Melbourne City punched to their ticket to the AFC Women’s Champions League quarter-finals courtesy of a 3-0 win over College of Asian Scholars in Bangkok, Thailand.
City will host a home quarter-final in March after the reigning Ninja A-League Premiers made it two wins from two games in Group B on Thursday (AEDT).
Goals from new signings Mariana Speckmaier, Tyla-Jay Vlajnic and Lourdes Bosch sealed top spot with one group-phase fixture remaining in the inaugural Champions League.
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“The objective from day one when I came on board was to qualify for the quarter-finals and to finish top of the group to get a home final,” new head coach Michael Matricciani told reporters post-match, with City to close out the group stage against Filipino champions Kaya-Iloilo on Saturday.
“That’s really important so we’re definitely very happy with that.
“And it’s a good opportunity to keep building, integrating new players into the group. What better way to do it here in Thailand and enjoying this Champions League group stage.”
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Matricciani named an unchanged XI from Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Iranian outfit Bam Khatoon FC.
Player of the Match Speckmaier made it two goals in two games following her arrival from Wellington Phoenix to open the scoring before Vlajnic doubled the lead with her first goal for City in six years, having returned from Western United.
City put the result beyond doubt via American substitute Bosch, who celebrated her first professional goal.
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“Today we got pressed a bit more so having to play through that press, I thought we did that extremely well,” said Matricciani, who hilariously turned to the press officer and sounded out how to pronounce his name.
“There were a couple of moments where we got caught out but I think that was due to them being well organised in their press. I have to give them credit.
“I thought we moved them better than in the first match. So our patterns of play in wide areas and combinations in the final third I think we’re seeing slight improvements.
“But I think we have a long way to go. Once we do click, we will be opening up teams a lot more.”
