A-League Women Finals: Keeper Casey Dumont saves the day for Central Coast Mariners as they advance to semi-final
A day after a sensational extra time goal from Melina Ayres sent Newcastle Jets through to the A-League women’s semi-final, goalkeeper Casey Dumont has stepped up to save the day for Central Coast and send the Mariners to the next stage of the finals.
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Melbourne Victory might be regretting their decision to not re-sign shot stopper Casey Dumont after she pulled off two impressive saves in the penalty shootout to send Central Coast Mariners into the semi-final.
Dumont, who has also played in the AFLW, has previously said how hurt she was at having to leave the Melbourne outfit after five seasons with the club.
She certainly made sure to show them what they had missed out on during the clash – making several crucial saves and putting her body on the line in regulation time.
But it was the two penalty saves and one she converted that earned Mariners the 4-2 penalty shoot out win- keeping their finals fairy tale alive.
A tight battle had been expected with Victory having finished just one point ahead of Mariners on the ladder this season.
Victory might have been more clinical had they not been missing injured striker Emily Gielnik.
Gielnik had played a key role in Victory’s success this season- scoring eight goals in 13 outings.
But a hamstring injury picked up while in national camp the week before the clash ruled her out.
Both sides had plenty of chances to close out the match though with Mariners Kyah Simon and Wurigumula missing huge chances to wrap up the game in regular time.
Instead the scores remained locked at the end of regulation time sending the match- like the earlier final between Western United and Newcastle Jets.
But unlike that game which Jets sealed out 4-2, neither team was able to find the net- leaving the winner to be decided by a penalty shoot out.
The moment Bianca Galic secured @CCMariners' first-ever Liberty A-League finals win! 🌴🔥#MVCvCCM#ALWpic.twitter.com/DsU7Hk80r2
— Liberty A-League (@aleaguewomen) April 14, 2024
It was tit for tat until Victory’s Alana Murphy’s and Paige Zois’ shots were saved by Dumont.
Just being in the finals is an impressive feat for the Mariners- who only rejoined the competition this season after a 15 year hiatus.
Simon, who has battled back from a horrible knee injury to play this season, said making the grand final would make her journey extra sweet.
It is the first time the Mariners have won a finals game – losing their 2009 semi-final against Brisbane Roar.
Mariners will now meet Sydney FC in the two-legged semi- final at 5.45pm on Saturday.
Newcastle Jets will play Melbourne City at 3pm on Saturday.
Ayres’ sensational extra time strike sends Jets into semi final
A sensational extra time goal from Melina Ayres has sent Newcastle Jets through to the A-League women’s semi-final – in what was a drama filled match.
Jets twice had the lead in regular time – but let Western United back in each time. With scores locked at 2-2 the match was forced into extra time.
Sarina Bolden, who scored the Jets first two goals, proved a menace to Western Untied but it was fellow striker Ayres who found the weaknesses and sent the ball sailing into the net to put Jets up 3-2 in extra time.
MELINA AYRES SCORES IN THE 101ST MINUTE 🤯 NEWCASTLE LEAD 3-2!
— Liberty A-League (@aleaguewomen) April 13, 2024
It’s her ð—»ð—¶ð—»ð˜ð—µ Liberty A-League finals goal - she just lives for the big occasion 🔥
Tune in on 10 Play & Paramount+ 📺#ALW#WUNvNEWpic.twitter.com/BlqwNHTkI3
Sophie Hoban made it a sure thing with the Jets fourth goal – her first in the A-Leagues.
The extra time nailbiter was just one element of what was a dramatic match after the lights turned off at the 55th minute – plunging fans, players and officials into darkness.
It took about 15 minutes for ground officials to solve the problem and play to resume – adding to what would become a very long game for the players.
Bolden scored the first goal of the game within the opening 11 minutes.
Her second coming via a penalty in the final minutes of the first half.
The injury plagued Western United were never out of the fight though – a penalty, this time in their favour – locking the scores at 2-2.
Play has been disrupted by a power outage at the venue.
— Western United FC (@wufcofficial) April 13, 2024
We are working to find a solution as quick as possible and will update when play resumes.#WUNvNEW
Jets keeper, Tiahna Robertson – called into the squad just two weeks ago when regular keeper Izzy Nino was suspended after being given a red card for a tussle with Victory’s Emily Gielnik, was made to work hard between the sticks.
The 21-year-old did well to handle the pressure – her efforts in the net keeping Jets’ in the game on multiple occasions.
With the clock winding down and a spot in the semi-final on the line tensions flared but neither team could break the deadlock – until Ayres answered the call in the first half of extra time – keeping Jets finals hopes alive and ending Western United’s hopes of avenging last season’s grand final loss.
