Western United showed no mercy as Matildas star Chloe Logarzo scored twice in a crushing 4-1 win over rivals Melbourne Victory in the Liberty A-League.
Keiwa Hieda and Adriana Taranto set the tone for last season’s Grand Finalists with quick-fire goals in the first half before in-form Logarzo struck twice in the second 45 minutes at the Home of the Matildas on Saturday.
Rachel Lowe pulled a goal back for Victory, but it proved too little too late though it did ensure the home side avoided going three games without a goal for the first time since 2012.
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With the resounding win, Western moved up to third in the standings as Victory were clinging onto their pace in the top six following a third consecutive defeat.
Alex Chidiac was in the starting XI for the first time since returning to Melbourne Victory and the Matildas midfielder almost helped break the deadlock inside two minutes.
She unlocked Western’s defence and released Paige Zois, but the latter was denied by reigning Goalkeeper of the Year Hillary Beall.
It was arm wrestle after that point, with neither side giving up an inch, especially in the centre of the pitch.
But Western drew first blood in the 32nd minute when Hieda got in behind Victory’s defence and was too fast as she slotted the ball beyond Victory and Matildas goalkeeper Williams.
Three minutes later, Western doubled their lead – Taranto beat Williams from an acute angle.
Western should’ve had a third goal in the 38th minute, however Jaclyn Sawicki was denied by the post.
Victory were forced to change goalkeepers at half-time after Williams succumbed to a football problem. She was replaced by Courtney Newbon – an injury-replacement for Miranda Templeman announced pre-game.
Hieda was a handful throughout the match and after forcing substitute goalkeeper Newbon into a save, she earned a penalty in the 59th minute.
After drawing a foul from Emma Checker, Logarzo stepped up to convert from the spot.
Desperate for a way back into the contest, American McKenzie Weinert nearly gave Victory fans something to cheer about as her powerful shot rattled the crossbar just past the hour-mark.
Logarzo bagged her second of the match 21 minutes from the end after getting on the end of a looping cross as Western cruised on enemy territory.
Victory did find the back of the net in the 78th minute via Lowe, whose deflected strike made its way past Beall but it was a mere consolation.
The Talking Point
All eyes were on Melbourne Victory amid their two-game losing streak prior to kick-off.
A squad boasting Matildas Emily Gielnik, Elise Kellond-Knight, Lydia Williams, Emma Checker and Alex Chidiac had lost 1-0 to league-leading Melbourne City and 2-0 to the resurgent Western Sydney Wanderers.
Jeff Hopkins’ title contenders had also opened the season with consecutive losses.
On Saturday, Victory were left to answer more questions after a heavy defeat to Western United.
It was not only a third consecutive loss but it was the first time Victory had conceded four or more goals since a 6-3 defeat at home to Sydney FC in January last year.
It is also the first time they have lost three straight games in a single season since 2016.
The Star
This is Chloe Logarzo’s comeback season.
A 49-time Matilda, she missed last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Having worked as a pundit during the historic showpiece tournament Down Under, where the Matildas finished fourth, she told KEEPUP after the World Cup: “My journey potentially getting, potentially, into the Matildas for this World Cup was quite extensive and long.
“It was a two-year battle coming back from an ACL and picking up a little foot injury, it was devastating.
“This isn’t the end of all our journeys. This is just a part of what happens as professional athletes. It’s one that is hard to swallow and one we will probably never really get over in a personal aspect.
“We’ve seen the passion off the field and that gives us something else that we can take back onto the field and take back to the girls. It gives us more of an edge to have a little fire in our belly for all the other tournaments coming up.”
Logarzo has been a player on a mission in the Liberty A-League this season.
The 29-year-old made it four goals in four games to maintain her red-hot form. She has five goals in 10 appearances – it is her best ever league tally, eclipsing the four goals she scored for Sydney FC in 2018-19.
What it means
With three losses on the bounce, Victory need a circuit-breaker to return to form and ensure they don’t fall outside the top six.
Next up for Victory is a showdown with high-flying Perth Glory to kick-off the Unite Round on Friday, January 12.
As for Kat Smith’s Western, they are three games unbeaten and entrenched in the top three.
They will now prepare for a Grand Final rematch with Sydney FC on Sunday, January 14.
