Canberra United will be looking to get their second half of their Westfield W-League season off to the perfect start when they take on the Central Coast Mariners in Round Five at Canberra Stadium tomorrow.
Canberra United will be looking to get their second half of their Westfield W-League season off to the perfect start when they take on the Central Coast Mariners in Round Five at Canberra Stadium tomorrow.
The Canberra based side has turned the slow start to the season around with a draw and a win in the past two weeks and will be looking to continue to build on their confidence and form this weekend.
Losses to Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC in the first two rounds saw Canberra sitting on the bottom of the ladder but their latest results have seen them move up into six and within striking distance of the top four.
A much deserved result this weekend against the Central Coast Mariners should see the side-s finals campaign back on track according to head coach Ray Junna.
“This weekend-s match is very important for us,” Junna said.
“After our first win of the season last week, a result this weekend will see us keep in touch with the top four.
“We-ve been playing fairly consistently all season, we just haven-t been getting the results so if we turn up and give our usual performance and get the goals, which I-m confident we will, we-ll give it a shake tomorrow.”
Despite having never played at Canberra Stadium, Junna believes this weekend-s ‘away- fixture will advantage Canberra United in terms of both psychologically and physically.
“We haven-t played there before and it-s a fairly big ground as well so it-s will be a bit more physically taxing for the girls so it will be interesting to see how we cope in that sense,” Junna said.
“The bonus is that in all the games we-ve played so far this season we-ve finished stronger so it will be a test to see where we are physically as well.
“Not having to travel really helps as well.
“Without the need to travel up the night before, it means the players can stay at home and go through their normal routine certainly will be an advantage to us.”
The second half of the season certainly isn-t going get any easier for Canberra United with fixtures against Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory at home in the following two weeks ensuring that a result this weekend is vitally important.
“All the teams we-re playing in the next few weeks are above us on the ladder so getting results against them are going to be important,” Junna said.
Junna credits the positive home results this year on the fantastic local supporters and is calling on them to turn up in their masses to help his side over the line in what would be a huge result for the club.
“The last couple of home games we-ve had have been a huge advantage to us.”
“The crowd is going to be a little bit further away from us this week compared to McKellar Park but we-re hoping that we get the numbers to come and support the local team and help up get a result.”
Canberra United will take on the Central Coast Mariners is a double header at Canberra Stadium on Saturday which will also see the Gosford based club line up against Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League kicking off at 7:00pm.
Saturday, 31st October 2009
Central Coast Mariners v Canberra United
Canberra Stadium, Canberra
Local kick: 4:15pm
Canberra United squad: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS, 2. Rebecca KITING, 3. Bronwun STUDMAN, 4. LIN Chiung Ying, 5. Kahlia HOGG, 6. Ellie RAYMOND, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 10. TSENG Shu O, 11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI, 12. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Nicole SYKES, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Jocelyn MARA
*One to be omitted
In: 3. Bronwyn STUDMAN (promoted), 6. Ellie RAYMOND (promoted)
Out: 8. Emily van EGMOND (international duty)
Unavailable: 17. Christine WALTERS (calf – indefinitely), 18. Sally SHIPARD (waiting for clearance)
