Canberra United are faced with a must-win match against Sydney FC on Sunday afternoon at McKellar Park as United look to stay in touch with the top four.
Canberra fell to fifth on the ladder after their 4-0 loss to the Western Sydney Wanderers last Thursday night, with only their goal difference keeping them out of a finals spot.
United co-captain Nikola Orgill said the 4-0 scoreline did not truly reflect the game, as United threw players forward in the second half to try and steal a point.
“During the first half against Wanderers, we were structurally sound and they didn’t have a lot of joy,” Orgill said. “But at 2-nill, we had to make a decision of whether we should go for it.
“With that comes risks and we were exposed at the back and we lost our structure in defence. It didn’t pay off on the day but on another day it could have turned out differently.
“I still think it was the right decision to go for the win.”
United will now have a couple of days off to freshen up before hitting the training pitch to prepare for two matches in the space of five days against two top four sides.
“It is nice around the Christmas period to have the chance to go home and spend some time with family and friends,” the captain said.
“It is really refreshing for the girls and I think we will all feel fresh come Sunday.”
Third-placed Sydney has opened up a five-point gap from United on the Westfield W-League ladder with five wins and two losses, but Orgill believes her side has the ability to cause an upset.
“Against Sydney FC, we want to really threaten their flanks and put more pressure on them,” Orgill said. “We were very defensively-focused against Wanderers, but we really want to go for it against Sydney.
“We have the attacking prowess up front to really win this match.
“Last year we had success against Sydney but they are a very good side and we can’t take them lightly. But we are also a good side this year so I’m sure they are concerned about us too.”
