Western United and Melbourne City prevailed in two crucial midweek clashes, with the former maintaining their perfect record of seven wins from seven games.
A boisterous and parochial City Vista crowd greeted Princess Ibini, Cortnee Vine and their Sydney FC teammates on Wednesday evening as they took on fellow high-flyers Western United. It was a special occasion for 22-year-old Ibini, as she became the youngest ever to play 100 A-League Women matches.
However, Western United had no time for sentimentality. Two first-half goals to American Hannah Keane meant that the competition’s surprise package claimed another high-profile scalp, finishing the game 2-0 victors.
Chloe Logarzo remained out of Western United's matchday squad with a minor foot injury, and Jada Whyman likewise for Sydney FC with a fractured finger.
The second game on Wednesday became the story of the Young Matildas at Melbourne City defeated Adelaide United 3-0. City’s captain Emma Checker started her first game of the season after a run of injury and illness kept her on the periphery in the latter stages of 2022, but it was her young teammates who stole the show.
A goal to 16-year-old Daniela Galic early in the second half, her second of the season, was looking like it might have been enough for City to squeak by Adelaide. In stoppage time, however, City made sure of it – goals to fellow youngsters Leticia McKenna and Caitlin Karic, the latter a superb individual effort, meant that the game finished a comfortable 3-0 for City.
Leah Blayney, Young Matildas coach, summed it up on commentary – “the kids are good!”
This weekend’s action
Another jam-packed weekend of action gets underway at Saturday, 3 pm AEDT with a doubleheader. Canberra United will host Newcastle Jets, both teams hoping three points can give them an opportunity to make a late run for finals football.
Meanwhile, Western Sydney Wanderers will hope to reprise their stunning victory from last weekend against Western United. Chloe Logarzo will be hoping to make her return for Western in that game.
On Sunday, 4 pm AEDT, Adelaide United will travel to Brisbane hoping to break their run of three losses in a row. Larissa Crummer and Katrina Gorry are expected to start for the Roar.
Due to the forecasted extreme heat, the Melbourne derby between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City has been rescheduled to Sunday, 5 pm AEDT. In a game of fourth v second, both teams will be desperate for points to try to keep ahead of the chasing pack. Alex Chidiac and Elise Kellond-Knight are expected to start for Victory, while a fully fit Emma Checker can be expected to play at least some role for Melbourne City.
The final game of the round will see the Wellington Phoenix travel to Perth in the first-ever women’s distance derby hosted by the Glory.
You can catch all of the games live and free on 10Play, or on Paramount+.