Melbourne City FC’s top two hopes will be on the line when the team takes on Western Sydney Wanderers in the final round of the 2021/22 A-League Women on Sunday afternoon.
With an incredibly competitive regular season coming to a close, there is still so much on the line, with the final top four positions and even the Premiership still to be affected by the outcome of City’s blockbuster.
The City girls were able to put themselves in that position with a comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle Jets at home on Tuesday. Kaitlyn Torpey was brilliant in her 60 minutes and was well worth her 16th-minute opener. Rhianna Pollicina also inspired with a brilliant assist for Hannah Wilkinson in the second half.
That result will need to be quickly put behind them, however, as the team places all its focus on securing what could prove to be a decisive three points against Western Sydney Wanderers away from home.
The teams have already met once this season, with City running out 2-1 victors at home thanks to goals from Rhianna Pollicina and Holly McNamara.
Teigan Collister also scored on that occasion, recording one of Western Sydney’s mere seven goals in 2021/22, a weakness that City will be looking to exploit in the teams’ upcoming clash given the defensive solidity of Rado Vidosic’s side this season.
Most recently, Western Sydney was beaten at home by 10th-placed Wellington Phoenix in what would have been a disappointing night for the team. The Wanderers went ahead early but then shipped three goals to let the game slip from their clutch despite their late consolation goal.
With her young strike partner Holly McNamara ruled out for the remainder of the season, Wilkinson will shoulder the goalscoring burden again as she looks to give herself every chance of chasing down Adelaide’s Fiona Worts at the top of the Golden Boot standings.
Match Details
A-League Women
Western Sydney Wanderers vs Melbourne City FC
Sunday 6 March, kick-off 12:05pm
Wanderers Football Park
