Melbourne City FC will play at AAMI Park in the Westfield W-League for the first time this season on Sunday evening when it takes on Brisbane Roar.
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The clash
Sunday’s fixture will be the opening leg of a massive double header with the action kicking off at 4.05pm.
City will be hunting a very important three points after suffering a 2-1 defeat away from home last Thursday at the hands of Adelaide United.
Despite going long periods controlling possession and having a few scoring chances, City found itself down 2-0 early in the second half thanks to a double to United captain Dylan Holmes.
City pushed hard to try and get back into the game and were able to draw back a goal in stoppage time when captain Emma Checker was able to latch onto a well placed Hollie Palmer set piece and head it into the back of the net.
Not the result we were after but great to see captain @emmachecker on the scoresheet in her first start of the season.#ADLvMCY #WLeague pic.twitter.com/MPVQW72FvS
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 21, 2021
Unfortunately there wasn’t much time left for an equaliser with the final whistle sounding a couple of minutes later.
Although there has been plenty of good moments and a couple of fixtures that could’ve gone either way, City only have four points to show from its first five fixtures.
With the middle of the season just around the corner, the three points on the line will be extremely valuable as City look to climb its way up the table and secure another finals berth.
City fans will likely get their first look at Norwegian midfielder Noor Eckhoff who has now has a full week of training under her belt after completing her hotel quarantine.
She will add a tough defensive presence to a City midfield that has recently added the class and creativity of the likes of Alex Chidiac and Chinatsu Kira.
Team news
City has made two big inclusions to its squad to face Brisbane. Defender Jenna McCormick returns to the squad after suffering a head knock against Victory a couple of weeks ago, while Eckhoff has also been named in the squad for the first time.
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Teagan MICAH (gk), 3.Teigen ALLEN, 5.Tori TUMETH, 6. Noor ECKHOFF, 7.Julia SARDO, 8.Hollie PALMER, 9. Alex CHIDIAC, 10.Chinatsu KIRA, 11.Rhali DOBSON, 12.Harriet WITHERS, 13.Sarah CAIN, 14.Margot ROBINNE, 15. Emma CHECKER (c), 17.Sam JOHNSON, 18.Leah DAVIDSON, 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 21. Jenna McCORMICK, 23.Melissa BARBIERI (gk).
In: 21. Jenna McCORMICK (returns from injury), 6. Noor ECKHOFF (completed quarantine).
Out:
Unavailable: 3. Chelsea BLISSETT (ACL), 16. Sofia SAKALIS (ACL), 20. Lia MULDEARY (hamstring).
What was said
“It’s an unusual season but it’s like that across the board for all clubs. There’s been a massive influx in different players that are used so we just have to take each game as it comes and ultimately, we are focussed on the three points on offer this weekend.”
-City winger Rhali Dobson
Match details
Westfield W-League – Round 6
Melbourne City FC v Brisbane Roar
Sunday 29 January, 4.05pm kick-off
AAMI Park
