Leaders Melbourne Victory will see their undefeated run come under serious threat from the enigmatic Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Melbourne Victory
Sunday 19 January 2014
Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney
Local kick-off: 4pm
Leaders Melbourne Victory will see their undefeated run come under serious threat from the enigmatic Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday.
The Victory defeated Steve Roach-s charges just a fortnight ago with a pair of second-half goals, having also won the only previous match between the pair last term.
The Wanderers- injury-hit campaign has been erratic at best with a couple of impressive mid-season wins sandwiched between a run of defeats.
However, on their day the Wanderers can match any team in the league for creative ability and sheer footballing class.
Their final half-hour showing against reigning champs Sydney FC in the midweek 4-3 defeat was amongst the best displays of the Westfield W-League season by any club.
The quartet of Shawna Gordon, Emily Van Egmond, Heather Garriock and Alanna Kennedy will be seeking to reprise that performance on the wide expanses of Campbelltown Stadium.
Standing in the way of the Wanderers- hopes for a late-season surge are a Victory side playing with rare confidence.
Their seven-match unbeaten streak now includes the scalp of one of the ‘big three- after last Sunday-s defeat of Canberra United.
The unheralded Caitlin Friend continues to score with regularity, with Lisa De Vanna showing her old form last week in leading the United defence a merry dance.
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Shawna Gordon, 5. Emily Van Egmond, 6. Rachael Soutar, 7. Heather Garriock (c), 9. Jenna Kingsley, 10. Servet Uzunlar, 11. Michelle Carney, 12. Jessica Seaman, 13. Catherine Cannuli, 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Linda O-Neill, 18. Helen Petinos, 22. Dimi Poulos (gk) (one to be omitted)
Ins: Jenna Kingsley (returns from injury)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Camille Levin (hamstring – three weeks), Tori Huster (knee – two weeks), Kyah Simon (knee – season)
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna Davey (gk) 3. Jessica Humble 4. Katie Hoyle 5. Laura Spiranovic 6. Cindy Lay 7. Stephanie Catley (c) 9. Caitlin Friend 10. Jess Fishlock 11. Lisa De Vanna 12. Jessica Samuelsson 14. Enza Barilla 15. Emma Checker 16. Beattie Goad 17. Gulcan Koca 18. Emily Hulbert, 20. Cassie Dimovski (gk) (one to omitted)
Ins: Emily Hulbert (promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Ashley Brown (knee – season), Alex Natoli (hamstring 1-2 weeks)
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