Melbourne City FC could move to the top of the A-League Women table with a win in its upcoming home clash with Brisbane Roar.
The team has now won its past four games and has the opportunity to finish top of the league if it can claim maximum points across its final three fixtures.
That incredible prospect was made possible with an exhilarating 2-1 win over Sydney FC last weekend, with the City girls handing the Sky Blues their first defeat of the season.
City struck twice in the first half through Rhianna Pollicina and Kaitlyn Torpey, but a season-ending knee injury to Holly McNamara soured the result as Rado Vidosic’s side relented against a barrage of Sydney opportunities following Princess Ibini’s consolation penalty late in the second half.
It was a massive result, especially given City were without Kiwi stars Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson, who are away on national team duties.
It’ll be the second meeting between the teams this season, but Vidosic will be hoping that this encounter is nothing like the first, despite the result on that occasion.
The visiting City team were second-best for much of the game, kept alive only by an unbelievable goalkeeping performance from Melissa Barbieri. Despite Katrina Gorry opening the scoring for Brisbane late in the contest, the Roar’s inaccuracy enabled City to pull off an incredible come-from-behind victory, with Pollicina netting from a free-kick before assisting Wilkinson’s stoppage-time header to claim all three points.
City will hope to face a far less inspired Brisbane outfit this time around, with the visiting team likely low on confidence after their 8-2 demolition by Adelaide United on their own home turf last time out.
Though we’ll be missing our usual front two in Wilkinson and McNamara, the team will be optimistic of finding the back of the net at least once against the Roar, who are the only team yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
Match Details
A-League Women
Melbourne City FC vs Brisbane Roar FC
Thursday 24 February, kick-off 7:45pm
Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
