The wait is over… Melbourne City’s AFC Women’s Champions League campaign is here!
Having secured a place in the inaugural competition after last season’s A-League Women’s Premiership win, City will look to do Australia proud on the continental stage.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen our City Women in action, so here are a few of the most important things to look out for!
NEW FACES IN ACTION
City’s squad has been bolstered with reinforcements this season and several exciting new names are set to be in contention for a Club debut come Sunday afternoon in Bangkok.
Young Matildas duo Alexia Apostolakis and Emilia Murray will both be pressing their cases to step straight into the starting XI at either end of the pitch.
Apostolakis can play in the heart of defence but also as a fullback, while Murray could be used on the wing or potentially in an advanced midfield role.
Two of our new internationals, Spanish goalkeeper Malena Mieres and Venezuelan attacker Mariana Speckmaier, are also expected to be deep in the selection mix.
Making those key decisions will be another new face in Head Coach Michael Matricciani, who takes charge for the first time against Bam Khatoon FC.
WHERE’S OUR BEST AVENUE TO GOAL?
While there is no shortage of attacking options for City, it’s far from clear who Matricciani will prefer up top for his first fixture at the helm.
Rhianna Pollicina has been a constant goalscoring threat in her time at City netting 24 goals in 58 appearances, while young gun Shelby McMahon announced herself with two crucial goals late last season.
After 10 league goals in 2023/24, Speckmaier will be looking to begin her City career with a bang and could prove to be another potent threat in front of goal in City blue.
Another of the new faces looking to impact the scoresheet is Lourdes Bosch, who joined the Club directly following a decorated US college career and could provide a bit of X-factor from an attacking midfield role.
HOW WILL WE SHAPE UP AGAINST BAM KHATOON?
There’s a large sense of the unknown stepping into the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League, and City’s first challenge comes in the form of Irani champions, Bam Khatoon FC.
While having to qualify the hard way via the Preliminary Stage, Bam Khatoon will be full of confidence following two impressive wins.
Mona Hamoudi netted in both matches in the Preliminary Stage and could again prove influential, while City will have to be careful not to give Fatemah Geraeli any time and space on the ball with the midfielder capable of scoring from anywhere.
Sara Didar is another of the key players who will be looking to be a thorn in City’s side on Matchday 1, but Matricciani will be confident his team has what it takes to shut down these threats while asking plenty of questions at the other end of the pitch.
FIXTURE DETAILS
AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage: Matchday 1
Melbourne City FC v Bam Khatoon FC
Pathum Thani Stadium, Thailand
Sunday 6 October
4:00pm KO (local) // 8:00pm (AEDT)
Watch live via AFC Hub YouTube
