Melbourne City produced a stunning second-half display to secure a commanding 7-0 victory over Kaya FC-Iloilo in the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage on Wednesday night.
After a frustrating opening 45 minutes saw Michael Matricciani’s side head into the break on level terms, City burst into life after the restart with a remarkable seven-goal haul.
Kelli McGroarty, Melina Ayres and Cortnee Vine all completed braces, while Momo Hayashi also found the back of the net in a memorable evening of continental football.
Team News
Matricciani made three changes to his starting XI following defeat on Matchday 1.
Kelli McGroarty was handed her first City start, while Aimee Medwin and Shelby McMahon also came into the lineup.
Cortnee Vine moved to the bench due to illness, with Karly Roestbakken and Jessika Nash also among the substitutes.
Starting XI: 24. Malena MIERES (GK), 5. Aimee MEDWIN, 13. Rebekah STOTT (C), 8. Momo HAYASHI, 22. Taylor RAY, 12. Shelby McMAHON, 11. Deven JACKSON, 10. Avaani PRAKASH, 20. Kelli McGROARTY, 21. Aideen KEANE, 14. Melina AYRES.
Substitutes: 23. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 28. Gemma RADIPITSE (GK), 3. Danielle TURNER, 4. Jessika NASH, 7. Princess IBINI, 9. Cortnee VINE, 15. Tully HEATLEY, 16. Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 26. Izabella RAKO, 27. Chelsea BIGGS.
What happened?
City wasted little time getting on the front foot, with McGroarty firing an early warning shot narrowly wide from distance inside two minutes.
Ayres was heavily involved throughout the opening stages, first delivering a dangerous ball across goal that McGroarty couldn’t quite reach before firing an effort over the crossbar herself.
The striker continued to threaten, forcing a strong save from the Kaya goalkeeper in the 24th minute as City searched for the breakthrough.
Aideen Keane then had a golden opportunity to open the scoring late in the half, but could only direct her effort straight at the goalkeeper after being picked out by Ayres.
Despite dominating possession and enjoying 75% of the ball, City headed into the break frustrated with the scores still locked at 0-0.
But that was all about to change.
City needed just two minutes to finally break the deadlock upon the resumption.
Some excellent overlapping play between Medwin and Taylor Ray saw the latter deliver a dangerous cross into the penalty area, where McGroarty expertly adjusted her body to connect with a diving header.
It was a brilliant way to score her first City goal, and the start of something special.
After continuing to dominate, City put the foot down shortly after the hour mark with two goals in as many minutes.
Hayashi was first to strike in the 64th minute, rising highest to meet Avaani Prakash’s corner and power a header into the back of the net.
And before Kaya could catch their breath, City had a third.
A cleverly worked set-piece routine saw Medwin whip a dangerous low ball into the area, with McGroarty arriving on cue to slide home her second of the evening.
With a three-goal advantage established, the floodgates were well and truly open.
Ayres made it 4-0 in the 71st minute, reacting quickest after her initial powerful strike was saved, collecting the rebound and calmly finishing at the second attempt.
And incredibly, City struck again almost immediately.
Vine was introduced following Ayres’ goal and made an instant impact, with City winning possession straight from the restart.
The Matildas star wasted no time getting forward, coolly slotting past the goalkeeper to make it five.
With the result firmly in City’s control, youngsters Chelsea Biggs and Tully Heatley were also introduced for their first taste of continental football.
But City weren’t finished just yet.
Ayres completed her brace in the closing stages, getting on the end of a clever Vine assist to tuck home her second of the night.
Vine then ensured she wouldn’t be outdone, adding her own second in stoppage time to put the finishing touches on an extraordinary second-half performance.
What’s next?
City now turns its attention to the final match of the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage, with a crucial clash against Beijing Jingtan FC awaiting on Saturday night (AEDT).
With everything still to play for, Matricciani’s side will be looking to build on Wednesday’s emphatic victory and finish the group stage on a high.
