Melbourne City has created history, booking a place in the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League Final after a dramatic 1-0 win over Hyundai Steel Red Angels in Wuhan on Wednesday night.
With extra time looming and neither side able to find a breakthrough, it was 17-year-old substitute Shelby McMahon who stole the spotlight, scoring a sensational long-range winner in the final seconds to send City through to Saturday night’s Final.
Team News
Michael Matricciani made just one change to the side that featured in City’s last competitive outing against Central Coast, with Mariana Speckmaier earning a start in attack after recently returning from an ankle injury. That saw Lourdes Bosch named as one of the extended substitutes, per AFC competition regulations.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 14. Laura HUGHES, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 9. Holly McNAMARA.
Substitutes: 1. Sophia VARLEY (GK), 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 31. Carina ROSSI.
What happened?
The contest started in high gear, with Malena Mieres forced into an early save in just the 5th minute. City responded immediately, and Leticia McKenna almost gave us the perfect start – unleashing a long-range strike that rattled the crossbar just minutes later.
McKenna was at the heart of everything early, pulling the strings in midfield and keeping Red Angels under constant pressure. Rebekah Stott and Bryleeh Henry both went close following set pieces, while Holly McNamara – returning to the starting line-up after her recent injury scare – looked sharp in the final third.
City dominated possession and dictated the tempo throughout the first half, with a composed backline led by Alexia Apostolakis and Taylor Otto keeping the Korean champions at bay.
With Laura Hughes battling illness, McMahon was introduced at the break – and the teenager rose to the occasion in stunning fashion. Calm in possession and full of energy, her influence grew as the second half wore on.
City continued to push for the opener, with Stott flicking a header just wide and McKenna again going close from a free kick.
At the other end, Mieres was called into action in the 85th minute, making a brilliant save to deny a late Red Angels chance.
As the clock ticked down and the match looked destined for extra time, McMahon once again etched her name into City folklore.
With seconds remaining in stoppage time, she picked up a loose ball well outside the area and unleashed a rocket that sailed into the top corner – securing a famous win and sending City into our first ever continental final.
What’s next?
Melbourne City will now face Chinese powerhouse Wuhan Jiangda in the AFC Women’s Champions League Final on Saturday night, again at Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium.
Kick-off is scheduled for 10:00pm AEST and the match will be broadcast live and free via 10play. Don’t miss your chance to witness history.
Feature Image Credit: AFC
