Melbourne Victory have rescued a point at the death against Canberra United in their A-League Women clash on Tuesday night, but the draw could still have a big impact on their finals chances.
RECAP: KEEPUP’S LIVE COVERAGE OF A-LEAGUES ON TUESDAY
The visitors found goals through Alex Chidiac and Tiffany Eliadis to rescue a 2-2 draw, having fallen behind 2-0 when United struck through Chelsee Washington and Michelle Heyman at Viking Park.
The hosts found two first-half goals and looked on track to net just their second win of the season, particularly when 17-year-old keeper Chloe Lincoln denied Victory’s Maja Markovski from the penalty spot as they looked to get back into the game.
Washington opened the scoring on 41 minutes, blasting a shot home from close range after otherwise-impressive Victory keeper Casey Dumont bobbled a save, before Heyman found herself with space on the stroke of halftime and chipped the ball home for the 2-0 advantage.
After Canberra’s one-two punch, Victory thought they’d found a lifeline when Hayley Taylor-Young hacked down Catherine Zimmerman in the box, but Lincoln guessed correctly from the spot kick, diving to her right and controlling Markovski’s shot.
Victory finally pulled one back on 82 minutes as Courtney Nevin’s cross was met by Chidiac’s looping header.
And Eliadis levelled things in stoppage time with another header from a Nevin cross beating a fumbling Lincoln.
The draw meant little for United’s season with the team already guaranteed to miss finals, but it has potentially serious ramifications for Victory.
Instead of going four points clear of fifth-placed Perth Glory, Victory are now just two points ahead with each team having two games left before finals.
Victory now travel to Adelaide before closing their season with another clash with Canberra.
LIVE FEED
By Matt Comito for KEEPUP
FULL-TIME: CANBERRA 2-2 VICTORY
Victory looked set for a shock defeat on the road before late goals from Chidiac and Eliadis dragged Jeff Hopkins side back into it to snatch a point at the death.
The result hands fourth-placed Victory a two-point lead over Perth Glory in fifth with two games to play.
Watch the highlights below.
GOAL! Eliadis with the stoppage-time leveller (7.16pm AEDT)
A towering header at the back post from Tiffany Eliadis has seen Victory come from two goals down to draw level with Canberra at Viking Park.
Victory were 2-0 down with 10 minutes to play but have turned it all around with two late goals.
GOAL! Chidiac the difference-maker as the deficit halves (7.06pm AEDT)
A Courtney Nevin cross from the left flank has found the head of Victory substitute Alex Chidiac, meeting the Matildas midfielder’s head as she broke into the box to head home her first goal of the season and give her side hope.
It’s 2-1 with less than 10 minutes to play as Canberra cling to their slender advantage.
PENALTY SAVED! Lincoln wraps up Markovski’s spot kick (6.33pm AEDT)
“Chloe Lincoln has arrived!”
Those were the words of Paramount+ co-commentator Grace Gill as teenage keeper Lincoln denied Markovski from the spot.
Lincoln managed to hold onto the stop low to her right and avoid Markovski running in to score from the rebound, keeping Canberra’s 2-0 lead intact.
SECOND HALF: CANBERRA 2-0 VICTORY (5.30PM AEDT)
Maja Markovski comes on for Victory in an attacking move which sees Emma Robers replaced at the break.
Victory need an almighty lift in the second half to avoid defeat at Viking Park.
GOAL! Victory picked apart as Canberra make it two (6.15pm AEDT)
What a goal from the home side.
A masterful passing manoeuvre around the box began and ended with Heyman, with Washington and Sykes both adding neat touches to the move to set up their captain to finish from close range.
GOAL! Washington puts Canberra ahead (6.07pm AEDT)
That wasn’t on the pre-game script – Canberra have taken a 1-0 lead over top-four aspirants Victory through Chelsee Washington.
Victory came into this contest as favourites as Jeff Hopkins’ side look to consolidate their spot in the top four, but Canberra have been the better side in the first half – and a one-goal lead gives the hosts reward for effort.
SAVE: Lincoln gets down to deny Zimmerman (5.40pm AEDT)
Chloe Lincoln to the rescue for Canberra!
The 17-year-old keeper got down to her left to palm a strong Catherine Zimmerman strike away from the bottom-right corner of goal.
KICK-OFF: Underway at Viking Park (5.30pm AEDT)
Michelle Heyman and Ash Sykes have looked dangerous in the opening five minutes at Viking Park.
A low shot from Heyman in the fifth minute of play from a narrow angle called Casey Dumont into an early save as the hosts get on top early.
PRE-MATCH
Melbourne Victory must target maximum points against Canberra on the road to keep fifth-placed Perth Glory at bay.
Perth stunned Victory last time out to draw within one point of the top four; anything less than three points earned at Viking Park tonight will open the door for Alex Epakis’ side to storm into the top four at Victory’s expense.
