The A-League Women produced upsets aplenty as it prepares to farewell many of its stars, including CommBank Matilda Alex Chidiac, after the upcoming international window.
The Newcastle Jets provided the first shock of the week, travelling to Ballarat on Wednesday to defeat league leaders Western United 2-0. A first ever A-League women goal to Taren King gave the Jets the lead in the first half before Ash Brodigan secured their victory in the second. It was their first three points under new head coach Gary van Egmond.
Western United had the chance only four days later to steady the ship, and they did so in dramatic fashion, coming from behind to defeat Melbourne City 2-1 at Aami Park. Goals to internationals Hannah Keane and Sydney Cummings, the latter from the penalty spot, overcame a first half Leticia McKenna goal for City.
Club captain Emma Checker started for Melbourne City in the centre defence. Chloe Logarzo remained out of the Western United team with the same foot injury that kept her out of the Cup of Nations squad, but was seen supporting her team throughout the week.
Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar played out a 1-1 draw in a game that could be vital to the final composition of the top four. A first half Alex Chidiac penalty wasn’t enough for Victory, with American Shea Connors replying almost immediately with a wonderful individual goal.
Larissa Crummer and Katrina Gorry played the full 90 minutes for the Roar and were typically influential throughout proceedings. For Victory, Chidiac looked her dynamic self in her final game before returning to Racing Louisville in the NWSL, and Elise Kellond-Knight played her part in preventing her CommBank Matildas teammates in orange from asserting themselves on the scoresheet.
The biggest upset of the round came in Canberra as the women in green defeated Sydney FC 2-1 at McKellar Park. An early goal to Michelle Heyman was cancelled out by a first A-League women goal for reigning NPLW NSW Player of the Year Rola Badawiya, but an 87th minute Ellie Brush header sealed the victory for the home side.
Jada Whyman was a welcome return from injury for Sydney FC in goals but wasn’t able to keep a clean sheet. Princess Ibini and Cortnee Vine also started for Sydney FC.
On Sunday, the Western Sydney Wanderers defeated Wellington Phoenix for the first time, winning 1-0 thanks to a first half Sophie Harding strike. Clare Hunt captained her Wanderers side to a clean sheet in her final A-League Women’s hit out before the Cup of Nations.
Perth Glory emphatically announced themselves as contenders for the top four as they defeated Newcastle Jets 4-0 in the final game of the round. Two goals to American Cyera Hintzen were the highlights for the West Australians as they now find themselves back in contention for finals spots with two games in hand on fourth placed Melbourne Victory.
Next Round’s Action
Next week sees the league take a break as the Cup of Nations takes centre-stage.
A-League Women’s action resumes on Saturday, 25 February as Canberra United take on Western Sydney Wanderers at 3pm AEDT. Clare Hunt will be hoping that she takes the field in Canberra as a capped CommBank Matilda for the first time.
At 7pm AEDT, Perth Glory host Brisbane Roar, both teams hoping for three points to push for the top four. Larissa Crummer and Katrina Gorry will both hope to push for three points for the Roar.
On Sunday morning, 11am AEDT, the Wellington Phoenix host a Sydney FC who will be hurting after the results last week. Two more weeks of training after her injury return will do Jada Whyman the world of good. Cortnee Vine will be hoping that she is starting off the back of some Cup of Nations form and Princess Ibini will look to be creative alongside her.
At 4pm AEDT, Newcastle Jets host Western United. It will be a big test for Western having lost Chloe Logarzo’s presence in the change room but they will be preparing for different leaders to step up in her place, to get revenge for the previous meeting between these sides.
Finally, at 5.40pm AEDT, Melbourne Victory host Adelaide United. Elise Kellond-Knight will look to provide the creative impetus that the departing Alex Chidiac has given to Victory all season.
You can catch all of the action live and free on 10Play, or Paramount+.