Central Coast Mariners will be sweating over the fitness of key midfielder Isabel Gomez after she was forced from the field during her side’s 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory.
In what was a tight contest, the Mariners broke the deadlock in the 12th minute through academy graduate Annalise Rasmussen.
Collecting a loose ball on the edge of the Victory box, forward Brooke Nunn found Rasmussen in space and the 19-year-old duly found the far corner with a low right-footed effort.
In what will be a worry for Mariners head coach Emily Husband, star midfielder Isabel Gomez was then forced from the field in the second half.
The 22-year-old received her first Commbank Matildas call-up this week and could now be in doubt to feature in upcoming games against Brazil and Chinese Taipei.
Caught late by a heavy challenge from Victory’s Ellie Wilson, Gomez was left clutching her right knee and subsequently couldn’t continue, putting her in doubt for a potential Matildas debut later this month having been called up for the games against Brazil and Chinese Taipei.
Both sides then had several chances in the second half and it was Victory skipper Kayla Morrison who ultimately took hers to level proceedings up with five minutes left on the clock, heading in from close range to make it 1-1.
The result leaves the Mariners sat in fifth on the ladder after their third draw of the season while Victory remain third.
With the sun beating down at Jubilee Stadium both sides gradually eased their way into the game.
Recently recalled Matildas forward Emily Gielnik saw an effort deflect inches wide of the post before the Mariners then broke the deadlock.
Drifting into space on the edge of the area, Rasmussen received the ball from Nunn and found the far corner via a bobbling effort which deceived keeper Courtney Newbon.
In what was the game’s biggest talking point, Matildas hopeful Gomez was then forced from the field in the second half, unable to continue after being caught late in a tackle.
Clutching her knee whilst on the ground, Gomez was promptly substituted due to the injury and was later pictured sat on the bench in some discomfort after the challenge.
No doubt a worry for boss Husband and the Mariners, Gomez’s potential injury will be a worry for CommBank Matildas interim head coach Tom Sermanni after he called Gomez up for the Matildas’ upcoming games against Brazil and Chinese Taipei.
Victory finally found the breakthrough late in the contest when defender Claudia Bunge hooked a ball back across the face of goal and on to the head of captain Morrison, who leapt highest to nod home the equaliser.
