Michelle Heyman became the first player to make 200 Ninja A-League appearances and Canberra United qualified for the Ninja A-League Finals Series on Sunday.
Heyman’s history-making game saw Canberra edge Wellington Phoenix 1-0 in the penultimate round at McKellar Park.
The result clinched Canberra’s top-six berth at the expense of both Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC as the capital club return to the finals for the first time since 2020-21, having finished 11th last season.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE
All eyes were on Heyman in her landmark appearance while Canberra were eyeing their third straight win against a Wellington side desperately fighting to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Phoenix enjoyed the better start in the nation’s capital, where an Annalie Longo free-kick hit the crossbar in the eighth minute before Wellington went close again 13 minutes later.
Canberra nearly hit the front in the 24th minute when Heyman found herself in a one-on-one situation with Carolina Vilao but the Phoenix goalkeeper got down low to deny the legendary striker.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE
However, Canberra broke the deadlock from the resulting corner as Ayson put the ball into the back of the net.
It should have been 2-0 for Canberra at half-time but Heyman wasted a gilt-edged opportunity. With an open goal at her mercy after Aideen Keane’s shot was saved, Heyman somehow sent the ball wide from the goal line.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE
Wellington huffed and puffed in the second half but Heyman and Canberra were not to be denied on home soil as finals football awaits.
