W-League finals preview: Sydney v Melbourne City and Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory previewed
There’s no bigger stage than international football and several Matildas hopefuls will be desperate to prove they belong at the top during W-League finals. See our full semi-final previews.
A-League
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It’s the most heavyweight set of finals the A-Leagues Women has ever seen – with silverware and Matildas caps potentially up for grabs.
With this weekend’s four semi-finalists boasting nine championships between them, and an extended finals series in place for the first time, four playing squads bruised by Covid-affected schedules are steeling themselves for the season crescendo.
Under the new finals structure, Sydney FC as Premiership winners host second-placed Melbourne City, with the winner going straight to the grand final – and getting a crucial weekend’s rest – while the loser faces the victor in Sunday’s clash between Adelaide United and reigning champions Melbourne Victory next weekend.
City are the most successful club in the history of the competition, with four championships, ahead of Sydney with three, and Victory’s two. Adelaide loom as rank outsiders, having never even made the finals before, but have a golden opportunity to make further progress with a home clash at Coopers Stadium.
The rain in NSW looks to have cleared just in time for Sydney FC to take on Melbourne City at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, with the Sky Blues still motivated by losing last year’s grand final in the last minute of extra time after taking out the Premiership.
Sydney captain Natalie Tobin said her side is well aware of the threat posed by City’s free-scoring striking duo of Hannah Wilkinson (12 goals) and Rhianna Pollicina (10 goals), as they look to expunge the memory of last year’s heartbreak.
“We can take that experience that we had last year of winning the premiership and then having that defeat in the grand final and take it take it to City who I guess seem to be our strongest competitors this year,” said Tobin. “Yeah, we’re definitely fired up to win the championship. The last two grand finals we’ve lost, so hoping it’s third time lucky this year.
“We know who City’s threats are, it’s about shutting down Hannah Wilkinson and Rihanna Pollicina now. They’ve both been on fire this season and they’ve very much the attacking threats.”
Melbourne Victory, meanwhile, just made it into the finals on goal difference in their final game after enduring a run of incessant fixtures thanks to earlier Covid and weather-related postponements.
Jeff Hopkin’s side travel to Adelaide determined to defend the title they won last season, buoyed by the form in goal of former Matildas shotstopper Casey Dumont.
Having missed last season through a ruptured Achilles, Dumont feared this campaign was over a fortnight ago after being carried off following a heavy challenge – but was able to take her place in goal for last weekend’s finals-clinching draw with Canberra, making a series of vital saves.
“That’s why wherever I go, she’s number one on my list of trying to get her to that club,” said Hopkins.
“She was fantastic (against Canberra) just in her own right, but when you know what’s happened … she was in the hospital with a suspected broken leg on the Saturday night, she was on crutches and a cast on the Sunday so to then get up and play the game (against Canberra) was just amazing, (that’s her) great character.”
PREVIEWS
A-LEAGUE WOMEN
FRIDAY
SEMI-FINAL 1
Sydney FC v Melbourne City
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Kick-off: 7.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
A place in the A-League Women’s grand final goes on the line as premiers Sydney FC host Melbourne City at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Friday night.
Sydney and City rotated top spot on the table as the regular season came to a close, with the Sky Blues just edging City to clinch the premiers plate. These teams have played twice this season to date, with both Sydney and City registering one win apiece.
The Sky Blues’ loss to City was their only defeat of an otherwise imperious season; Sydney will be eager to set the record straight against a potential grand final opponent on Friday night, with the loser staying alive in the finals with a second chance next weekend.
SUNDAY
SEMI-FINAL 2
Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory
Coopers Stadium
Kick-off: 4.05pm AEDT
TV: P+, Network 10
Golden Boot winner Fiona Worts will be out to strike Adelaide United through to the next round of the A-League Women’s finals as Melbourne Victory travel to Coopers Stadium for the second time in three games.
The Reds won 3-0 over their semi-final rivals last time out; if the Reds repeat that feat Victory will crash out of the finals in this do-or-die clash on Sunday afternoon. The winner will proceed to face the loser of Sydney FC v Melbourne City for a place in the grand final.
