Philippines international Sarina Bolden turned in another masterclass as her incredible season continues. These are the key talking points from Round 15 in the Liberty A-League.
Bolden on ‘another level’ as Jets down Phoenix
She may have only walked away with one goal to her name but Sarina Bolden was borderline ‘unplayable’ against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.
The Philippines international put on a complete performance in Newcastle, laying on an assist for Libby Copus-Brown, scoring the match-winning goal whilst also playing her part for the Jets’ opener.
In fact, Bolden was the most creative player on the pitch, creating four chances all up and even hitting the woodwork with a spectacular effort of her own before scoring her eighth goal of the season in just 10 matches.
MATCH REPORT: Brilliant Bolden fires Newcastle to thrilling win over Wellington
“She’s slotted in so well,” remarked former Matilda and Dubzone expert Alicia Ferguson. “She’s had the experience of a World Cup, she’s slotted into Newcastle and she just looks like she’s enjoying her football and she’s really driving the team on.”
“Honestly, I think she’s exceptional,” added Sydney FC star Mackenzie Hawkesby who was a guest on Dubzone. “When we played her, the intensity that she plays at is through the roof.
“I think she brings everyone around her’s level up to be honest and I don’t know why that is. Whether it’s from the World Cup but she has an eye for goal, she’s scoring goals.
“To me, she’s on another level and she’s unreal to play against.”
After what was Ryan Campbell’s first win as a Liberty A-League coach, the Jets are now up into eighth place on the ladder, just one point outside the finals positions ahead of an away trip to Western Sydney in Round 16.
Stats? Canberra show they’re just a number
Talk about executing a plan to perfection, Canberra United got it done against Melbourne City.
The league’s bottom side took down table-topping Melbourne City 3-1 at McKellar Park on Sunday.
Canberra defied their ladder position, form and match stats to stun the Championship hopefuls in the nation’s capital, where Michelle Heyman, Mary Stanic-Floody and Nikki Flannery led the hosts to victory.
MATCH REPORT: Liberty A-League boilover! Bottom side Canberra trump table-topping City
The capital club celebrated just their third win of the campaign and first over City since 2021, despite managing just 33% possession throughout the contest. They had less than 30% possession in the opening half and still led 2-0.
City finished with 66.7%, yet came away empty-handed. Dario Vidosic’s side also outpassed Canberra 569-280. Of those passes, 317 were in the opposition’s half. Compare that to Canberra, who tallied just 116 throughout the 90 minutes. Then, if you want to dig deeper, the visitors had 189 passes in the final third, while Canberra completed 67.
Yet, Canberra earned maximum points. They picked apart City on the counter-attack.
Canberra had eight shots, with five on target. They finished with three goals.
City put up 15 shots. Five of those were on target, however they only scored once late on.
‘A good story for the league’
Step forward Chrissy Panagaris.
Panagaris came off the bench and scored the winning goal in the 85th minute in Adelaide United’s 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers.
Within three minutes of her introduction, she had netted her first A-Leagues goal – a memorable moment for player and club.
The 24-year-old has been in and around Adelaide’s set-up – as a train-on player and injury-replacement player in the past.
“You can see from my reaction how happy I was for her because it’s a good story for the league,” said head coach Adrian Stenta.
“Someone that did some training with us at a young age and then went away for a period of time, worked on her game came back to us, and has been working really hard to get herself in physical condition to be a real impact player at this level.
“So she’s someone that we’re keen to continue to work with and see where she can get to and I think it’s a good story for the club and for the local league and for our A-League as well.”
Vine dazzles as Sydney make statement
Matildas star Cortnee Vine scored twice and provided an assist as a youthful Sydney FC side made a statement in their 3-1 win over Perth Glory on Saturday night.
One stat in particular left a Liberty A-League legend stunned.
Click here for the full story.
‘Bizarre circumstances’ that may have created an A-Leagues ‘trivia question’
The first ever meeting between Western United and Central Coast Mariners in the Liberty A-League will be remembered for a strange reason.
Kat Smith’s Western ran out 2-1 winners but a rare injury was a talking point.
Click here for the full story.
Yallop scores again but Victory find a way past the Roar
Melbourne Victory surged into the top six with a 2-1 victory over Brisbane Roar on Saturday as Rachel Lowe netted the winner from the penalty spot.
Matildas midfielder Tameka Yallop scored again, but it wasn’t enough to get here side over the line.
