It’s a quick turnaround for our City Women who are gearing up to return to the pitch on Wednesday night as we continue our AFC Women’s Champions League campaign.
After taking three points on Matchday 1, our next challenge comes in the form of Thai Champions, College of Asian Scholars.
Here are a few of the key storylines heading into Wednesday night – or first thing Thursday morning (12:00am KO) – back in Melbourne.
CONTINUING THE MOMENTUM
City’s AFC Women’s Champions League campaign couldn’t have gotten off to a better start.
A dominant opening fixture against Bam Khatoon FC saw City hold the ball for 84% of the contest and control proceedings across virtually the whole 90 minutes.
Rhianna Pollicina and Mariana Speckmaier reaped the rewards in the dying stages of the first half, helping us to a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.
A moment to forget saw Bam Khatoon pull a goal back via a corner, but otherwise, City was never really troubled.
While an impressive start, Michael Matricciani’s team will still have plenty of areas of improvement in mind for Matchday 2.
It’s hard to see where too many changes would be made to the line-up – such was City’s dominant performance against Bam Khatoon – but squad rotation could be front of mind given the short turnaround and tough conditions.
STEPPING UP A LEVEL
College of Asian Scholars were likely disappointed not to walk away with the win in their first fixture, instead, gaining a share of the points against Kaya-Iloilo.
While the possession and passing numbers remained relatively even, Scholars fired off 24 shots – more than double what their opposition managed.
That being said, quality shots were far from in abundance with just three of those on target.
Kanyanat Chetthabutr was closest of all to breaking the deadlock, getting in behind with a quick turn of foot in the 34th minute, beating her defender to the ball and then lobbing the keeper – only to see her attempt bounce into the crossbar and out.
Orapin Waenngoen and Beatriz da Silva both shape up as key threats out wide, with City likely to again look to full-backs Bryleeh Henry and Karly Roestbakken to nullify those threats.
SECURING A PLACE IN THE QUARTERS
After three points in our Group B opener – the path to the Quarter Finals has become clear; one more win and we’re in.
Should the earlier match on Wednesday end in a draw, we could even be playing to seal a home Quarter Final with a game still in hand.
No matter the other match though one thing is certain – a City win will see history created, with qualification to the knockout stages secured for the first time in Club history.
You’d expect this would be far from front of mind for Matricciani and the City squad though, instead, likely focussed on the moment and doing whatever it takes to make it back-to-back wins.
FIXTURE DETAILS
AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage: Matchday 2
College of Asian Scholars v Melbourne City FC
Pathum Thani Stadium, Thailand
Wednesday 9 October // Thursday 10 October
8:00pm KO (local) // 12:00am (AEDT)
Watch live via AFC Hub YouTube Channel
