Canberra United will head into their Round Four clash with the Melbourne Victory on Saturday full of confidence despite remaining winless in their 2009 Westfield W-League campaign.
Canberra United will head into their Round Four clash with the Melbourne Victory on Saturday full of confidence despite remaining winless in their 2009 Westfield W-League campaign.
With losses to Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC in the opening two rounds, head coach Ray Junna believes that last weekend-s come from behind draw with the Perth Glory was as good as a win for his side.
“Coming back from two-nil down and to almost pinch the victory was definitely a positive in the team-s character building,” Junna said.
“Even though it was a draw, it was more like a win psychologically for the girls so going into the next game we-re certainly in the right frame of mind.
“Hopefully we can use this newly found confidence and keep on rolling on.”
A possible turning point in Canberra United-s season, the result last weekend saw the side move off the bottom of the ladder and confident ahead of take on the Victory, a side they-ve never lost to.
“We-ve just been unfortunate with the goals we-ve conceded due to our inexperience,” Junna said.
“Hopefully the players learn from their mistakes and not allow for soft goals which will see us on the other end of the score line.”
Junna praised his young side-s mental toughness and fitness as they stuck at it for the full 90 minutes and came from behind to record their first point this season in 37 degree heat.
“Our players have never thrown in the towel so to speak, always encouraging them to keep on going because it is a 90 minute game and at the highest level results usually do favour the team that plays for the full 90 minutes,” Junna said.
“Games certainly are not over until the final whistle so just by hanging in there you never know.”
“They-ve really done well in the last three games in that aspect and I think we-ve got a young and mentally strong team.”
Despite remaining winless after three rounds, the players remain very positive about the season as they look to replicate their first season feats of contesting the Westfield W-League Grand Final.
“Training has been good all the way through the campaign, I certainly can-t fault them at that,” Junna said.
“Even when we lost the first couple of games, I didn-t see any signs of players being disappointed or down in the dumps.
“We-ll just keep on keeping on and plugging away.”
Saturday, 24th October 2009
Canberra United v Melbourne Victory
McKellar Park, Canberra
Local kick-off: 5:00pm
Canberra United squad: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (c), 2. Rebecca KITING, 3. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 4. LIN Chiung Ying, 5. Kahlia HOGG, 6. Ellie RAYMOND, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Emily VAN EGMOND, 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 player to be omitted*
In: 2. Rebecca KITING, 8. Emily VAN EGMOND
Out: Nil
Unavailable: 17. Chistine WALTERS (calf – indefinitely), 18. Sally SHIPARD (waiting clearance)
