The opening ABC TV match of the round for 2014 brings together two teams experiencing very different fortunes as high-flying Sydney FC host Perth Glory.
Sydney FC v Perth Glory
Sunday 5 January 2014
WIN Jubilee (Kogarah), 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)
The opening ABC TV match of the round for 2014 brings together two teams experiencing very different fortunes as high-flying Sydney FC host Perth Glory.
Goals seem assured on Sunday if history is any gauge. The teams have produced the two highest scoring games in the six seasons of the Westfield W-League. The Glory slipped to a remarkable 11-0 loss in Sydney two years ago, only to win 7-5 on home turf last year in an equally astonishing turn-around.
The contest kick-starts an intense month for Sydney who will take to the park six times in 24 days, as the champions make up their postponed matches. The Sky Blues have played out two intense 1-1 draws against fellow title aspirants Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar over the past two rounds since their return from the International Women-s Club Championship in Japan. Though both results could have gone either way, the Sky Blues remain the league-s only undefeated side.
Sydney have experience and depth in equal measure, however they will have to make do without the x-factor of Sam Kerr who copped an injury-time red card against the Roar. Also absent will be Ellyse Perry and Anna Green, however captain Danielle Brogan is set to make her long-awaited return from injury.
The Glory heads to Sydney in a different situation to that of their opponents recording four losses, and suffering under a horror injury run. To compound the problem for coach Jamie Harnwell, it is key personnel that have fallen victim to the run of bad luck. Midfield ace Collette McCallum is out for the season, and the Glory will be missing Sasha Andrews for a fortnight with an ankle injury, while Danish star Cecilie Sandvej is suspended after accumulating her fourth yellow card. However Matildas co-captain Kate Gill is hoping to get back on the park against Sydney for the first time since Round 2.
Sydney FC squad: Casey Dumont (gk), Liz Ralston, Alesha Clifford, Danielle Brogan, Amy Harrison, Caitlin Foord, Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger, Renee Rollason, Jodie Taylor, Emma Kete, Leena Khamis, Trudy Camilleri, Natalie Tobin, Melissa Caceres, Chloe Logarzo Sham Khamis (gk), (two to be omitted)
Ins: Danielle Brogan, (returns from injury), Amy Harrison Liz Ralston, Melissa Caceres, Natalie Tobin (all promoted)
Outs: Ellyse Perry (cricket commitments), Anna Green (Achilles – three weeks), Sam Kerr (suspended – one week)
Unavailable:
Perth Glory squad: 1. Chantel JONES (gk), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 15. Jess DILLON, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Amy KNIGHTS, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 21. Christina JULIEN, 22. Emily HENDERSON, Gabrielle DAL BUSCO (gk) (one to be omitted)
Ins: Kate Gill (returns from illness), Gabrielle Dal Busco (injury replacement signing)
Outs: Cecilie Sandvej (suspended – one week), Kathleen Waycott (hip – two weeks)
Unavailable: Aivi Luik (hamstring – indefinite), Kat Jukic (hip – season), Collette McCallum (knee – season), Sasha Andrews (ankle – two weeks)
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