This match-up is a perennial highlight on the Westfield W-League calendar and another high quality contest is assured as the leaders welcome of the league’s in-form teams.
The two clubs have played out some crucial matches over the years. Among them two semi-finals, and a premiership decider.
And this one could prove pivotal in determining the outcome of the current campaign. Heading into the final month of the regular season Sydney sit top two points clear of Canberra, though having played a match more.
Sydney’s recent results have been hard-fought wins, while Canberra have collected some hefty victories, plus the scalp of Melbourne City. Canberra’s gritty 2-1 midweek win over struggling Victory proves even the most in-form of teams can be troubled in this league.
And Sydney FC have more than enough quality and experience to do just that. With attacking options such as Kyah Simon, Leena Khamis, newly-crowned Asian Player of the Year Caitlin Foord and Nigerian signing Francisca Ordega they have an impressive array of firepower.
Canberra, of course, are in a similar position with their stocks further improved by the arrival of a hungry Lisa De Vanna after her self-imposed brief absence from the game. Hayley Raso has also returned from a quad injury, while there was a very welcome return for Emma Checker from a year-long knee injury.
On the debit side, Michelle Heyman is set to sit this one out after a nasty looking ankle injury suffered in that match against the Victory.
Sydney FC v Canberra United
Tuesday 3 January 2017
Venue: Lambert Park
Kick-Off: 4:00PM (Local) (4:00PM (AEDT))
Referee: Katie Patterson
Assistant Referee 1: Sarah Ho
Assistant Referee 2: Delfina Dimoski
Fourth Official: Rebecca Davies
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To purchase tickets visit www.w-league.com.au/tickets
Sydney FC squad: 1.Sham KHAMIS (gk), 2. Teresa POLIAS (c), 3.Remy SIEMSEN, 4.Elizabeth RALSTON, 6.Servet UZUNLAR, 7.Nicola BOLGER, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Francisca ORDEGA, 11.Natalie TOBIN, 12.Olivia PRICE, 13.Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 14.Alanna KENNEDY, 15.Sarah EASTHOPE (gk), 17.Kyah SIMON, 19.Leena KHAMIS, 20.Princess IBINI. **one to be omitted**
Ins: 2. Teresa POLIAS (return from suspension), 6. Servet UZUNLAR (promoted)
Outs: 16. Hannah BACON (no selected)
Unavailable: Nil
Canberra United squad: Canberra United squad: 1.Trudy BURKE (gk), 2.Yukari KINGA, 4.Clare HUNT, 5.Jenna McCORMICK, 8.Hayley RASO, 9.Jasmyne SPENCER 10.Grace MAHER, 12.Hannah BREWER, 13.Celeste BOUREILLE, 14.Ashley SYKES, 15.Emma CHECKER, 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 19.Nickoletta FLANNERY, 20.Georgia BORIC (gk), 22.Stephanie OCHS, 32.Lisa DE VANNA **one to be omitted*”
Ins: 16 Karly REOSTBAKKEN (Promoted) 32.Lisa DE VANNA (Promoted)
Outs: 11.Michelle HEYMAN (Ankle – 3-4 weeks)
Unavailable: 7.Ellie BRUSH (Knee – 1 Week)
