Melbourne City has suffered a 2-0 defeat to PFC Nasaf in its opening AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage fixture in Uzbekistan.
Despite dominating large periods of the contest and creating several promising opportunities, City was unable to break down a resilient Nasaf defence, with the hosts scoring early and late to secure all three points.
Michael Matricciani’s side will now turn its attention to Wednesday night’s crucial clash against Kaya FC-Iloilo as it looks to get its continental campaign back on track.
Team News
Michael Matricciani named an unchanged starting XI from City’s 5-0 win over Sydney FC, with Shelby McMahon and Dan Turner added to an extended bench.
Having started the Ninja A-League Women’s season with two consecutive victories, City entered its third AFC Women’s Champions League campaign looking to carry that winning momentum onto the continental stage.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 4. Jessika NASH, 22. Taylor RAY, 8. Momo HAYASHI, 11. Deven JACKSON, 10. Avaani PRAKASH, 21. Aideen KEANE, 9. Cortnee VINE, 14. Melina AYRES.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 3. Danielle TURNER, 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 7. Princess IBINI, 12. Shelby MCMAHON, 15. Tully HEATLEY, 20. Kelli McGROARTY, 26. Izabella RAKO, 27. Chelsea BIGGS, 28. Gemma RADIPITSE.
What happened?
City was dealt an immediate setback, conceding inside the opening 40 seconds as the hosts capitalised on a swift counterattack.
A dangerous cross from the right found the head of Nasaf’s Maftuna Khabibullaeva, who guided her effort past Malena Mieres to give the Uzbekistani side an early advantage.
Matricciani’s side were dealt a double blow early, when central defender Jessika Nash was forced from the field with an ankle injury.
Aimee Medwin was introduced in her place, prompting a reshuffle that saw Momo Hayashi move into central defence and Taylor Ray shift into midfield.
Despite the early setbacks, City began to settle into the contest and looked increasingly dangerous as the first half progressed.
Melina Ayres forced the Nasaf goalkeeper into a strong save, before Deven Jackson tested her luck with a rising strike that was also kept out.
City continued to build momentum, dominating the final 20 minutes of the half and creating several promising opportunities.
The best chance fell to Ayres, who was picked out at the back post by a brilliant cross from Aideen Keane, but her header failed to find the target.
Despite enjoying the better of the chances, City headed into the break trailing by a goal.
Matricciani’s side picked up where it left off after the restart, continuing to dominate possession and push for an equaliser.
Keane looked lively down the left, testing the Nasaf defence with a curling effort, while captain Rebekah Stott worked tirelessly to drive City forward and create opportunities.
Stott also had a chance to level the scores following a corner, but her effort sailed over the crossbar.
City thought it had finally found its breakthrough in the 73rd minute when Keane put the ball in the back of the net when she met Stott’s flick on, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside following a review.
As the clock ticked down, City continued to push numbers forward in search of an equaliser, but Nasaf’s disciplined defensive structure proved difficult to break down.
The hosts stood firm, blocking City’s attempts and frustrating the visitors before capitalising on the space left behind late in the contest.
Nasaf doubled its advantage in the 86th minute, with a counterattack resulting in a second goal to seal a 2-0 win on the opening day of Group C.
What’s next?
City will look to bounce back quickly when it faces Kaya FC-Iloilo in its second AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage fixture on Wednesday night.
With three matches to be played in just seven days, Matricciani’s side will have little time to dwell on the result as it prepares for another important continental test.
Having opened its campaign with defeat, City will be determined to secure all three points against the Filipino champions to remain firmly in contention for a place in the Quarter Finals.
AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage: Matchday 2
Kaya FC-Iloilo v Melbourne City FC
Wednesday 4 November
9:30pm AEDT
Markaziy Stadium, Qarshi
