Melbourne City secured a spot in the final four of the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League on Sunday afternoon, cruising past Taichung Blue Whale at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
On a history-making day with City hosting the first AWCL game on Australian soil, Mariana Speckmaier put us ahead in just the fourth minute.
Some brilliant work from Holly McNamara forced an own goal just before half time, then the Matildas and City star got her own name on the scoresheet after the break, winning and converting a penalty to make it 3-0.
Team News
Michael Matricciani made two changes to his starting XI from our last league fixture. Rhianna Pollicina came into a more attacking midfield role in place of Leah Davidson, while Karly Roestbakken was preferred at left back over Tyla-Jay Vlajnic.
With an extended bench allowed under AFC regulations, Matricciani had plenty of options to call on.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 8. Alexia APOSTOLAKIS, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 5. Taylor OTTO, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 6. Leticia McKENNA, 14. Laura HUGHES, 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 17. Mariana SPECKMAIER, 19. Lourdes BOSCH, 9. Holly McNAMARA.
Substitutes: 1. Sophia VARLEY (GK), 23. Melissa BARBIERI, 7. Kathryn HARVEY, 11. Emilia MURRAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 15. Kiera MEYERS, 18. Leah DAVIDSON, 20. Caitlin KARIC, 21. Isabella ACCARDO, 22. Bryleeh HENRY, 27. Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 31. Carina ROSSI.
What happened?
City got off to a flying start, taking the lead in just the fourth minute. A pinpoint corner from Alexia Apostolakis found Taylor Otto, whose deft flick-on set up Mariana Speckmaier to tap home from close range.
From that moment, it was all City, with possession stats hovering around 80% for much of the half. Laura Hughes controlled the midfield with composure, dictating the tempo and ensuring City remained on the front foot.
Holly McNamara nearly doubled our lead on the half-hour mark with a sharp effort, but Taichung’s goalkeeper reacted well to make a low save.
A rare forward venture from the visitors came in the 39th minute, resulting in a speculative long-range shot that was easily gathered by Malena Mieres.
Just before half time, City struck again. McNamara and Pollicina combined brilliantly down the left flank, leading to a driven cross that ricocheted off a Taichung defender and the goalkeeper before finding the back of the net.
City maintained our dominance after the break, and the relentless pressure paid off once more in the 62nd minute.
Leticia McKenna’s clever through ball sent McNamara into the box, where she was brought down by the goalkeeper. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty, and McNamara confidently dispatched the spot kick into the bottom corner.
Substitute Emilia Murray then won a second penalty just over 10 minutes later after a clumsy challenge in the box. With McNamara subbed off, McKenna stepped up to take the penalty, but her effort was denied by the Taichung keeper.
Despite the missed opportunity, City saw out the remainder of the match in control, calmly retaining possession and ensuring the clean sheet remained intact.
What’s next?
Our AWCL campaign now goes on hold until the end of the A-League Women’s season, with our Semi Final scheduled to be played on Wednesday 21 May against Incheon Red Angels. Further details will be confirmed in due course.
A big week is ahead domestically, with away trips to Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix coming up in the next few days.
