Canberra United produced a big upset after stunning Liberty A-League leaders Melbourne City 3-1 on Sunday.
Canberra had lost their past two matches heading into the fixture in the nation’s capital, while they were winless in their four previous matches against City.
But Canberra flipped form and ladder position on its head thanks to goals from Michelle Heyman, Mary Stanic-Floody and Nikki Flannery at McKellar Park, where City’s American defender Taylor Otto reduced the deficit in stoppage time.
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With the triumph, Canberra not only celebrated their first win over City for the first time since 2021 but moved within a point of 11th-placed Adelaide United with a game in hand, while they are eight points outside of the top six. City, meanwhile, have seen their lead atop the table reduced to just three points.
City dominated from the opening whistle as veteran goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri made her first appearance of the season.
In doing so, Barbieri became the oldest Australian national leagues player aged 44 years and 15 days, eclipsing England and Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton (42y 150d in 1980) – who represented Blacktown City. The list also includes Liam Reddy (41y 146d in 2023) and Brazilian great Romario (40y 320d for Adelaide United in 2006).
Chloe Lincoln produced a fantastic save to deny City star Hannah Wilkinson in the 10th minute in an impressive first half for the Canberra goalkeeper.
“I love the bravery and positivity of this young goalkeeper to play forward,” Young Matildas head coach Leah Blayney said on Paramount+.
But for all of City’s dominance which equated to 70% possession, the visitors went into the break trailing 2-0.
Canberra weathered the storm and struck first thanks to legendary striker Heyman – who bagged her league-leading 10th goal of the season eight minutes before half-time.
After Heyman and Flannery tested Barbieri, the former headed the ball past her opponent and broke through on goal as she composed herself and tucked the ball into the back of the net.
City were left shell-shocked as Canberra doubled the lead two minutes later when Flannery’s pace sent her through into the penalty area and Heyman’s touch put the ball into the path of Stanic-Floody, who found the back of the net from the top of the area.
City continued to push forward in an attempt to find a way back into the contest, though Canberra remained disciplined and well organised.
Spaced opened up for Canberra throughout the half and they had a great chance on the counter-attack with 18 minutes left to play but Vesna Milivojevic skied her effort over the crossbar.
But it mattered little after a fine team move saw Canberra bag their third of the game moments later.
It started when Sasha Grove dispossessed City and played a ball up top to Heyman, who used her body to keep the attack alive and it eventually resulted in her sliding a pass across the six-yard box for Flannery to score from close range.
Rhianna Pollicina nearly pulled a goal back for Dario Vidosic’s City eight minutes from the end, however, her shot flashed just side of the post.
