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W-League Preview: City v Newcastle

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The clash

Melbourne City will look to bounce back when they host Newcastle Jets at C.B. Smith Reserve on Sunday night.

Head Coach Rado Vidosic’s side suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park in Round 11, as the hosts dominated the contest before suffering a goal against the run of play, on the counter attack in the closing stages.

With 23 shots at goal to Brisbane’s five, City dominated the contest but lacked the polish in the attacking third that was needed to claim the points.

With 15-minutes of regulation time remaining, Brisbane struck, as Chioma Ubogagu turned Yukari Kinga before finishing clinically from inside the area.

City’s finals chances remain alive, but they will need to win both of their remaining two games as they hope other results go their way.

A tough task awaits on Sunday night, coming up against a Newcastle Jets outfit full of confidence following their upset win over Perth Glory last weekend.

The Jets came back from a goal down, to run out 3-1 winners over the top-four hopefuls in Newcastle. Samantha Kerr opened the scoring in the 34th minute, before the Jets produced a blistering second-half performance to score three goals without reply, courtesy of Arin Wright, Tara Andrews and Cortnee Vine.

Fate might be out of City’s hands, but to keep any chance of a top-four finish alive, Vidosic’s side will need to secure all three-points in their last remaining home fixture of the season.

Team news

A fresh face headlines City’s team news. Full squad news here.

What was said

Head Coach Rado Vidosic 

“The season is not all over, we still have two games, we are current champions and we need to make sure we go out there and try to do the best that we can.” 

Last time they met

City defeated Newcastle Jets 3-1 in Round 6 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.

Yukari Kinga opened the scoring with a neat finish on the half hour mark, before Tameka Butt doubled City’s lead four-minutes later to secure her 50th goal in the competition. American import Katie Stengel pegged a goal back for the hosts, before fellow American Jasmyne Spencer secured the points with just over 15-minutes to play.

Where and when

City host Newcastle at C.B. Smith Reserve on Sunday night in their last home game of the season, kick-off 7:30pm.