Boosted by the return of several key personnel, Western Sydney Wanderers are hitting form just in the nick of time.
Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets
Sunday 22 December 2013
Centrebet Stadium (Penrith), 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)
Boosted by the return of several key personnel, Western Sydney Wanderers are hitting form just in the nick of time. An impressive 3-0 home win over Perth Glory last weekend was just the tonic in an injury-hit season, and keeps the Wanderers in touch with the leading pack. The Wanderers had a trio of big-name returnees last weekend in Heather Garriock, Alanna Kennedy and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, with the former scoring a stunning goal barely five minutes into her return from a two-year absence.
With the exception of a 6-0 capitulation against Melbourne Victory a fortnight ago, the youthful Jets have battled doggedly all season though yet to secure a point thus far. A number of late goals have blown out the scorelines on several occasions and the aim must be to maintain their defensive concentration for the entire 90 minutes. No doubt Newcastle will also be keen to keep a lid on former team-mate Emily Van Egmond who made the move to Sydney in the off-season.
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Shawna Gordon, 4. Camille Levin, 5. Emily Van Egmond, 7. Heather Garriock, 9. Jenna Kingsley, 11. Michelle Carney, 12. Jessica Seaman, 13. Catherine Cannuli, 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Linda O-Neill, 18. Helen Petinos, 20. Georgia Rowntree, 22. Dimi Poulos (gk) (one to omitted)
Ins: Dimi Poulos (returns from unavailability)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Jordan Baker (hip – two weeks), Tori Huster (knee – three weeks), Servet Uzunlar (awaiting international clearance), Kyah Simon (knee – season), Racheal Souter (neck – season)
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Eliza Campbell (GK), 2. Hannah Brewer, 3. Stacey Day, 4. Siahn Bozanic, 6. Ashley Spina, 7. Gema Simon, 9. Tara Andrews, 10. Rhali Dobson, 12. Hannah Beard, 13. Jasmin Courtenay, 15. Libby Copus-Brown, 16. Cassidy Davis, 17. Lauren Brown, 18. Clare Wheeler, 19. Adriana Jones, 21. Claire Coelho (gk) (one to be omitted)
Ins: Libby Copus-Brown (returns from injury), Clare Wheeler (new signing – train-on squad)
Outs: Maddie Searl (knee – season)
Unavailable: Grace Macintyre (knee – six weeks)
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