Matildas At Home: Round 9 - Ibini scores again; Western remains unbeaten

Your CommBank Matildas continued to be influential as the A-League Women reached the halfway point over the weekend.

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The action began on Friday night as Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory drew 1-1. Alex Chidiac and Elise Kellond-Knight started for Victory, the latter returning after an illness that saw her miss their New Year’s Eve clash with Canberra United. Young Matilda Paige Zois scored her first goal in the A-League Women to give Victory the lead in the first half, before Alana Jancevski scored in the 74th minute to equalise.

Saturday started with a 3 pm double header that led to the two top teams in the competition setting up a tantalising fixture on Wednesday afternoon.

In the first game, Sydney FC defeated Newcastle Jets 4-2. The first 10 minutes of action were astounding, involving three Sydney FC goals and one in reply from the Jets. Princess Ibini was on the scoresheet for Sydney FC’s fourth goal, tucking away a penalty that she won herself to relieve pressure on the Sky Blues in the second half after the game was poised at 3-2.

Cortnee Vine started the game and assisted the third goal that was scored by Mackenzie Hawkesby.

Jada Whyman remains out of the matchday squad for Sydney FC with a fractured finger and is expected to be on the sidelines for a few more weeks.

Meanwhile, a goal to Serbian international TJ Vlajnic helped Western United overcome a resilient Wellington Phoenix 1-0. Chloe Logarzo was not named in the matchday squad but is expected to play a part midweek, as Western take on Sydney FC to determine who will take top spot on the ladder.

Canberra United overcame both Adelaide’s heat and its football team to win Saturday’s final match 2-0. A quickfire set of goals to Michelle Heyman and Grace Maher in the first half means that Adelaide United remains out of the top 4, one point behind Melbourne Victory in fourth.

 

The final action of the weekend was perhaps the most exciting, with Western Sydney Wanderers causing the upset of the season by securing their first win in 364 days over Melbourne City. Emma Checker came off the bench for Melbourne City in the 56th minute but that was not enough to save her side from defeat. A wonder-strike to Young Matilda Sheridan Gallagher, and a second half goal to Olivia Price, were enough to topple one of the premiership favourites in City.

Midweek Action

Make sure you clear your schedule on Wednesday night – these two next games are shaping up to be critical in the A-League Women title race!

 

At 5 pm, Western United will take on Sydney FC at City Vista Reserve. Chloe Logarzo hopes her side can defeat fellow CommBank Matildas Princess Ibini and Cortnee Vine to remain the only side with a perfect record and take top honours on the league table.

Once that game is over, you can immediately flick to the next game as Adelaide United take on Melbourne City at 7 pm AEDT. City club captain Emma Checker announced on social media that she started 2023 fit and healthy and will be hoping to take the field to bounce back from what was a shock loss to the Wanderers.

You can catch all of the action live and free on 10Play, or on Paramount+.