Melbourne Victory only scraped into the A-League Women finals after surviving a determined Canberra United effort to secure a 0-0 draw on Friday night, but coach Jeff Hopkins remains confident they can mount a title push.
Victory’s best chances in the clash at AAMi Park arrived very late and after a number of Canberra opportunities, the home side nonetheless escaping with a share of the spoils to move them onto 24 points in the final standings.
Perth Glory downed Wellington 3-1 in a simultaneous kick-off in Wollongong to also end on 24 points but with their goal difference seven back of Victory.
Victory now find themselves staring down the barrel of a visit to red-hot Adelaide United in the first week of the finals – a side that beat them 3-0 at Coopers Stadium a week ago.
Nonetheless, coach Jeff Hopkins believes there are enough nascent signs, especially with the benefit of added rest, for hope.
“I look at the last three or four games and I can easily see that there have been reasons for the lack of form, for the lack of results,” he said.
“We’re all quite clear on what we need to do and what we need to do better.
“Having another six, seven-day break… we’ll be much better for it. Fatigue really does affect the way we play.
“We went to Brisbane last year after losing 6-0 to them and then put six past them. We’ve been there, we’ve had to do two away trips to win it so that side of things doesn’t phase us.”
Led by ALW record-holder for goals Michelle Heyman, Canberra’s frequent forays forward in transition forced Victory to frequently desperately scramble to avoid defeat – as well as ride their luck on a few occasions.
Victory goalkeeper Dumont was best on ground for her side, with her intervention key in keeping Victory in it and allowing their late chances to Harriet Withers, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Catherine Zimmerman to almost win it.
After at one point looking set to claim the wooden-spoon, Canberra United are undefeated in their last four and finished sixth on the table.
Unfortunately for coach Vicki Linton, ALW’s long offseason means it will be difficult for them to capitalise on their late momentum heading into the 2022-23 season.
“I don’t think (momentum) can with a big off-season,” she said.
“There tends to be turnover
“In my last two seasons we’ve had to start from scratch and it’s taken all this time to get players that have come in really bedded in.”
RE-LIVE: Victory v Canberra, as it happened
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
FULL-TIME: VICTORY 0-0 CANBERRA
That was close for the home side – but Victory are on their way to the finals after drawing 0-0 with Canberra at AAMI Park.
Victory goal… but it’s offside! (6.49pm AEDT)
The hosts looked to have released the pressure valve as Chidiac flicked Zimmerman’s strike into the back of the net – but the offside flag went up to rule out the Matildas midfielder’s late strike.
The pivotal moment came after Cooney-Cross lashed a long-range strike off the post as Victory hammer at Canberra’s door looking to make their spot in the finals a certainty.
15 minutes to go… (6.40pm AEDT)
It’s tense at AAMI Park. With Perth up 3-0 against Wellington, and Victory locked at 0-0 with Canberra, a late Canberra goal will go a long way to quashing Victory’s finals hopes.
Canberra coach Vicki Linton sums up the tension best:
Cooney-Cross yellow means potential finals suspension (6.23pm AEDT)
A fourth yellow card of the season for Cooney-Cross means the Victory star will miss the opening round of the finals should Victory end this game in fourth spot.
It won’t be on the mind of Victory boss Jeff Hopkins at this stage; but could cause serious headaches next week.
Robinne rattles the post (6.15pm AEDT)
An individual piece of brilliance from Michelle Heyman sparked the chance for Margot Robinne to rattle the post from a tight angle as Canberra go for the jugular at AAMI Park.
Heyman was close to an incredible goal, driving off the right flank through a number of Victory defenders. Dumont got off her line to save, before Robinne swept on the loose ball and struck it against the post.
HALF-TIME
A nervy second half awaits for Victory who would love a goal to ease the pressure.
Canberra on the charge as Chidiac rattles the post for Victory (5.34pm AEDT)
With Perth leading Wellington 1-0, there’s pressure on Victory to record at least a point here at AAMI Park.
Michelle Heyman and Allira Toby are coming alive up front for Canberra, with Casey Dumont put to the test in goal for Victory.
But the busiest of the goalkeepers remains Lincoln, who leapt backwards to tip an Alex Chidiac corner off the post in her second magnificent stop of the game so far.
SAVE! Lincoln keeps Canberra level (5.21pm AEDT)
That was clutch by 17-year-old Chloe Lincoln.
Cooney-Cross’ through ball unpicked the lock to the Canberra defence and Catherine Zimmerman was through – but Lincoln was quick to get off her line, diving at the feet of the Victory forward to smother the one-on-one opportunity.
KICK-OFF (5.05PM AEDT)
It’s high stakes at AAMI Park as Victory target maximum points with Perth Glory hot on their heels.
