Melbourne City FC has been forced to share the spoils after a late equaliser saw Adelaide United make it 1-1 at C.B. Smith Reserve on Saturday night.
Matildas international Kyah Simon broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, when she sent Reds shot-stopper Sarah Willacy the wrong way from the spot.
Adelaide United hit back in second-half stoppage time as Georgia Campagnale found the back of the net with the last kick of the match, seven minutes into stoppage time.
City will look to return to winning ways when the play Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium next Sunday 9 December.
Team News
Head Coach Rado Vidosic made no changes to the starting XI that suffered a 5-2 loss to Perth Glory at nib Stadium last weekend.
Experienced defensive midfielder Amy Jackson accompanied attacker Adriana Jones on the bench, as youngsters Sofia Sakalis and Nia Stamatopoulos made way. Goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri also returned, after she was a late omission in Round 4.
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What happened?
In warm conditions at C.B. Smith Reserve, City looked to race out of the blocks, piling the pressure on Adelaide’s defence in the opening 10 minutes.
Central defender Lauren Barnes was influential, as she looked to play Jasmyne Spencer into space on the right-wing on multiple occasions. The attacking intent was visible in the early stages, although Spencer’s crosses were well chopped off by Adelaide goalkeeper Sarah Willacy and her defence.
As City continued to pile on the pressure, winger Rhali Dobson burst through the midfield earning a free-kick. Matildas international Elise Kellond-Knight stepped over the set-piece, forcing a desperate save from Willacy.
Despite City’s early dominance, the visitors had a golden opportunity to make it 1-0 on the 15th minute mark. Reds attacker Michelle Heyman was played through one-on-one with Lydia Williams, the shot-stopper forcing her international teammate wide, before her effort was wide of the near post.
In the 29th minute, Japanese international Yukari Kinga went inches away from opening the scoring with a brilliant effort. The ball fell to the midfielder on the edge of the box, before she fired it goal bound, striking the keeper’s right upright post.
Four-minutes later Dobson looked to find Tameka Butt from the left-wing, although her effort was well read by Willacy.
As the first-half began to draw to a close, as did the chances in front of goal, with neither team looking to concede before the interval.
Head Coach Rado Vidosic’s side stormed out of the blocks in the second period, piling the pressure on the Reds defence.
Five-minutes into the half, right-back Theresa Nielsen played a fierce ball which was met by Kyah Simon, whose header cannoned into the crossbar.
In the 54th minute perseverance eventually prevailed as Simon made it 1-0 from the penalty spot, sending Willacy the wrong way. Tameka Butt earning the spot kick after she was fouled inside the box following a threatening run.
City looked to make it 2-0 as Spencer’s cross was met by Dobson at the back post, although the winger’s half-volley was wide. The home side’s next chance came through the same duo, this time Dobson found Spencer, although her effort was blocked by a desperate Emma Checker.
Adelaide were desperate in their attempt to find an equaliser, but City held firm, continuing to fight off the Reds.
In the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time the Reds eventually struck as second-half substitute Georgia Campagnale found the back of the net.
What’s next?
City will look to return to winning ways when they play Newcastle Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium next Sunday 9 December, kick-off 2:30pm (AEDT).
Head Coach Rado Vidosic’s side will then sit out Round 7 with a bye, before returning to AAMI Park in Round 8 to face Canberra United in what is set to be a blockbuster festive season double-header with the A-League side on Saturday 22 December, kick-off 5:00pm (AEDT).
