Canberra United and Melbourne Victory claimed early Westfield W-League bragging rights, while competition big guns Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar played out a stalemate in their grand final rematch.
Canberra United and Melbourne Victory claimed early Westfield W-League bragging rights, while competition big guns Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar played out a stalemate in their grand final rematch.
Canberra were 4-1 winners over Adelaide United, while Melbourne Victory were made to work hard for a 2-0 scoreline against the visiting Perth Glory, leaving the winning pair at the top of the ladder on three points.
In Sydney, the Sky Blues and the Roar produced a high tempo contest under a warm Sydney sun despite both sides missing a number of influential personnel. Brisbane were forced to make do without Aivi Luik, Elise Kellond-Knight and Kim Carroll, all of whom will miss the early weeks of the season with playing commitments in Denmark, with the same applying to Sydney striker Leena Khamis. The Sky Blues also face the early weeks of the season without the services of injured Westfield Matildas duo Heather Garriock and Kyah Simon.
On the other side of the ledger, star American midfielder Megan Rapinoe turned out in Sydney colours for the first time in what is the league-s most well-know import to date. Rapinoe, who starred as USA narrowly failed to win the 2011 FIFA Women-s World Cup, was a constant threat throughout the first match of a two-game guest stint for the Sky Blues.
After a scrappy opening, Sydney-s Renee Rollason scored with a spectacular long-range effort, reminiscent of Sam Kerr-s goal of the season for Perth Glory two season ago, also at Leichhardt Oval.
A moment of inspiration from Joanne Burgess saw the Roar draw level early in the second half. The former Westfield Matildas attacker exchanged passes with Emily Gielnik to unlock the Sydney defence, before sliding her shot past debutant goalkeeper Monique Jackson.
Sky Blues coach Alen Stajcic held back teenage sensation Caitlin Foord until midway through the second half, with the Germany 2011 Young Player of the Tournament still recovering from a muscle strain. Foord made an immediate impact on the right, and with Rapinoe operating on the left flank, Sydney pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages against a resolute Roar defence to no avail.
At the same time in Adelaide, the new look home side under former New Zealand U-17 coach David Edmondson took on Canberra seeking to end a lengthy winless run. While the visitors from the nation-s capital ultimately ran out comfortable winners, the Lady Reds held their opponents until the hour mark.
Canberra-s prolific Westfield Matildas striker Michelle Heyman opened the scoring inside the second minute but Adelaide, to their credit, drew level through Rachael Quigley. Canberra, also with a debutant coach in former Czech international, Jitka Klimkova, secured the breakthrough as Caitlin Munoz hit a double, before Heyman grabbed her second goal with an impressive curling strike.
Melbourne Victory also collected three points with a 2-0 win at home over Perth Glory. Caitlin Friend and Amy Jackson scored either side of the break, in a match delayed for 15 minutes during the second half after a thunderstorm forced the players from the field. The confident win leaving Vicki Linton-s Victory side well positioned going into next weekend-s visit to Premiers Sydney FC.
Next weekend will also mark the opening match for Newcastle with the Jets having the bye in the opening round.
Adelaide United 1 (Racheal Quigley 36-)
Canberra United 4 (Michelle Heyman 2-, 82-, Caitlin Munoz 61-, 70-)
22 October 2011
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide
Local Kick-Off: 1.45pm
Adelaide United: 20. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 2. Ruth WALLACE, 3. Anna GREEN 5. Abby ERCEG, 7. Rachael QUIGLEY, 8. Leanne SLATER, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 14. Donna COCKAYNE, 15. Emma CHECKER (12. Greta FRENCH-KENNEDY 62-), 16. Grace HENRY (18. Georgia MACRI 72-), 17. Katherine EBBS (19. Nenita BURGESS 84-)
Substitutes not used: 6. Ebony PHILCOX
Yellow Cards: Nil
Red Cards: Nil
Canberra United: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL (15. Sally SHIPARD 46-), 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA (4. Christine WALTERS 83-), 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 14. Ashleigh SYKES (8. Hayley RASO 74-), 18. Taryn HEMMINGS, 19. Jennifer BISSET
Substitutes not used: 20. Aroon CLANSEY (gk)
Yellow Cards: 7. Ellie BRUSH
Red Cards: Nil
Sydney FC 1 (Renee Rollason 27-)
Brisbane Roar 1 (Joanne Burgess 51-)
22 October 2011
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Local Kick-Off: 3pm
Sydney FC: Monique JACKSON (gk), Sarah WALSH (Brittany WHITTFIELD 60-), Servet UZUNLAR, Teigen ALLEN, Estelle JOHNSON, Megan RAPINOE, Kylie LEDBROOK, Danielle BROGAN, Teresa POLIAS (Caitlin FOORD 69-), Renee ROLLASON, Thea SLATYER
Substitutes not used: Sham Khamis (gk), Alisha BASS
Yellow cards: Whitfield 74-
Red cards: Nil
Brisbane Roar: Casey DUMONT (gk), Clare POLKINGHORNE, Tameka BUTT, Brooke SPENCE, Laura ALLEWAY, Emily GIELNIK (Catherine CANNULI 76-), Joanne BURGESS, Ashley SPINA, Vedrana POPOVIC, Sasha MCDONNELL (Lana HARCH 63-), Ellen BEAUMONT (Karla REUTER 85-)
Substitutes not used: Hoshimi KISHI (gk)
Yellow cards: Beaumont 83-
Red cards: Nil
Melbourne Victory 2 (Katie Holtham 38-, Amy Jackson 48-)
Perth Glory 0
22 October 2011
Vento Club, Bulleen, Melbourne
Local Kick-Off: 5pm
Melbourne Victory: Brianna DAVEY (gk), Rita MANKOWSKA, Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY (Enza BARILLA 85-), Stephanie CATLEY, Kendall FLETCHER, Jodie TAYLOR (c), Caitlin FRIEND (Laura SPIRANOVIC 74-), Amy JACKSON, Louisa BISBY (Ashley BROWN 62-), Danielle JOHNSON, Rebekah Stott
Substitutes not used: Cassandrea Dimovski (gk)
Yellow cards: Jackson 27-, Mankowska 33-
Red cards: Nil
Perth Glory: Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), Marianna TABAIN, Carys HAWKINS, Shannon MAY (Jaymee GIBBONS 85-), Tanya OXTOBY, Lara FILOCAMO (Erika ELZE 65-), Elisa D’OVIDIO, Emily DUNN, Ella MASTRANTONIO, Katarina JUKIC (Sadie LAWRENCE 74-), Katie HOLTHAM
Substitutes not used: Kristy TESCHINSKY (gk)
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil
