AFTER a devastating 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar last week, Sydney FC return to Queensland to take on the reigning champions in today's semi-final.

Last week's close match ended with a disappointing own goal from Sydney's Teresa Polias, a mistake the team are desperate to make up for one week on. Sydney midfielder Kylie Ledbrook said the team had moved on and would be firing for the semi-final.

''A loss is a loss. I think we were better than them on the day, we just didn't finish our chances,'' she said.

''We know it's do or die and we know it's always going to be a challenge against Brisbane.''

Key Sydney striker Kyah Simon said she was relishing the opportunity to finally get a win on the board in the W-League version of State of Origin.

''Obviously, coming off the loss to Brisbane in Brisbane, we'll be looking to get one back and what better way to do it than winning a semi-final,'' she said.

For the first time in three seasons, the highly anticipated face-off between Sydney and Brisbane will not occur in the grand final, the winner today will play either Melbourne Victory or the undefeated Canberra side. Brisbane may have the psychological edge over the Sky Blues, with a draw and a win over their old foes heading into the home-ground semi-final. But Ledbrook said that might work to Sydney's advantage.

''Now we're the underdogs and sometimes it's better to be the underdog, there's no real pressure on us coming from [that] position,'' she said. ''It's always hard playing away from home and knowing the crowd is against you, but I know we've got a lot of supporters going up. It's just a matter of focusing on our game and ignoring the crowd.''

Ledbrook said the side had worked on finishing in their final training sessions to ensure there would be no missed opportunities to score against the Roar. She said Sydney would be aiming to strike early and capitalise on the strong defence they demonstrated last week.

''We've done a bit of shape play in training, working on our defensive shape and knowing when to pressure them as a back four,'' she said.

''If we can get them up in the top end, it'll be a plus for us to get an easy goal away.''