We bring you all the team news ahead of an important round of Westfield W-League action.
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers
Saturday 22 December 2012
Wembley Park, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 2pm
Referee: Casey Reibelt
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Yet another crucial weekend looms in the Westfield W-League and particularly for these two sides, though for very different reasons.
The Victory have been magnificent this season capped by an unprecedented win in Canberra last weekend. However a week is a long time in football, and since then coach Mike Mulvey, who has yet again impressed when called into a coaching role at short notice following his stint at Gold Coast United, has taken the reins at Brisbane Roar in the Hyundai A-League.
Assistant Fabrizio Soncin has stepped into the role knowing that a win here can go close to shoring up a finals berth. The match is set to mark the last appearance for the impressive Jessica Fishlock before her return to the UK.
Western Sydney Wanderers suffered a damaging blow last weekend with defeat against Brisbane Roar to end their recent good form. On the positive side for coach Steve Roche is that his side matched the two-time champions for all but the first 20 minutes last week. Sitting just outside the top four, they face a tough ask against what is statistically the best defence in the league.
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY (gk), 2. Danielle JOHNSON, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4. Rebekah STOTT, 5. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 6. Petra LARSSON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 9. Tiffany ELIADIS, 10. Jessica McDONALD, 11.Caitlin FRIEND, 14. Enza BARILLA, 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Georgie KOUTROUVELIS, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Cindy LAY, 19. Rachel ALONSO, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (gk), 22. Jessica FISHLOCK, 23. Jessica HUMBLE (*four to be omitted)
In: 5. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 9. Tiffany ELIADIS, 16. Georgie KOUTROUVELIS, 19. Rachel Alonso (all promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Ashley BROWN (knee – season), Louisa BISBY (knee – season), Jackie Vogt (knee – season)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Liz DURACK (gk), 2. Samantha SPACKMAN, 3. Alexandra HUYNH, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5. Olivia KENNEDY, 6. Rachael SOUTAR, 8. Vanessa HART, 9. Sarah WALSH (c), 10. Servet UZUNLAR, 11. Louise FORS, 12. Jessica SEAMAN, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 14. Trudy CAMILLERI, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 16. Linda O’NEILL, 17. Alisha BASS, 18. Candace SCIBERRAS, 20. Thora HELGADOTTIR (gk), (*three to be omitted)
Ins: Rachael Soutar, Alisha Bass, Candace Sciberras (all promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Jenna KINGSLEY (knee – season)
Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United
Saturday 22 December 2012
AJ Kelly Park, Brisbane
Local kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Peta McCallum
Despite a few hiccups this season Brisbane Roar continue to show the kind of character that has taken the club to two championships in the past four seasons. The Roar have almost stealthily moved into second and continue to secure points while others stumble. A settled line-up over the past few weeks took on even more familiar look last weekend with the return of the free-scoring Tameka Butt to the starting XI after finally recovering from niggling injuries.
Adelaide United made a welcome return to form last weekend defeating Newcastle Jets to snap a seven-match losing streak and move off the bottom of the ladder. The win coincided with the debut of Kristy Moore who set the win up with the opening goal. The Adelaide born-and-bred attacker started life in the former Women-s National Soccer League last century, before appearing internationally for England. Her availability will help offset the loss of striker Marijana Rajcic due to suspension.
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Hoshimi KISHI (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Ashley SPINA, 7. Erika ELZE, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Emma PITTMAN, 10. Lana HARCH, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 12. Rebecca PRICE, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Georgia CHAPMAN, 15. Hannah BEARD, 16. Sachiko TATSUOKA, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kate STEWART (gk), 19. Katrina GORRY, 20. Joanne BUCKLEY (gk) (*five to be omitted)
Ins: 9. Emma PITTMAN, 12. Rebecca PRICE, 14. Georgia CHAPMAN, 15. Hannah BEARD, 20. Joanne BUCKLEY (gk) (all promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: None
Adelaide United squad: 1. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Alex NATOLI, 4. Jessie WHAREPOURI, 5. Abby ERCEG (c), 6. Cassie TSOUMBRIS, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 8. Sarah McLAUGHLIN, 12. Lorena MAGGIO, 13. Ann MAYO, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Jess WATERHOUSE, 18. Georgia MACRI, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk), 23. Kristy MOORE
Ins: Lorena Maggio (promoted)
Outs: Marijana Rajcic (suspended)
Unavailable: None
Perth Glory v Canberra United
Saturday 22 December 2012
Initga Stadium, Perth
Local kick-off: 4pm
Referee: Kate Jacewicz
Any epic battle awaits Perth-based fans if the meeting between these two teams a few weeks back is any gauge. On that occasion Canberra edged a 2-1 win although the scoreline could have been anything with chances at both ends, and the Glory unlucky not to at least claim a share of the spoils. Coach Jamie Harnwell says confidence will be sky high after last week-s epic 7-5 win over Perth Glory. Nevertheless, leaders Glory have to keep winning if they are to stave off a multitude of challengers. Midfield ace Collette McCallum makes a welcome return this weekend, however impressive goalkeeper Carly Telford is out for the season with a broken hand.
