Melbourne City joined the A-League Women’s record books with a 1-1 draw with Canberra United at McKellar Park on Saturday.
Taylor Otto opened the scoring from a set piece early in the second period, before Aideen Keane equalised for the hosts with nine minutes of regulation time to play.
Despite having to settle for a share of the points, City continued their unbeaten season, equaling the A-League Women’s record of 18 consecutive games without defeat.
TEAM NEWS
Head Coach Michael Matricciani made two changes to the starting XI that defeated Sydney FC prior to the international break, with Bryleeh Henry and Leah Davidson replacing Holly McNamara and Rhianna Pollicina.
McNamara and Tyla-Jay Vlajnic missed the trip to the nation’s capital after a short turnaround following the international break.
Kathryn Harvey and Emilia Murray returned to the squad, named amongst the substitutes.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 5. Taylor OTTO, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 14. Laura HUGHES, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 22. Bryleeh HENRY.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON.
WHAT HAPPENED?
In the heat at McKellar Park, City started strong, earning three corners within the first two minutes.
The third of those was the most threatening as Alexia Apostolakis collected the follow-up and forced a sharp diving save from Sally James.
James was soon called into action again, denying Bryleeh Henry from close range. Mariana Speckmaier found the winger at the back post, but her shot was thwarted by James just before the first drinks break.
Around the half-hour mark, City had their best chance to take the lead. Leticia McKenna produced a curling shot from just outside the 18-yard box that required a quick save from James. Henry collected the rebound and set up Speckmaier, who was unable to convert from just meters out.
As the teams headed into the sheds, the score remained 0-0 in the warm Canberra conditions.
In the 52nd minute, City found the breakthrough they had been seeking. Apostolakis delivered a dangerous corner that took the slightest of touches off Taylor Otto, giving City a 1-0 lead away from home with the central defender’s first goal of the season.
This set the stage for an entertaining second half at McKellar Park. Just four minutes later, Canberra threatened from a corner, but Sofia Christopherson blazed the ball over the crossbar.
Against the run of play, Canberra found their equaliser with just under 10 minutes of regulation time remaining as Aideen Keane capitalised on a loose back pass to level the scores.
Led from the back by City Captain Rebekah Stott, City pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages. The skipper made a dangerous run before threading a sublime through ball to Leah Davidson, who was unable to get a meaningful shot off.
Laura Hughes also made a threatening run, setting up Speckmaier with a cutback, but the Venezuelan international was denied from within the six-yard box by a superb save from James.
City’s final chance came in the fourth minute of added time. Rhianna Pollicina picked up the ball in a dangerous area inside the box; her first attempt was blocked, and her second effort was saved by James, forcing City to settle for a share of the points.
The 1-1 draw in the nation’s capital extended City’s unbeaten run to 18 games in the A-League Women’s competition, placing them in the league record books as one of the teams with the most games unbeaten.
WHAT’S NEXT?
It’s back-to-back away trips for City, as a trip to the Sunshine State awaits.
Matricciani’s side will take on Brisbane Roar on Sunday 9 March at Perry Park, kick-off 6:30pm, before returning to Melbourne where they’ll face Adelaide United at the ctrl:cyber Pitch on Sunday 16 March.
