It’s a split round in the Ninja A-League with just two matches taking place and aleagues.com.au has everything you need to know ahead of both encounters.
First up on Saturday, an undefeated Melbourne City host winless Western Sydney Wanderers at AAMI Park in the first part of an A-Leagues double-header between both the men’s and women’s sides.
Then attention turns to Industree Group Stadium as Central Coast Mariners face off against Canberra United in Saturday’s second game of what is a truncated round.
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Saturday, 2:15pm (AEDT): Melbourne City v Western Sydney Wanderers
AAMI Park – 10 BOLD, Paramount+ and 10 Play
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Still undefeated so far this season, Michael Matricciani’s Melbourne City will be aiming to prolong that run when they host the Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.
Second in the standings with eight points so far this season, reigning premiers City have two wins and two draws from their opening four matches, the most recent of which saw them come from behind to secure a point against reigning champions Sydney FC in Unite Round.
Key to their impressive start to the season has been American import Lourdes Bosch who, with three goals and two assists, has been one of the standout players so far this campaign.
Also adding plenty of punch in City’s attack is Rhianna Pollicina, with the 27-year-old contributing two goals and two assists from her four matches.
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However, something that will be a cause for concern for Matricciani is the fact his side are yet to keep a clean sheet this season having conceded seven goals in four matches.
On the other side of the equation are the winless Western Sydney Wanderers who arrive in Victoria having suffered a heavy loss in Unite Round.
Beaten 4-0 by league leaders Brisbane Roar last time out, the Wanderers have struggled at both ends of the field this season.
In fact, since racing into a two-goal lead in the 27th minute of their Round 1 clash with the Newcastle Jets, Robbie Hooker’s side have failed to find the back of the net.
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With that opening round match-up ultimately finishing in a draw, the Wanderers have subsequently gone on to lose 2-0 at home to Adelaide United, 1-0 to rivals Sydney FC in the Derby and then 4-0 to Brisbane Roar in Unite Round.
Sat at the bottom of the ladder, the Wanderers have had fewer shots on target than any other side whilst only Perth Glory (10th) have had fewer touches inside the opposition penalty area.
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Saturday, 4:00pm (AEDT): Central Coast Mariners v Canberra United
Industree Group Stadium – Paramount+ and 10 Play
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Another undefeated side heading into a shortened Round 5 is Emily Husband’s Central Coast Mariners.
Succumbing to a late equaliser against Melbourne Victory in Unite Round, the Mariners have now drawn three matches in a row after initially defeating Sydney FC in the opening round.
With two goals in her last two matches academy graduate Annalise Rasmussen is beginning to catch fire this campaign whilst English import Jade Pennock has certainly caught the eye since joining the club in the off-season.
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However one cause for concern for Husband will be the fact key central midfielder Isabel Gomez remains under an injury cloud.
Substituted in the second-half of the Unite Round clash with Melbourne Victory, Gomez suffered a suspected knee injury in a heavy challenge and the club are now awaiting scans to determine the extent of any damage that may have been done.
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Furthermore, Gomez is also due to join up with the CommBank Matildas squad after this weekend’s game against Canberra after she was handed a maiden call-up by interim head coach Tom Sermanni.
Another side who secured a hard-fought point in Unite Round was Canberra United, who drew 1-1 with Perth.
Having suffered their first loss of the campaign in Round 3 against Adelaide, Antoni Jagarinec’s side rode their luck at times against Perth before rescuing a point thanks to a stunning strike from Mary Stanic-Floody.
Sat fourth on the ladder with seven points to their name, Jagarinec’s team began the season with consecutive clean sheets and the head coach will be hoping the defensive resilience which has abandoned them in recent weeks returns for the clash in Gosford.
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Despite being level with Western Sydney (three) for the fewest shots on target per game this season, Canberra have certainly looked dangerous when they get into advanced positions.
Looking to play to the strengths of a front line which features Matildas forward Michelle Heyman and impressive new signing Maja Markovski, Canberra have scored five goals so far this campaign and will feel as though that number should have been greater.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR ROUND 5 OF THE NINJA A-LEAGUE!
