Melbourne City made its AFC Women’s Champions League debut in style on Sunday evening in Bangkok, securing a 2-1 win over Irani side, Bam Khatoon FC.
Rhianna Pollicina wrote her name into the history books with the Club’s first goal in the 40th minute, before Mariana Speckmaier scored on her City debut just minutes later.
A second-half Bam Khatoon goal against the run of play set up an interesting final 20 minutes, but otherwise, City never really looked troubled.
Team News
Michael Matricciani named three Club debutants in his first line-up as Head Coach, Malena Mieres, Alexia Apostolakis and Mariana Speckmaier pulling on the City shirt for the first time.
Tyla-Jay Vlajnic was also included in the XI for her first appearance since returning to the Club.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 14. Laura HUGHES, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 30. Anastasia KYRIACOU (GK), 5. Taylor OTTO, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 31. Carina ROSSI.
What happened?
Other than a Bam Khatoon warning shot from distance in the 19th minute, the first half belonged to City with Matricciani’s side looking strong in possession.
The play of Laura Hughes and Leah Davidson in midfield was crucial to this, allowing City to hold long spells of possession.
16-year-old Shelby McMahon came close to the opener in the 20th minute when she expertly brought down a deflection on the edge of the area. The young gun rounded the keeper and shot on goal but was denied only by a brilliant last-ditch challenge.
Speckmaier was lively out wide and continually asked questions of her opposing fullback, while Pollicina was as deadly as ever with her back to goal on the edge of the box.
It would be the latter getting her name on the scoresheet first, muscling her way into the penalty area and cooly tucking her finish inside the near post.
The lead was then doubled before the Bam Khatoon defence could even catch their breath.
Speckmaier timed her run to perfection, and it was Hughes threading an early cross into the box to find her. The Venezuelan international then got a toe on the ball to help it on its way and do just enough to beat Raha Yazdani.
The second half followed a similar theme with City once again controlling proceedings.
Leticia McKenna was introduced as the second half commenced, while Lourdes Bosch also entered the pitch for her professional debut.
Alexia Apostolakis put in an impressive shift on her first outing in a City shirt, combining brilliantly with Captain Rebekah Stott in the heart of defence.
Pollicina continued to drop into some dangerous spaces as the second half wore on, often combining with Bryleeh Henry – who also put in a top performance – down the right-hand side.
Emilia Murray became the fourth Club debutant of the day in the 64th minute entering the pitch alongside 17-year-old attacker Kiera Meyers.
A rare Bam Khatoon foray forward resulted in a 70th minute corner and despite it being their first real attacking opportunity, an impressive strike saw Mona Hamoudi score direct from the set-piece.
Although our lead was cut in half, City continued controlling the game and never again looked in danger of conceding.
Meyers and Murray provided a spark on opposite wings, while the midfield and defensive units continued on right until the final whistle to secure the all-important three points.
What’s next?
City will return to the pitch for our second Group Stage fixture on Wednesday night (8:00pm local/12:00am AEDT) against College of Asian Scholars.
