think we've played really well as a team throughout the season. We're more than just one player.
"I don't think we had the fire power in the final third when we necessarily needed to."
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The loss marked an end to Vicki Linton's first season as coach of Canberra United.
"It's a great group and we said from the beginning this group of players love playing for Vicki. I think all of us would love the opportunity to [stay together next season]," Fletcher said.
"I think we all feel that way - which is a great way to go through a season. We did it together the whole way from beginning to end, and we can be very proud of that."
Sunday's W-League decider is shaping up as a blockbuster, after Victory booked their passage with a 6-2 thumping over second-placed Brisbane Roar on Sunday.