BROADCAST WOES
While players found a new level for the final – the broadcast quality certainly didn’t. It has been an issue all season – with women’s matches seemingly covered by one, occasionally two shaky cameras.
It is understandable when the matches are played at second tier stadiums or grounds – but this match, an elimination final, was played immediately after Western United’s men’s team hosted Central Coast.
The quality of their broadcast was completely different – with VAR requiring enough cameras at the ground to cover every angle.
With just two women’s matches on this week – surely the APL could have paid the camera crew to hang around for the second match – given fans at home a better viewing experience.
There was just one commentator for the game – compared to the two given to the men’s game.
And at half time fans were once again left watching the miniroos players run around the field in silence – no experts dissecting the game or discussing key moments.
There isn’t just a gap between the treatment of the men’s and women’s games, it’s a chasm.
PARIS BLOW
Despite having pulled her boots on and training with the squad this week Chloe Logarzo wasn’t included in the Western United’s squad – casting more doubts about making a potential Olympic comeback.
Logarzo, who has had a horrible run with injuries this past two years, had been in fine form in the A-Leagues – even working her way back into the national team – before suffering a hip injury.
Smith had named Logarzo in the extended squad and said she was in the mix. Her absence hints that Logarzo didn’t pass the final fitness test.
TAKE A BOW BOLDEN
When the season started Sarina Bolden was clubless – after the season she has had with the Jets – the Philippines national team player is unlikely to have that problem again.
Bolden, who wasn’t re-signed by the Wanderers, joined the Jets in late November.
While it is a team sport there is little doubt the Jets season would have been dramatically different if Bolden hadn’t joined their squad.
She has scored 13 goals – and was the second highest goalscorer in the league behind Michelle Heyman.
Bolden, 27, only signed on with Jets for one season and with the club’s future in limbo the impressive forward will be a hot commodity this off-season.
WHAT’S NEXT
Newcastle Jets will come up against premiers Melbourne City in next weeks’ semi-final.
The semi-final will be played across two-legs – the winner being determined by the best aggregate score.
With Newcastle Jets future in the A-Leagues still in limbo with a new buyer yet to be found – they will be desperate for the win and will certainly put up a fight against City.
Logarzo returns for Western United finals fight
Chloe Logarzo has recovered from her hip injury and could be called on to aid Western United in their elimination final with Newcastle Jets this weekend.
Logarzo, who battled back from injury to be fit for the A-League’s season, has had an impressive season – scoring nine goals in her 17 outings.
It is her second season with United and after missing out on lifting the trophy in last year’s grand final the midfielder has made it clear she wants to win the championship this year.
Her hip injury several weeks ago – which also ruled her out of the latest Matildas camp and friendly against Mexico – was a massive blow for Western United who have also lost Adriana Taranto and Hannah Keane to serious knee injuries.
Western United coach Kat Smith – who was on Friday given a one-year-contract extension – said she was still unsure what role Logarzo would play in Saturday’s blockbuster.
“If you look back at Chloe’s journey, I mean before this little hiccup, she was back to a period of form and her performance got her back in the national team,” Smith said.
“She’s working incredibly hard to regain that physical state of being able to do that but mentally she hasn’t stepped any rung down the ladder in terms of what she’s applying to this group
“She has had her boots on this week and she’s been involved in sessions – it will be what part she can play tomorrow – and then hopefully what she’ll play after that in semi-finals football.”
Her return to fitness could create more selection headaches for Matilda coach Tony Gustavsson who is racing the clock to narrow down on his 18-woman Olympic squad.
Smith was brought into Western United mid-season after previous head coach Mark Torcaso opted to step down to focus on his role as coach of the Philippines women’s national team.
United had been in a form slump and struggling for consistency – Smith turned their season around – getting them back to finals for the second year in a row.
Grace Maher was stoked to know Smith would be back at the helm for the 2024/25 season.
“Kat came in at a time when we were struggling to find consistent form and it was a really good opportunity for the players to air out everything that we maybe felt could be improved on,” Maher said.
“Kat’s been nothing but great in taking that feedback and really listening to the players and also applying her own methods. She is very experienced.”
“It’s great for the club, for consistency and I think it will put us in good stead next year.”
But Maher isn’t thinking too far ahead to next season – the only thought consuming her mind is this weekend’s must win game.
Maher, just 24, has been playing in the A-League's since 2014.
“I think the one thing that I always come back to since winning that championship with Canberra, I’ve had too many semi-final defeats to bring up, but one of the biggest things for me is it’s a fight,” Maher said.
“Sometimes it’s not pretty and something you have to put your pride aside. You know that you want to play this beautiful game and follow your game plan but at the end of the day you have to earn the right to play.
“We are fully aware that finals football is a different breed and we are just making sure that everyone is up for the fight.”
Western United will play host to Newcastle Jets at 6.30pm on Saturday.
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