Welcome to Made With Mitre Moments, where aleagues.com.au brings you all the biggest talking points from each round of the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season.
Read on for all the biggest talking points from Round 14, thanks to Mitre.
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‘Gutted’ Victory look to the positives after dramatic Derby draw
Melbourne Victory forward Rachel Lowe conceded Victory were gutted not to come away from the ctrl:cyber Pitch with all three points at the weekend.
Lowe’s early strike in the fifth minute of the contest had the away side poised to move to the top of the Ninja A-League whilst also inflicting a first defeat of the season upon their local rivals.
However an 89th minute equaliser scored by Mariana Speckmaier ensured the home side kept their unbeaten start to the season in-tact whilst also protecting their spot on top of the ladder.
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“I thought we dominated the majority of the game,” said Lowe. “They got into the game a bit more in the last stages of the game but pretty gutted, honestly.
“We wanted to come away with three points but to draw it at the end was disappointing. But I think it’s a really positive game for us to show that we can dominate a team like City.”
“I think we’re still finding what works for us. People are playing out of position, we’ve had injuries, we’ve had players leave so we’ve had to re-group and find what works for us and I think we’re still finding that.
“We’re not at our best so far so I think it’s positive that we’re winning games and getting on a run of three or four games unbeaten so I think it’s all positive going into the last half of the season.”
Lowe added: “We’re always building throughout the week to try improve little things, little tweaks and find better rhythm within the team because we’re still a little bit clunky I’d say.”
Having bagged the late equaliser, City forward Speckmaier now sits on five goals for the campaign and believes the fact her side were able to mount their late comeback speaks volumes for the character in the side.
“Overall I thought we put in a really good performance,” said Speckmaier. “I think we dominated most of the game, possessed most of it, created some chances and we were finally able to put one away at the end.
“It felt amazing (got get a point). Obviously we want to go into every game wanting to win but staying undefeated is such an amazing achievement, even this deep into the season.
“It just shows the fight we have and how bad we want it.”
Next up for City is a home clash against Western United in midweek where a win for Michael Matricciani’s side would see them extend their lead out to five points at the top.
‘We have to be better’: Jets legend’s honest assessment following Derby demolition
Newcastle Jets captain Cassidy Davis says her side’s 5-1 capitulation against Central Coast simply wasn’t good enough.
Going 1-0 down to an early Brooke Nunn goal, the Jets dragged themselves level through Josie Allan in the 30th minute only to then collapse at Industree Group Stadium.
“We were in it for large parts, especially the first half and we had a lot of chances but didn’t take them and that hurts us,” said Davis when reflecting on the result.
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“When you get so much momentum and so many chances and opportunities and you don’t take them (then) you get one at the other end, it’s really tough to come back.
“I think second-half they definitely came out and put a tough performance on. We had to adapt but it’s really disappointing when you concede so many goals but you were right in the game.”
Under the microscope following the heavy defeat was Jets keeper Danielle Krzyzaniak who committed two errors that lead directly to two of the Mariners’ five goals.
“Obviously they’re goals that you don’t want to concede, not only for the player but for the team,” said Davis when asked for her take on her side conceding cheap goals.
“What annoys me is people around not sticking up and getting in and saying things. Simple messaging.
“It hurts when you get a goal back and then you concede one like that. It’s happened a few times this season but we have to be better.
She continued: “They’re just moments that really hurt both the team and the individual. Not much more to say.”
The result leaves the Jets sat in 11th spot on the ladder having now lost seven matches this season and they now have the daunting task of facing ladder-leaders Melbourne City at home in Round 15.
“That’s what we play for and Newcastle like the challenge. We like to leave it to the last minute sometimes so we’ll give everything we can for the rest of the season and try not to get ahead of ourselves.
Nix captain laments set-piece woes after second-straight loss
Wellington Phoenix lost ground on the Ninja A-League’s top six in Round 14 after succumbing to a 1-0 loss against Brisbane Roar at Perry Park.
A second-half header from teenage star Grace Kuilamu proved to be the difference between the two sides meaning the Phoenix now sit eighth on the ladder and three points behind the top six.
“We’re absolutely gutted,” said captain Annalie Longo after the game. “I think we put in a really good performance (and) I think we dominated a large period of the game and again, (our) quality in the final third, (we) aren’t able to put the ball in the back of the net.”
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The ‘Nix have now lost three of their last four matches with all of those defeats coming away from home and Longo believes the side’s lack of cutting edge in the final third is proving too costly.
“The final bit of quality and execution,” said Longo when asked what has been the club’s issue of late.
“I think we were getting into good areas but maybe that final pass or decision making in the final third wasn’t good enough and just that desire to get on the end of the ball.
“We had a number of set-pieces and just not being able to get onto the first or second phase ball and unfortunately sometimes football’s not in your favour and today that was for us.
“All round I think it was a very good performance from us but (we) were just lacking in that final third tonight.”
“Obviously we go through things in training and we’ve obviously got tall timber around the pitch so we should be dominating set-pieces and at the moment we’re just not quite getting that quality in there.
