The clash
Head Coach Rado Vidosic and his side will look to bounce back from the disappointment of last weekend’s result when they travel to Newcastle to face the Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
City took the lead against Adelaide United in Round 5 when Kyah Simon slotted her first goal of the season from the penalty spot, after Tameka Butt was fouled inside the penalty area. City looked destined to return to winning ways, only to be denied by a Georgia Campagnale strike in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time.
Despite conceding a late equaliser at C.B. Smith Reserve, City looked increasingly threatening in the attacking third. A draw against the Reds last weekend shapes up a crucial clash with Newcastle this Sunday afternoon, a team who is just as desperate to return to winning ways.
With Vidosic’s side sitting out Round 7 with a bye, City will look to secure the three-points against the Jets in order to keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive.
Newcastle sit in sixth position, two-points clear of City, making this weekend’s fixture a huge six-point clash.
The Jets are coming off a disappointing 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar at McDonald Jones Stadium last Thursday night. Despite having 13 shots on goal, only two were on target, as they suffered their second loss of the season.
Jenna Kingsley had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock on the stroke of half-time for the home side, although her missed opportunity came back to bite the Jets, as Chioma Ubogagu pounced on a poacher’s effort in the 56th minute to net the winner.
With a chance to stay in touch with the top-four on the line for both teams, we are set for a thriller in Newcastle.
Last time they met
The last time the two teams met was a crucial clash in Round 14 last season, where City defeated Newcastle 3-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium to book a place in the finals.
City produced an outstanding finish to the first-half, which saw them net three goals in the closing 15-minutes, courtesy of Jodie Taylor, Aivi Luik and Yukari Kinga.
Team news
City will be bolstered by the return of captain Steph Catley and New Zealand international Rebekah Stott. Full team news here.
Where and when
Newcastle host Melbourne City at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday 9 December, kick-off 2:30pm (AEDT), before Head Coach Rado Vidosic’s side sits out Round 7 with a bye and then returns to action in what is set to be a blockbuster double-header at AAMI Park when they host Canberra United on Saturday 22 December, kick-off 5:00pm (AEDT), get your tickets here.
