Who best team in the top four is remains very much up for debate, Canberra United respond after two big losses, and Melbourne Victory celebrate Dub Week in Week 13 of the A-League Women.
Sydney FC declared themselves as the league’s in form side with a stunning 3-0 win over Melbourne City. Dario Vidosic’s defence had no answer for the deadly Cortnee Vine who scored one and set up the other for Madison Haley. Earlier Sarah Hunter opened the scoring with the best goal of her increasingly impressive highlight reel.
Following Vine’s performance against Melbourne Victory, she looks to have rediscovered her best form just in time for the Matildas camp.
Perth Glory travelled to face Western United in Ballarat. They showed no signs of rust despite not playing the two weeks as they dealt Western their second loss of the season. Susan Phonsongkham gave Perth the lead after earning and then converting a penalty kick. Emma Robers equalized for Western, before Alana Jancevski’s incredible free kick put The Glory ahead before new signing Hannah Blake sealed with win in injury time.
Melbourne Victory’s win over Western Sydney followed a similar pattern. Beattie Goad scored in the fourth minute after a typically breathtaking pass from Alex Chidiac.
Sophie Harding’s pace and composure gave The Wanderers an equaliser before Chidiac’s penalty kick put Victory ahead again. Tiffany Eliadis ended the game as a contest deep into injury time after the returning Catherine Zimmerman set her up after some strong wing play.
On Sunday, Canberra United put a tough fortnight behind then with a 3-0 win over the Newcastle Jets. In South Australia, Brisbane Roar headed home with a hard fought 1-0 win thanks to a Jessie Rasschaert goal.
Talking Points Week 14:
Sarah Hunter could be the next big thing
Sarah Hunter is in her third season of professional football. She is a regular starter for one of the competitions best sides, and has scored a clutch goal at a World Cup in front of a hostile crows. She is also 19 years old.
Hunter wear the number Six for Sydney FC, it is the same shirt that Chloe Logarzo wore during her decorated career at the club, but there is more that makes Hunter the heir to the Matildas star.
Hunter reads the game remarkably well. Not just for a young player, but any player. She attacks the penalty box at the right time and drops deeper when she needs to. As part of a midfield featuring 17-year-old Shay Holman and Sydney gun Mackenzie Hawkesby, Hunter’s role changes slightly game to game, but she is often among Sydney FC’s best contributors.
For her brilliant goal against Melbourne City, she waited at the edge of the penalty box. As the City defenders swarmed Madison Haley, Hunter held her position and stayed in space. When the ball was laid back for her, it looked like the danger was over. However her stunning strike dipped under the bar to give Sydney the first goal of the day.
Her hilariously nonchalant, slightly formal celebration summed up the feeling one gets from watching her play. She makes everything look easy. Kick360 has long been an admirer of the Sydney star. In a post Kyra Cooney-Cross A-League Women’s, we might be looking at the next dominant midfielder to emerge.
Dub Round was a fantastic initiative.
Melbourne Victory’s relationship with the fans of the mens and women’s teams has seen better days. That might be the understatement of the year, but the club made a unique effort to reach out to the A-League Women fans for their clash against Western Sydney.
The day was given the term Dub Round, and although it could have come sooner given the Women’s side’s recent success, the execution was faultless.
Prior to the match, members were invited to listen to a tactical talk by assistant coach Johnno Clemente. It was designed to be similar to that of which the team received mid week for prepare for specific opponents. It was a fascinating, heavily insight to how the team prepares their own players and plans for the opposition.
After the match, which ended in a 3-1 win to the home side, fans were again invited inside to have interviews and photographs with the players and the clubs impressive trophy haul.
It was an all ages event, with a group of children commandeering the active support drums, and an elderly woman persistently sliding into the queue to meet and congratulate the players.
It is not uncommon the the A-League Women players to interact with fans, but this more organized occasion was ideal for young fans or those who might not feel comfortable yelling out to them over the fence.
Overall, it was a great initiative that appeased both the selfie seeker and football nerds who attended.
Canberra United shrug off bad losses, with key inclusions.
Newcastle Jets hosted Canberra United in one of the more intriguing encounters of the weekend.
Canberra were looking to bounce back after consecutive 5-0 defeats, while The Jets had not won since week eight, and had replaced coach Ash Wilson with Gary Van Egmond..
The return of Grace Jale, and Nikki Flannery to the starting lineup instantly made Canberra look more dangerous. Newcastle made the decision to start with Tara Andrews on the bench, and go for a pacy attack, in hopes of catching out the visitors defence.
There was plenty at stake for both sides, and after a scoreless but attacking first half Canberra broke free to win 3-0
Goals to Laura Hughes, Michelle Heyman and a penalty to Grace Maher returned confidence to a Canberra side that desperately needed it.
It’s too early to say they are back, but Canberra rediscovered their mojo, particularly Chloe Lincoln who was excellent in goal, and put two horror weeks behind her admirably.
On the other side, the Jets did not get the famed “new manager bounce.” This marks the first time Newcastle have been held scoreless two games in a row.
Game to watch in week 14
Melbourne City meet Western United on Saturday with both sides in the unfamiliar position of needing to respond to a loss.
Each side conceded three goals, and with Western United still holding on to top spot, a win for them is vital, even with a game in hand.
Melbourne City were made vulnerable by Sydney FC’s pace, and will want revenge after a dramatic 3-1 loss in the last meeting between these sides.
They have the attacking talent to trouble any team, but if Western United can get a second win over the cross town rivals it will have big ramifications for both teams as the top four looks increasingly unpredictable.