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“We’ll look at that at training, we need to be better. As you see you know they’ve won the game on a set-piece and we need to be doing that as well.”
The good news for Wellington though is that Paul Temple and his side return to fortress Porirua Park in Round 15 as they face title-chasing Melbourne Victory.
New aggressive approach paying dividends for Western
Western United kick-started their weekend in style and now sit in sixth place on the ladder after thrashing Western Sydney Wanderers 4-1 at Ironbark Fields.
Goals from Chloe Logarzo, Melissa Taranto and Sara Eggesvik had the home side leading 3-0 by the 35-minute mark and key defender Grace Maher believes their focus on trying to start games in a fast and aggressive manner has been their key to success of late.
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“We always try to start hard and fast but I think after our performance against Wanderers away a few weeks ago we really wanted to come out and make a statement because that didn’t feel good,” said Maher.
“So we were really happy to go ahead early and then dictate the game.
“We’ve obviously had a few games this season where we were disappointed and it was that inconsistency in our aggression.
“So we’ve really looked to be a lot more aggressive and I think you saw that against Melbourne CIty and it’s continued in the last four games.
“It just means that we create chances out of nothing, (that) high-pressure and we don’t really give teams a chance to breathe.
She added: “With some wind here in Tarneit as well it just adds that extra pressure that we’re able to counter on.”
The win was Western’s second in the space of four games and their impressive recent form now sees them occupy a spot in the top six.
Up next for Kat Smith’s side is a midweek clash against unbeaten league-leaders Melbourne City.
As daunting as the trip to ctrl:cyber Pitch may sound, the good news is that Melbourne City have never recorded a victory over Western United since the side from Tarneit entered the competition.
Sydney refuse to lose belief despite latest set-back
Despite bagging what looked to be a dramatic equaliser in the 93rd minute against Adelaide United, Sydney FC still ended up recording their 8th loss of the season in Round 14.
Having just rescued what they thought would be a hard-earned point, the Sky Blues then conceded less than 60-seconds later as Chelsie Dawber scored a 94th-minute winner to seal a 3-2 win.
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“It’s frustrating, we’re definitely going through it at the club at the moment,” said Sydney FC striker Millie Farrow when speaking to Paramount+ after the game.
“But we all believe in each other and the fact that we were so close again to getting points on the board shows how much we’re building on what we’re trying to do.”
For Farrow, it’s been a frustrating start to life in the Harbour City.
Joining the defending Champions in the off-season from Perth Glory, the English forward has had her game time limited due to a series of muscle injuries in what’s been a blow to both player and club as the Sky Blues continue to dwell towards the foot of the ladder.
“This is my first season at Sydney and it’s been a little bit frustrating having a couople of injuries. I don’t feel as though I’ve been able to impact the team as much as I’ve wanted to.
“Today was a step in the right direction, coming on and scoring an equaliser, and obviously we just missed out in the last few minutes.
She went on to say: “That’s my first goal of the season and, for a striker, it’s a little bit like the monkey’s off the back now so hopefully for the rest of the season I can keep scoring and help the team get points on the board.”
Sat second-last on the ladder with just 10 points to their names, it’s looking incredibly likely that Ante Juric’s side won’t be playing finals football this season.
However, whilst there are still points to play for, Farrow says the entire team still believes they can turn things around in time.
“Everybody’s on board with that and I think you could definitely see that from the last thirty minutes of the game as well.
“There’s still a chance for us to make it into the finals. Until it’s mathematically not possible then we’re going to give absolutely everything until we get there.
The Sky Blues will hope to bounce back from their latest defeat when they face Western United at Leichhardt Oval in Round 15.
Canberra hot on the heels of top six after hard-fought win over Perth
Canberra United secured their third win in five matches in Round 14 after grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Perth Glory.
Elizabeth Anton’s goal in the 56th minute against her old side proved to be the difference between the two teams with the result ensuring Canberra remain a point outside the top six.
“It’s always good to get the three points against your old team and to score is great,” said Anton after the game.
“But yeah I think we probably wanted a cleaner performance out of the match but we’ve had a big couple of weeks so we take the three points, we keep taking it game by game and see where we can go.”
The New Zealand international traded Perth for the Nation’s capital in the off-season and has been a key figure for the side this season, featuring 12 times for Antoni Jagarinec’s side.
“I’m really enjoying it. It’s great to have a bit of freshness, (new) coach, learning different things from new coaches.
“Canberra is a lovely place to be, I’m just really enjoying. It’s a good group of girls, hopefully we make finals and yeah, I’m really excited for the rest of the season.”
Next up for Anton and Co is a home clash against Central Coast Mariners in Round 15 in what will certainly be a strenuous examination of their top six credentials.
“They’re a pretty strong, direct team with really good ball players as well in their midfield and central roles so I think we’ll be having a really tough game against them.
“We’re looking forward to it. We’re really looking forward to Heritage Round at home to celebrate our great club and all the past players we’ve had here so I’m really looking forward to it. Should be a great round.”