Ahead of this afternoon’s blockbuster Westfield W-League semi-final, Melbourne City keeper Lydia Williams says all the pressure is on Premiers Brisbane Roar.
While City is back-to-back champions, they head into the clash at Perry Park having finished in fourth spot and eight points behind first-placed Roar.
And in two meetings this season, Roar prevailed 2-0 at Suncorp Stadium while the other clash in Melbourne finished goalless.
Now with a spot in next weekend’s decider on the line, Williams says City go into the semi-final with nothing to lose.
“I think halfway through the season everyone thought of us as underdogs going into games,” the City shot-stopper said.
“To have that pressure off us, I think we’ve been riding off the second half of the season with freedom and not that pressure of trying to defend your title.
“It feels a bit freer going into the finals this time.
“Once finals football hits, whatever happened before or during the season, it’s all off the table. It goes one game at a time and it’s all riding on this one this weekend.”
City head into the finals on the back of a morale-boosting 3-0 win away from home against Newcastle Jets last weekend.
Williams says she can feel the momentum building amongst the squad and admits they did get a shot of confidence from the clash at McDonald Jones stadium.
While praising Roar for their superb consistency to win the Premiers’ Plate, Williams has no doubt Mel Andreatta’s side are beatable.
“Every team has their weaknesses and if we’re playing the best we can, we can break down and beat anyone on any given day,” Williams said.
“While its pressure on us its pressure on them as well that they have to do what they have to do.
“The confidence you get from the final game of a regular season that helps with the momentum.”
