Two teams who suffered first-round losses will be seeking to find winning ways in what shapes as an important fixture for both teams.
Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers
Sunday 21 September 2014
Broadmeadows Valley Park, Melbourne
Local kick-off: 3pm
** Listen LIVE on FFV Radio from 2.30pm. Head to www.footballfedvic.com.au or search ‘FFV Radio’ in the TuneIn smartphone app.
Join the conversation on Twitter using match hashtag #MVCvWSW
Champions Melbourne suffered what was viewed as a surprise defeat for many in their trip to Newcastle last Saturday, while the Wanderers fell to a 4-1 defeat against Canberra though the scoreline was perhaps slightly harsh on the youthful Sydneysiders.
This match marks a new beginning of sorts for the Victory who will be playing their maiden fixture at Hume City’s home ground, while there also be a first with supporters able to listen to the match on the FFV website or via a smartphone app.
The Victory, under a new coach and with a host of new players, will be looking for more fluency than last week, and their talented roster suggests it is only a matter of time before they start collecting both cohesiveness and results.
They have an unchanged squad from last week but will have to wait for another week before the arrival of two impressive reinforcements in the shape of American duo Elli Reed and the returning Lauren Barnes.
The Wanderers, for the part, can take some comfort from their opening performance, even if the scoreline was not what they were looking for.
Their line-up was filled with teenagers and/or Westfield W-League debutants though for patches they acquitted themselves well against a highly experienced combination.
The goal for coach Norm Boardman has to be long term, and though the early short term signs are positive, this will be another massive test his young charges.
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY (GK), 2. Hannah BREWER, 6. Gema SIMON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY (C), 8. Amy JACKSON, 9. Racheal QUIGLEY, 10. Christine NAIRN, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 14. Tiffany ELIADIS, 15. Emma CHECKER, 16. Beatrice GOAD, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 19. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (GK)
Ins: none
Outs: none
Unavailable: Lauren Barnes (overseas – 1 week), Elli Reed (overseas – 1 week)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Trudy Burke (gk), 20. Sham Khamis (gk), 22. Victoria Guzman, 6. Rachael Soutar, 8. Grace Henry, 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Jessica Seaman, 14. Demi Koulizakis, 9. Keelin Winters, 11. Lorena Bugden, 12. Hannah Beard, 15. Rhianna Pollicina, 13. Jordan Baker, 5. Helen Petinos, 10. Michelle Carney
Ins: Hannah Beard (returns from suspension)
Outs: Tia Gavin (omitted)
Unavailable: Linda O’Neill (abroad – 2 weeks), Caitlin Jarvie (injury – 4 weeks)
