Canberra United has scored its third win of the 2009 Westfield W-League season with a spirited 3-1 victory over the Newcastle Jets in heatwave conditions at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Canberra controlled the opening 45 minutes of the match with forward Cian Maciejewski poking home in the tenth minute for the visitors to take a deserved 1-0 lead at half-time. The Jets played better in the second half and leveled the match via a penalty to skipper Amber Neilson in the 55th minute.
But Canberra regained momentum with livewire Chinese-Taipei international Shu O Tseng slotting home in the 78th minute before Canberra midfielder Kahlia Hogg sealed the win with a long-range effort two minutes later.
The win keeps Canberra on the edge of the top four while the Jets are still winless after eight rounds of the WNL.
The fixture got underway in oppressive conditions with a gusty westerly wind and temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius which forced officials to adopt mandatory drinks breaks throughout the match.
It was the visitors who seemed to adapt better to the conditions with Tseng leading the first attack forcing a good save from Newcastle goalkeeper Alison Logue in just the fifth minute of the match.
Canberra took the lead in the 10th minute when Tseng swung a free-kick into the area for Maciejewski to get a piece on the ball through a crowded box to opening the scoring.
Canberra looked like it might double its advantage with Ashleigh Sykes and Maciejewski firing wide after good lead-up work through the midfield and Newcastle was lucky to go into the break trailing by the solitary goal.
The home side came out better in the second half and drew level through a penalty in the 55th minute. Canberra defender Bronwyn Studman brought down Jets striker Tara Andrews and Neilson made no mistake from the spot to make it 1-1.
The Jets continued to hold the momentum and went close with substitute Carlie Ikononmou and Neilson having chances.
Canberra regained the lead against the run of play with Tseng again igniting the attack. She got on the outside of two Jets defenders before firing a great right-footed shot past an outstretched Logue and inside the far post to make it 2-1 after 78 minutes.
Canberra defensive midfielder Kahlia Hogg sealed the win two minutes later when she landed a long-range shot from 30 metres out for Canberra to stay in touch with the top teams while the Jets are languishing near the foot of the table.
Newcastle Jets 1
(Neilson 55pen)
Canberra United 3
(Maciejewski 10, Tseng 78, Hogg 80)
At EnergyAustralia Stadium.
