The two most successful Westfield W-League clubs and the two biggest rivals in the competition meet.
Sydney FC v Brisbane Roar
Sunday 19 January 2014
Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney
Local kick-off: 3pm
** Catch all the action Live* at 3.00pm on ABC1. Or catch up from Monday on ABC iView with a full replay at 3.30am on Thursday (*live in AEDT states)
It doesn-t get any bigger than this. The two most successful Westfield W-League clubs and the two biggest rivals in the competition meet in a traditional highlight of the fixture list.
As if that wasn-t enough the world-s best player will take her place between the sticks for the visitors!
Roar boasts historical bragging rights by the slimmest of margins; five wins to four and with a two-goal advantage.
Sydney, though, are in rare goal-scoring form and it will take something special from the Roar-s all-international back-line to stop them.
Matches between the pair are always high-intensity contests worthy of any league in the world so make sure you-re watching on ABC1 or at the game if you live in Sydney.
The pair played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the season and this will surely be similarly tight.
Sydney, however, remain undefeated after seven matches and so far have defended their title in style.
With an incredible 26 goals in seven matches they seem assured of setting a new goal-scoring benchmark for a single campaign.
The scoring continued in their catch-up match against Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday with an enthralling 4-3 victory.
The Sky Blues may have ridden their luck as the Wanderers staged a late comeback, but the home side once again created numerous openings thanks to their pacy forward line and clever midfield combinations.
Once again Ellyse Perry and Anna Green will be absent but Sydney FC have more than enough depth to plug the gaps.
Brisbane Roar are finally starting to find their feet after an erratic campaign by their own lofty standards.
Since the turn of their year they firstly routed Newcastle Jets 6-2 and then saw off Perth Glory 2-1 in a match that was not as close as the scoreline suggested.
Much interest, though, will focus on the appearance of the Roar-s German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer who started the week in Zurich where she was named FIFA Women-s World Player of the Year.
The Roar also hope to welcome back Matildas co-captain Clare Polkinghorne after a one-week absence.
Sydney FC squad: Casey DUMONT (gk), Alesha CLIFFORD, Danielle BROGAN(c), Amy HARRISON, 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: Liz Ralston (promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Ellyse Perry (cricket commitments), Anna Green (Achilles – four weeks), Natalie Tobin (illness – four weeks)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Nadine ANGERER (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Joanne BURGESS, 7. Kim CARROLL, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10. Katrina GORRY, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Natasha WHEELER, 16. Hayley RASO, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 19. Ayesha NORRIE, 20. Kate STEWART (gk) (one to be omitted)
Ins: Nadine Angerer (FIFA Ballon d-Or Awards), Clare Polkinghorne (returns from injury)
Outs: Teagan Micah (replacement player)
Unavailable: Amy Chapman (knee – season)
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