Canberra United is preparing for a grudge match against the Central Coast Mariners in Round Eight of the Westfield W-League when the two sides meet at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night with finals on the line.
Canberra United is preparing for a grudge match against the Central Coast Mariners in Round Eight of the Westfield W-League when the two sides meet at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night with finals on the line.
After going down 2-1 to the Mariners courtesy of two bizarre goals from in Canberra United-s first home games this season, Canberra will be seeking revenge this weekend with only three rounds remaining.
“This is definitely a bit of a grudge match for us,” Canberra United midfielder Amy Chapman said.
“We were all pretty disappointed that our first home match against the Central Coast Mariners we lost in unusual circumstances but hopefully we can have a bit of luck our way this weekend.”
“This is the first time we-ve played a team twice and I think we were unlucky not to get away with the points last time when [the Central Coast Mariners] had some interesting goals, so hopefully if we play some good football this weekend we-ll come away with the points.”
There-s little doubt that the importance of this match is not lost on the players, with a win ensuring that destiny remains in Canberra United-s hands with both sides vying for a spot in the finals with Canberra in 5th and the Mariners sitting in 6th.
“We-re at the tail end of the season so we-re really looking to get some points and to hopefully get into the final.”
“It-s a must win for both of us with three games left in the season and there-s only one win away from being in seventh spot to second spot so definitely a big game for us this weekend.”
“You can look back and say that we-ve played well but on paper it doesn-t get you anywhere.”
“We need to be in the finals because we know that we-re good enough to be there and we could even be in contention for win it so if we play quality football this week and we take our chances we should be [in the finals].”
Injuries have hampered Canberra United-s preparations for this vital clash with further casualties mid week adding to the woes with Sasha McDonnell ruled out of the Mariners match after rolling her ankle at training on Tuesday and Gill out of action for the remainder of the season.
Chapman has a knock of her own to contend with but is confident the casualty ward won-t affect the match.
“I-ve had a bit of trouble with my glut this week but I trained fully last night and I-m pretty happy with how it went,” Chapman said.
“We-re missing Grace Gill who-s been one of our most consistent players this season but last time we played the Central Coast we didn-t have Caitlin Munoz who is also capable of scoring some goals.”
“We tried a few things at training last night but we-ve got to see how players turn out on the day with injuries but I think we-re going to play more attacking football again but perhaps put another in the backline and start with four in defense.”
Following her spectacular goal against Sydney FC last weekend, Caitlin Munoz will start upfront with Ashleigh Sykes as Canberra United will be reverting back to a classic four-four-two formation.
Cian Maciejewski will slot in for Grace Gill as a defensive midfielder and Hayley Crawford filling the attacking midfielder-s role in the middle while Kara Mowbray is likely to return to the starting eleven.
Despite the Mariners 6-0 drubbing of Adelaide United last weekend, Canberra United will be remains confident of coming away with the three points no matter how.
“We-re definitely confident and all the players know that we need to play some quality football but we-ve played quality football in the past and not come away with the points so even if we have to play ugly football to win that-s what we-re going to do.”
Canberra United will line up against the Central Coast Mariners at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night in Round Eight of the Westfield W-League.
Saturday 13 December
Central Coast Mariners v Canberra United
Parramatta Stadium, O-Connell Street, Parramatta
Local kick off 6.00pm AEDT
Referee: Kirralee Gardener
Central Coast Mariners: 1.Emma-Kate DEWHURST (gk), 2.Caitlin COOPER (c), 3.Lyndsay GLOHE, 4.Rachael DOYLE, 5.Jodie BAIN, 6.Karina ROWETH, 7.Teresa POLIAS, 8.Renee ROLLASON, 9.Ellyse PERRY, 10.Kyah SIMON, 11.Stephanie HAIM, 12.Gill FOSTER, 13.Trudy CAMILLERI, 15.Elizabeth O-REILLY, 16.Kathryn PRYER, 17.Britt SIMMONS, 18.Emma STEWART, 19.Hayley ABBOTT, 20.Lisa HARTLEY (gk), 23.Jenna KINGSLEY
*Five to be omitted
In: 9.Ellyse PERRY, 11.Stephanie HAIM (return from Australian School Girls), 15.Elizabeth O-REILLY (return from Australian School Girls), 17.Britt SIMMONS, 18.Emma STEWART (return from Australian School Girls), 19.Hayley ABBOTT (return from Australian School Girls)
Out: 25.Brooke STARRETT
Unavailable: Nil
Canberra United : 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 3.Amy CHAPMAN, 4.Bronwyn STUDMAN, 6.Caitlin MUNOZ, 7.Ellie BRUSH (c), 8.Rebecca KITING, 10.Hayley CRAWFORD, 11.Cian MACIEJEWSKI, 12.Kara MOWBRAY, 13.Thea SLATYER, 14.Ashleigh SYKES, 15.Nicole SYKES, 16.Snez VELJANOVSKA, 17.Christine WALTERS, 18.Lucy ALLAN, 19.Jennifer BISSET, 20.Maja BLASCH (gk)
*Two to be omitted
In: 4.Bronwyn STUDMAN (promoted), 15.Nicole SYKES (promoted), 16.Snez VELJANOVSKA (promoted), 17.Christine WALTERS (promoted), 18.Lucy ALLAN (promoted), 20.Maja BLASCH (gk) (return from Australian School Girls)
Out: 2.Rhian DAVIES (injured quad – 1 week), 5.Sasha MCDONNELL (injured ankle – 1 week), 9.Grace GILL (injured ankle – 4 weeks)
Unavailable: Nil
