Western Sydney Wanderers claimed their first point of the season as they drew with Canberra United 2-2 in an enthralling Westfield W-League encounter.
Four second half goals, including two in the final 10 minutes, did justice to what was a physical and hard-fought match at Spotless Stadium
Canberra had the better of the opening exchanges with the marauding Ellie Carpenter causing no end of problems for the Wanderers defence.
Christmas at the Khamis household could prove interesting after the Wanderers’ Leena, playing in her 100th match, was cleaned up outside the area by sister Sham.
The sliding challenge from Canberra’s goalkeeper was only deemed worthy of a yellow despite the Wanderers’ forward being through on goal.
Lo’eau LaBonta almost broke the deadlock from the subsequent free-kick, her well-struck attempt thumping off the underside of the crossbar and back into play.
When the opener came it was in slightly controversial circumstances, Jada Whyman rushing out to clear a ball and hurting herself in the process, before Carpenter gathered the clearance and floated her shot into an empty net.
The Wanderers weren’t behind for long however as just over 10 minutes later Leena Khamis had her revenge, burying the deflection after Sham Khamis got a hand to a cross.
Then, 10 minutes from time, it seemed the home side had undone all their hard work when Servet Uzunlar, under pressure from Rhoda Mulaudzi, attempted to pass back to Whyman but scooped the ball over her keeper’s head.
However, Canberra’s lead lasted less than two minutes with Kylie Ledbrook getting her head to a Georgia Yeoman-Dale cross and beating Khamis to ensure Western Sydney didn’t leave empty handed.
