Canberra United were forced to settle for a draw in the Capital Clash after a strong performance away to the Wellington Phoenix in Round Two of the Ninja A-League Women’s 2025/26 Season.
Head Coach Antoni Jagarinec made two changes to the squad from Round One, with Alex McKenzie and Kiara De Domizio coming into the starting side, the latter making her Canberra United debut.
United had the first real opportunity of the encounter, after Michelle Heyman was brought down outside the box. Nanako Sasaki stepped up to take the free-kick, but sent her effort over the goal.
Wellington had their first real chance 12 minutes in as Nepalese international Sabitra Bhandari forced a great save from Sally James, to deny the striker.
Just before the 20minute mark, and United took the lead through Josie Aulicino. Getting on the ball near Wellington’s byline, Aulicino got rid of her defender, before firing the ball in towards the back post with the hosts unable to clear, as the ball drifted into the back of the net for the lead.
With six minutes to go before the break, Wellington found an equaliser as Marisa Van Der Meer poked one home after a goal mouth scramble, off the back of a Wellington corner.
United had the chance to go back in front right on half-time, as Emma Robers saw her headed effort denied by a spectacular save from Victoria Esson in the Wellington goal.
Both sides started strong in the second half, but United had the first real effort of the second stanza as Bethany Gordon picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park, before driving a strong shot into the arms of Esson.
Chances were limited for much of the second 45, as both sides traded blows in search of the lead.
Coming into the match off the bench, Ava Briedis tried her luck with a long-range free kick, with Esson fumbling the save out for a corner.
United enjoyed a period of sustained pressure on the Wellington goal, with chances aplenty. The best of those chances came through Sasha Grove expertly lifting the ball over the defence towards Heyman, with the striker’s header straight into the arms of Esson.
Despite the late dominance, United could not find the goal needed for the three points, forced to settle for a draw in a bruising encounter.
The team heads to Adelaide in Round Three to take on the Reds, on Friday 14 November.
