Canberra United will be aiming to bounce back from a Round 6 loss to Brisbane when they face Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon.
The clash is a rematch of last season’s semi-final, where Jess Fishlock’s extra-time goal was enough to sink Premiers Canberra and send City through to the Grand Final.
United will be without star forward Ashleigh Sykes this weekend after she injured her ankle in a tackle against the Roar, and Head Coach Heather Garriock will need to re-tool her still formidable attacking lineup.
Caitlin Munoz and Liana Danaskos both return to the squad in midfield for the clash, and the match will be keenly fought out in the middle of the park. Fishlock and Yukari Kinga are formidable foes for United’s young side, and Munoz’s experience if she starts will be valuable in that role.
Speaking on Friday ahead of the match, midfielder Grace Maher said that the side have looked extensively at what went wrong against the Roar, but aren’t condemning themselves after the loss
“We worked on what went wrong, what we were poor at but also what we did right,” Maher said.
“We have made slight adjustments in how we play out and who we are playing out through.
“And giving us a bit more strength in the midfield, with a bit more creativity and experience that will help this weekend.”
“I think a loss in a short season does do some damage, but definitely not knock us out of any finals contention. As long as we continue to win and play well we will put ourselves in a good spot for the finals.
United recorded a famous victory on the 10th December one year back, on the day when Karly Roestbakken became one of the league’s youngest scorers at 15 years of age to sink the reigning Premiers and Champions.
A repeat of that will be on everyone in Green’s mind as they take to the pitch, and the clash will likely have a special feel for Roestbakken. She has played well in an enterprising wide role for Garrick this season and is in line for another start this weekend.
MATCH DETAILS |
Sunday, 10 December 2017
Melbourne City FC v Canberra United
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-Off: 4:30pm (Local) (4:30pm (AEDT))
Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Assistant Referee 1: Laura Moya
Assistant Referee 2: Joanna Charaktis
Fourth Official: Andrew Meimarakis
TV Broadcast: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 501 from 4:00pm (AEDT) and SBS VICELAND from 4:00pm (AEDT)
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #MCYvCBR
To purchase tickets visit www.w-league.com.au/tickets
Melbourne City FC: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (GK), 2.Yukari KINGA, 3.Lauren BARNES, 4.Ashley HATCH, 5.Lia MULDEARY, 6.Aivi LUIK, 7.Steph CATLEY (C), 9.Larissa CRUMMER, 10.Jess FISHLOCK 11.Rhali DOBSON, 13.Rebekah STOTT, 14.Alanna KENNEDY, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16.Sofia SAKALIS, 17.Kyah SIMON, 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 23.Melissa HUDSON (GK)
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 5.Lia MULDEARY (promoted), 16.Sofia SAKALIS (promoted),
Outs: nil
Unavailable: 20.Emily SHIELDS (wrist – indefinite)
Canberra United squad: 1.Haley KOPMEYER (GK), 3.Clare HUNT, 4.Toni PRESSLEY, 6.Caitlin MUNOZ, 8.Liana DANASKOS, 10.Grace MAHER, 11.Elise THORSNES, 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17.Maddy WHITTALL, 18.Taren KING, 19.Aoife COLVILL, 20.Amy SAYER, 21.Ellie CARPENTER, 23.Michelle HEYMAN (C), 34.Laura BASSETT, 36.Georgia Boric (GK)
**one to be omitted**
Ins: 6.Caitlin MUNOZ (promoted), 8.Liana DANASKOS (promoted), 19.Aoife COLVILL (promoted)
Outs: 7.Nicki FLANNERY (Illness), 14.Ashleigh SYKES (Ankle)
Unavailable: Nil
