Canberra United have started the 2022/2023 Liberty A-League Womens season drawing to Perth Glory two-all in a tough encounter. Debut goals from Internationals Grace Jale and Vesna Milivojevic got United off to a bright start but were not enough to seal the three points.
United started the opening half brightly with Jale and Michelle Heyman going close in the opening stages of the match. Returning from an ACL injury, Nickoletta Flannery was a bright spark, as the pacey winger saw her early effort tipped over the bar just over 12 minutes in.
It mattered little however, as United scored off the resulting corner. An in-swinging corner from Grace Maher was met high in the air by Jale, with the forward heading home.
United dominated for a long period but the visitors held on, and their efforts were rewarded in the 35th minute. Getting up to meet a corner, Elizabeth Anton headed the ball across goal to the back post and into the goal.
Not to be undone, United got back in front just before the break with a well worked move finished calmly by Serbian International Milivojevic. With Maher charging through the middle of the field, Milivojevic found herself in space before receiving the ball and calmly slotting it into the back of the net.
Fatigue began to take it’s toll in the second half as Canberra missed a number of chances. It became an end to end encounter as both sides traded blows but neither could find that finishing touch.
That was until just after the hour mark as Perth once again levelled the scores through Gabriella Coleman, who calmly slotted in the ball into the bottom corner past the diving Chloe Lincoln.
Fresh legs were needed, with Milivojevic being replaced by Canberra United Academy Graduate Sofia Christopherson late in the.
Despite a strong finish to the game, United were unable to break the deadlock and had to settle for a two-all draw against Perth Glory.
United are back in action next week, travelling to face Brisbane Roar at Perry Park before returning home to McKellar to host the Wellington Phoenix.