A-LEAGUE MEN
SATURDAY
Brisbane Roar v Wellington Phoenix
Moreton Daily Stadium
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
Wellington Phoenix climbed into the top six with a dramatic midweek win over Newcastle Jets. Now Ufuk Talay’s side face the Roar, languishing at the foot of the table on a three-game losing streak, with the opportunity to further enhance their claim for a finals finish.
The last time these two sides met was on February 16 when Wellington made light work of Warren Moon’s side in a 3-0 triumph.
Western United v Melbourne City
AAMI Park
Kick-off: 5.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
It’s a mouth-watering top of the table clash at AAMI Park on Saturday between two sides locked on 32 points and pulling clear of the chasing pack.
City went back above Western into top spot on the A-League Men’s table with a 3-1 win over Macarthur FC on Wednesday night. Jamie Maclaren pulled further ahead in the Golden Boot race with his 11th strike of the season as the champions ramp up their pursuit of silverware this season.
City have scored 36 goals this season, 11 more than any other side in the competition – but to win on Saturday they’ll need to break down the league’s most stubborn defence: Western have conceded just 12 goals thus far, half of City’s total in the same category.
Perth Glory v Sydney FC
HBF Park
Kick-off: 7.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
Perth Glory’s long-awaited homecoming ended in 2-1 defeat at the hands of Adelaide United on Sunday afternoon. Now, Richard Garcia’s side will look to capitalise on their first full week at home since November, 2021 to take maximum points from this clash with Sydney FC.
The Sky Blues bucked a five-game winless run this week with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Kaya F. C. – Iloilo in the AFC Asian Champions League preliminary round. Adam Le Fondre and Bobô both returned to the scoresheet with two goals each; head coach Steve Corica will hope the Champions League goals translate into A-League Men’s form.
Macarthur FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
Campbelltown Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm AEDT
TV: P+, Network 10
A 2-0 win over rivals Sydney FC was just what the doctor ordered for Mark Rudan’s Western Sydney Wanderers, who approach their clash with Macarthur FC with momentum after a challenging run of five games which garnered just one win and four losses.
The Bulls are winless in three having been easily dispatched by Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City in consecutive games. But facing the Wanderers at Campbelltown Stadium should give Ante Milicic’s side a boost; led by the individually brilliant Ulises Dávila and Craig Noone, the hosts have ample firepower to turn any form slump around with the flick of a switch.
SUNDAY
Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets
Coopers Stadium
Kick-off: 7.15pm AEDT
TV: P+
Heartbreak in midweek for Newcastle Jets sends Arthur Papas’ side into the weekend with desperation to bounce back from their 3-2 loss to Wellington Phoenix.
Adelaide United, meanwhile, are flying in the A-League Men’s, with supersub Mohamed Toure proving the difference of late. The teenage speedster came off the bench to score the winner for his side for the second time in four games as the Reds travelled to Perth to steal all three points on Sunday, March 6.
Carl Veart’s side will need to be wary of the class of Jets creator Daniel Penha and his partner in crime Beka Mikeltadze. The Georgian striker has eight goals to his name this season, with Penha notching eight assists to date.
TUESDAY
Perth Glory v Central Coast Mariners
HBF Park
Kick-off: 10.05pm AEDT
TV: P+
Perth’s third home game in nine days will play out against the Mariners on Tuesday night. The visiting side will be wary of Glory’s resilience; last time these two sides met a last-gasp goal from Daniel Stynes nicked a point off the Mariners at the death.
Central Coast have been prone to a late collapse this season but coming from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Melbourne Victory midweek will give Nick Montgomery’s side confidence heading into this Tuesday-night clash.
WEDNESDAY
Adelaide United v Western Sydney Wanderers
Coopers Stadium
Kick-off: 7.35pm AEDT
TV: P+
Two former National Soccer League foes go head-to-head in opposing technical areas on Wednesday night as Carl Veart’s Adelaide host Mark Rudan’s Western Sydney at Coopers Stadium.
The Reds and Wanderers are yet to face off this season. Adelaide are firmly entrenched in the top six, and that’s just where the visitors aim to be – a win over the fancied Reds is exactly what Rudan’s side need to make their finals aspirations that little bit more achievable.
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