Champions Canberra United know that defeat in the west will be very close to a mortal blow if they wish to retain their crown. Adding to United-s concerns is the loss of Sally Shipard for the season due to a knee injury. Striker Michelle Hayman has been unusually quite this season in the goalscoring stakes, while the side must also quickly forget the pain of a last-gasp defeat at home last weekend against Melbourne Victory.
Perth Glory squad: 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Sasha ANDREWS, 7. Aivi LUIK, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 10. Jaymee GIBBONS, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 14. Collette MCCALLUM (c), 15. Liz MILNE, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 20. Zoe PALANDRI (gk), 30. Maja BLASCH (* four to be omitted)
Ins: 2. Sarah CARROLL, 14. Collette MCCALLUM (both return from personal commitment), 16. Thia EASTMAN, 19. Shawn BILLAM (both promoted), 30. Maja BLASCH (new signing).
Outs: Carly Telford (hand – season)
Unavailable: Kirri Bolton (hip – indefinite)
Canberra United squad: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 4. Christine WALTERS, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Hayley RASO, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 16. Catherine BROWN, 17. Ariane HINGST, 18. Samantha WOOD, 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Trudy BURKE (gk), 21. Nikki WASHINGTON (*five to be omitted)
Ins: 5. Grace FIELD, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 18. Samantha WOOD (all promoted)
Outs: Sally Shipard (knee – season)
Unavailable: None
Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC
Sunday 23 December 2012
Wanderers Oval, Newcastle
Local kick-off: 4.30pm
Referee: Kelly Jones
Newcastle welcome back key midfielder Emily van Egmond from suspension, with the Matildas ace clearly missed as the Jets were shot down in Adelaide. The defeat sent Newcastle to the bottom of the table, however if they can rediscover the form of previous weeks that included several narrow defeats, then Sydney could be in for a tough afternoon at Broadmeadow.
Sydney for their part must overcome the horror of shipping seven goals at home against Perth Glory after holding a half-time lead. It is unlikely the Sky Blues will repeat those defensive woes, and in attack they have more than enough ammunition to upset any defence. Coach Alen Stajcic expects to have a full squad to choose from after making do without several absentees over recent weeks.
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Eliza CAMPBELL, 2. Hannah BREWER, 3. Hayley CRAWFORD (c), 4. Gema Pearce, 5. Tori HUSTER, 6. Angela SALEM, 7. Gema SIMON, 8. Madeline SEARL, 9. Tara ANDREWS, 10, Emily VAN EGMOND, 12. Tiffany BOSHERS, 14. Sammara SCHMITZER, 15. Alisha FOOTE, 16. Stacey DAY, 19. Jasmin COURTENAY, 20. Alannah ROSEWOOD, 21. Grace MCYINTYRE (* two to be omitted)
Ins: Emily VAN EGMOND (returns from suspension), Hayley CRAWFORD, Madeline SEARL, Gema PEARCE (all return from injury)
Outs: Mikaela HOWELL (omitted), Michaela HATZIRODOS (ankle – 2 weeks)
Unavailable: Kate HENSMAN (hip – 1 week), Bronte BATES (injured)
Sydney FC squad: 1. Sian MCLAREN (gk), 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Elizabeth RALSTON, 4. Sam KERR, 5. Meg McLAUGHLIN, 6. Natalie TOBIN, 7. Nicola BOLGER, 8. Amy HARRISON, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Renee ROLLASON, 11. Annalie LONGO, 12. Chloe LOGARZO, 13. Larissa CRUMMER, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 15. Hannah BROMLEY, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 17. Kyah SIMON (C), 18. Brittany WHITFIELD, 19. Emma KETE, 20. Sham KHAMIS (gk), 22. Lillie FENLON – BILLSON (* six to be omitted)
Ins: 5. Meg McLAUGHLIN; 6. Natalie TOBIN; 8. Amy HARRISON; 15. Hannah BROMLEY; 16. Ellyse PERRY; 18. Brittany WHITFIELD
Outs: None
Unavailable: None
