Melbourne City had to be patient, but a clinical final half hour proved the difference as we secured an important 3-1 win over Canberra United at ctrl:cyber Pitch on Sunday afternoon.
In a tightly contested clash between two of the Ninja A-League’s top teams, City broke the deadlock with our first clear chance of the match just after the hour mark when Aideen Keane rose highest to head home the opener.
Substitute Chinaza Uchendu then played a decisive role late in the game, scoring twice either side of a Canberra goal to ensure all three points stayed in Melbourne.
The result strengthens our position at the top of the Ninja A-League table with just a handful of matches remaining in the regular season.
Team News
Following an extended international break, Head Coach Michael Matricciani made two changes to the side that last took the pitch prior to the pause in the competition.
Leah Davidson and Alexia Apostolakis both returned to the starting XI, while the absence of Golden Boot leader Holly McNamara – who remains away on international duty with the Matildas – meant City again had to adjust in the attacking third.
There was also a welcome sight on the bench with Laura Hughes named among the substitutes for the first time since suffering a knee injury in early December.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT, 5. Taylor OTTO (C), 3. Dan TURNER, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 21. Aideen KEANE, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 11. Deven JACKSON.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 6. Leticia McKENNA, 7. Danella BUTRUS, 14. Laura HUGHES, 15. Chinaza UCHENDU, 17. Kaya JUGOVIC.
What happened?
City made a composed start to the match, enjoying plenty of early possession as we looked to settle into our rhythm. Canberra threatened first though, earning the opening corner of the afternoon in the seventh minute, but the danger was comfortably dealt with by the City defence.
The visitors gradually worked their way into the contest and created the best opportunities of the opening half. A nervous moment arrived in the 20th minute when a sloppy giveaway in defence handed Canberra a golden chance to take the lead. However, Rebekah Stott produced a crucial intervention, making two outstanding goal-line clearances in quick succession to keep the scores level.
While City slightly edged possession, Canberra continued to look the more dangerous side in attack. Keane provided the main spark going forward for City, driving forward on several occasions and looking the most likely to create something in the final third.
Despite Canberra registering five shots before the break and none to City, the teams went into half-time locked at 0-0.
The visitors again started the second half brightly and forced Malena Mieres into a good save just minutes after the restart as Canberra looked to capitalise on their early momentum.
City, however, began to grow into the game as the half progressed and eventually found the breakthrough just after the hour mark. A well-worked attacking move earned us a corner, and Deven Jackson delivered an inviting cross into the box. Keane timed her run perfectly and rose above the defence to power a header into the net, giving us a crucial 1-0 lead.
The goal shifted the momentum firmly in our favour, as we looked increasingly comfortable as the match entered its final stages.
Matricciani then turned to his bench in the 83rd minute, introducing Uchendu and Hughes as we looked to close out the contest. The impact was immediate.
Within moments of entering the field, Uchendu doubled City’s advantage. Bryleeh Henry delivered an excellent cross into the penalty area and the substitute rose highest to head home, making it 2-0 just seconds after coming on.
Canberra responded almost immediately, however, when a deflected effort off Taylor Otto found the net in the 85th minute to briefly bring the visitors back into the game.
Any hopes of a late comeback were quickly extinguished. Just two minutes later, Uchendu produced a moment of individual brilliance, unleashing a spectacular strike from well outside the penalty area that flew into the top corner to restore City’s two-goal cushion and seal a 3-1 victory.
What’s next?
City will now face a quick turnaround as we remain at home for another crucial Ninja A-League clash on Wednesday evening against Adelaide United.
With the race for the Premiers Plate continuing to intensify, another important three points will be on the line when two of the competition’s top sides meet again at ctrl:cyber Pitch.
Don’t miss midweek football at home – get your tickets now.
