Following an opening Round victory over Brisbane Roar, Canberra United face the always tricky task of negotiating a trip across the Tasman Sea to the Capital of New Zealand as Wellington Phoenix lie in wait in Ninja A-League Round 2.
This will be Canberra’s third trip to Wellington and, it’s more than fair to say, they’ve not enjoyed their other ventures into foreign climes as the Phoenix have won both of the matches to date, by 0-5 in January 2023 and 0-2 twelve months later.
Indeed, Canberra have a poor record against the Phoenix, having been on the receiving end of a 0-3 home loss in February 2022 as well, Wellington’s first-ever win in the Women’s national competition, a result Canberra reversed in December of the same year, Michelle Heyman scoring twice.
Heyman doesn’t mind a goal against the Kiwis, the super-striker having bagged three of the four Canberra have scored in the five fixtures played between the pair, the third of her trio being the match-winner in the 1-0 success at McKellar Park in late March.
However, United enter the contest in fine confidence thanks to that Round 1 success against Brisbane Roar in front of the adoring United home support, a double from Maja Markovski helping the club on the way to the perfect start to the new A-League campaign.
The result was especially pleasing for Markovski who, prior to the match had only scored three A-League goals in her career, the gifted forward hopefully now in a rich vein heading into what promises to be an exciting encounter between the respective Capital clubs.
New Head Coach Antoni Jagarinec could not have asked for a better introduction to the leading role at the team in green, being happy with the result but realistic enough to realise that there is plenty of room for improvement ahead of what is sure to be a long and gruelling season.
A continuation of the form that has seen Canberra lose just one of their last six A-League matches would be another step towards creating the momentum that is vital for success in any sport.
MATCH DETAILS
Sunday 10 November 2024
Wellington Phoenix v Canberra United
(Porirua Park, 14:00)
Match broadcast Live on Paramount+ and 10Play
