With next to nothing between the two teams, the visit of Melbourne Victory to McKellar Park to take on Canberra United in Round 18 of the Liberty A-League, presented by the University of Canberra, has taken on even greater significance.
Victory have been regular visitors to the national capital over the years and always provide eye-catching opposition with matches keenly fought and contested throughout. This one is likely to be no different.
At the time of writing, Victory have a five-point advantage over Njegosh Popovich and his team meaning that Canberra needs a win in this game to keep alive hopes of a top four place and a spot in the end of season finals.
Earlier this season, Victory squeezed home by a single goal to nil in Victoria, in a match that could have gone either way, and Canberra will be hoping for slightly more fortune in front of goal than they had at Wanderers Football Park on Sunday, having to settle for a 1-1 draw at Western Sydney Wanderers.
Playmaker Vesna Milivojevc netted the Canberra goal, a sensational strike from the edge of the penalty area which brought her team back on terms and her performance could be critical, alongside that of leading scorer Michelle Heyman who suffered a rare off-day in front of goal last weekend.
The teams have often traded players down the years, United States international Kendall Fletcher has donned the colours of both Canberra United and Melbourne Victory with huge success, the popular midfielder having bene a firm fans favourite in her time in green.
Hayley Raso made her competitive debut for Canberra and had a short stint with Victory whilst Thea Slatyer and Emma Checker also appeared for both teams during their Liberty A-League careers.
This match will mark Ellie Brush’s last home game as a Canberra United player. Her incredible stint in green in Canberra, over two spells with the club, will conclude at the full-time whistle and United are calling on all fans to ‘Pack the Park’ and send Ellie off in style.
The team need your support more than ever. Three points is a must. Get to McKellar and back YOUR team in green.
MATCH DETAILS
Liberty A-League
Canberra United v Melbourne Victory
(McKellar Park, 15:00)
Gates Open at 14:00
