Canberra United host third placed Sydney FC at McKellar Park for Round 17 of the 2023/24 Liberty A-League Women’s season, in a highly anticipated encounter presented by community partner, the Gift of Life Incorporated.
The team in green will be looking to win back-to-back games at McKellar Park for the first time in close to twelve months. There has been an average of 2.4 goals per game across the last 10 games at the venue.
Off the back of a tough draw away to Perth Glory last round, Canberra come into this clash full of confidence. A dominant win against the league leaders Melbourne City a fortnight ago, was followed by the mammoth trip out west, ending in a hard-fought point against the in-from Glory.
Last time the two sides met was back in January, ending in a one-all draw, in the rescheduled round four clash. Sydney opened the scoring on that occasion, only for Michelle to equalise not long after and break sky blue hearts.
Young Matildas goalkeeper, Chloe Lincoln, was in fine form that evening, making eight saves as Sydney threw everything at Canberra for little to no success on the evening.
When the Sky Blues last came to McKellar Park, they left with their tails between their legs as Ellie Brush scored a late header to shatter their hopes of a win.
Canberra will have to look out for a handful of Sydney players. Goalkeeper Jada Whyman has the most clean sheets in the league, while forwards Princess Ibini and Cortnee Vine have been a danger to opposing defences.
Sydney will have problems of their own to deal with however. Michelle Heyman has been in deadly form as of late, scoring nine goals in her last eight games, rewarded with a re-call to the Matildas squad. The legendary striker has 12 goals and five assists to date this season.
Heyman’s partnership with Nickoletta Flannery has been nothing but clinical this season, with the pair directly involved in half a dozen goals together so far this season.
Serbian Midfielder Vesna Milivojevic is in some strong form this campaign, with nine goals. She has proven to be tough to handle for opposing defences, having been fouled 26 times so far this season.
MATCH DETAILS
Saturday 17 February 2024
Canberra United v Sydney FC
(McKellar Park, 17:00)
