In the W-League Round 9 wrap, we see time ticking away with in-form Melbourne City notching up another win to make it seven on the trot. Canberra United will be happy to see the end of a tough five days, conceding eight goals in two games (and 12 in the last three). Brisbane Roar’s timely demolition of Western Sydney Wanderers puts them in a good position in the race to the final four.
Melbourne City 4 – 0 Canberra United
Written by Angela Christian-Wilkes
Thursday night felt like a dream. Whether it felt like a fever dream or a time-travel dream specifically depends on your allegiances. In a performance that echoed their 2015-16 campaign, City brought home their most comprehensive win of the season against a weakened Canberra side.
Following a day of fan discussion around Matildas selection, Kyah Simon reminded everyone why she was rightfully included. She opened the scoreline at 5′, sending a wonderfully placed shot across the mouth and into the right hand corner. The midfielder demonstrated workrate and intensity, nearly nabbing another moments later.
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Canberra’s composure quickly unravelled. This was most noticeable by the return of a much-revered W-League trope: Sham Khamis taking out a striker. Busy Claire Emslie was the victim – twice. With Khamis unable to keep a grip on the ball, both opportunities translated into penalties (and thankfully, for Khamis, only one yellow card) – and goals in the 33rd minute (Emslie) and fourth minute of first half stoppage time (Simon). City were 3-0 up at halftime.
Whilst the second half saw Canberra keep City largely at bay, the home side didn’t hold off on the pressure in one of their tightest performances this season. Emily van Egmond sent home a banger at the 76th minute, amongst multiple corners and shots.
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Canberra’s second 4-0 loss this season presents multiple issues going forward – quite literally, issues going forward. Whilst Simone Charley is one of the paciest wingers in the league, her runs that outpaced the likes of Lauren Barnes often came to naught with her fellow strikers unable to keep up. Canberra are visibly lacking Katie Stengel‘s muscle and ability to hold up the ball in front of goal. By the end of the match, the midfield had resigned to kicking and hoping.
For City, morale will be high following the Wanderers’ shock loss. For Canberra, the Top 4 is nearly out of sight and it seems likely they will focus on saving face.
Western Sydney Wanderers 0 – 4 Brisbane Roar
Written by Eric Subijano
On Sunday afternoon, Brisbane Roar caused one of the biggest shocks of the season with a sensational 4-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at Marconi Stadium. The result sees Jake Goodship’s side move into the top four.
Brisbane’s aggressive, high-pressing approach seemed to have the Wanderers rattled from the opening whistle, and only excellent goalkeeping from Abby Smith, coupled with some last ditch defensive efforts, kept the game scoreless at halftime.
The Wanderers started the second period quite well, with Mackenzie Arnold making crucial saves from Kyra Cooney-Cross and Kristen Hamilton. However, the Roar opened the scoring when Allira Toby pounced on the rebound after Hayley Raso’s shot hit the post, and then the floodgates opened.
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Raso doubled Brisbane’s lead on the hour after forcing a turnover and finding the bottom corner from distance. It was 3-0 midway through the second half, Leah Davidson linking with fellow youngster Hollie Palmer and scoring her first W-League goal – Davidson also followed in the footsteps of Indiah-Paige Riley and Rylee Baisden by accomplishing this feat against the Wanderers. Toby rounded off the scoring soon afterwards when she capitalised on an error and pinged the ball into the top corner from outside the area.
(Images courtesy KLZ Photography)
Canberra United 0 – 4 Sydney FC
Written by Steffen Moebus
In this rescheduled Round 8 game, the home side was looking to bounce back from successive 4-0 losses, and would have had some belief of a result against a Sydney side that hasn’t been convincing in recent outings despite their ladder position. Canberra were indeed full of positive intent in the first half hour – much of it via the dangerous Simone Charley – but faltered in the face of two first half goals and ultimately never recovered, with Sydney’s experience and class coming to the fore the more the game wore on.
Remy Siemsen opened the scoring for the away side in the 18th minute, eluding her marker and heading Polias’ dead ball delivery with accuracy into the Canberra net.
A possession turnover in the 33rd minute saw Chloe Logarzo released down the left and squaring a ball back for Veronica Latsko, who drove the ball low and hard for Sydney’s second. Latsko showed today that her recovery from a long injury layoff is building nicely for Sydney FC’s finals push.
The first five minutes of the second half presented Canberra United with a hammer blow, Logarzo neatly flicking a Foord ball from the byline past Sham Khamis from a narrow angle.
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Canberra’s fate in this match was sealed by Sofia Huerta in the 84th minute with Foord again delivering another sublime cut back from the right, Huerta finishing with authority for Sydney’s fourth.
In this final instalment of an unwanted 4-0 loss trilogy, the home side may have just played Sydney FC into the type of form that the back end of the season requires. For their part, with only three games left, something extraordinary will need to happen for Canberra United to contest finals in season 2019/20.
Newcastle Jets – Adelaide United
The Round 9 match between the Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United has been postponed to Saturday February 1st, 7:30pm at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Round 10 action:
- Thursday 16/1 7:30pm AEDT – Sydney FC (2) v Brisbane Roar (4)
- Saturday 18/1 5:00pm AEDT – Melbourne City (1) v Newcastle Jets (7)
- Saturday 18/1 7:30pm AEDT – Adelaide United (9) v Melbourne Victory (5)
- Sunday 19/1 4:00pm AEDT – Western Sydney Wanderers (3) v Perth Glory (8)
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