W-League Preview: Canberra United v Sydney FC

Canberra United host Sydney FC tonight in one of the highlights of the Westfield W-League calendar.

Canberra United v Sydney FC
Wednesday 29 January 2014
McKellar Park, Canberra
Local kick-off: 7pm

Canberra United host Sydney FC tonight in one of the highlights of the Westfield W-League calendar.

The pair share a rich history of competition having both been perennial challengers over the course of the competition-s six-year history.

Sydney have suffered just one defeat across just seven matches between the pair. Canberra will have the opportunity to turn around that record when they tackle the unbeaten leaders twice within the coming 11 days.

The first is in the nation-s capital on Wednesday on what promises to be a sparkling evening of high-quality entertainment.

The Sky Blues are in rare form, while Canberra are notoriously tough at home having won three of their four matches on their own turf this season.

United are virtually at full strength for this match and lone absentee Sally Shipard could return for Sunday-s visit by Newcastle Jets.

The Canberrans are building nicely on the back of successive wins and can now concentrate on their finals campaign after locking down a top-four berth with their 5-1 victory over Perth Glory on the weekend.

The visitors have netted a remarkable 32 goals in nine matches to date, and their collective attacking options up against Canberra-s high-quality goalkeeper Lydia Williams will make for a fascinating sub-plot.

Cause for optimism, if any were needed, was provided by Adelaide United who proved that the competition leaders are not invincible with the Sky Blues needing an eleventh hour winner to escape the City of Churches with all three points last weekend.

Canberra United squad: Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), Catherine BROWN, Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, Kendall FLETCHER, Caitlin MUNOZ, Ellie BRUSH (c), Meg McLAUGHLIN, Grace GILL, Michelle HEYMAN, Sally ROJAHN, Nicole SYKES, Ashleigh SYKES, Lori LINDSEY, Jennifer BISSET, Trudi BOURKE (gk), Stephanie OCHS (one to be omitted)

Ins: Lydia Williams (returns from personal commitments), Sally Rojahn (promoted)

Outs: Grace Field (omitted)

Unavailable: Sally Shipard (knee – one week)

Sydney FC squad: Casey Dumont (gk), Alesha Clifford, Danielle Brogan (c), Amy Harrison, Liz Ralston, Caitlin Foord, Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger, Renee Rollason, Jodie Taylor, Emma Kete, Leena Khamis, Trudy Camilleri, Sam Kerr, Chloe Logarzo, Sham Khamis (gk) (one to be omitted)

Ins: Alesha Clifford (promoted)

Outs: None

Unavailable: Ellyse Perry (cricket commitments), Anna Green (Achilles – three weeks), Natalie Tobin (illness – three weeks)

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