Melbourne City FC will be back in action in the Westfield W-League on Thursday night when it takes on Sydney FC in a Grand Final re-match.
Unfortunately this match has had a venue change and will now be played at AAMI Park behind closed doors.
The clash
City will play its second home match in a row on Thursday and will be looking to bounce back from a 2-3 loss to Brisbane on Sunday night.
Playing at AAMI Park for the first time this season, City found itself 0-2 down and with plenty of work to do just half an hour into the contest.
Despite being on the back foot, City were able to get back into the game and equalise with 20 minutes to play. Alex Chidiac quickly had City on the board just after half-time before Sam Johnson converted a penalty to draw level.
It took barely 30 seconds for Alex Chidiac to pull one back for us 🙌#CmonCity #WLeague #MCYvBRI 🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/FkyfTa4f1C
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) January 31, 2021
Unfortunately just a couple of minutes after the penalty, the Roar were able to find the eventual winner with a Mariel Hecher’s strike finding the back of the net with the help of the upright.
As she was in our first meeting against Brisbane this season, Teagan Micah was exceptional in goal and this time around pulled off a massive nine saves.
Congratulations to @TeaganMicah who has one again taken out the @WLeague Save of the Week! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/kHefNgEDFZ
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) February 2, 2021
Norwegian midfielder Noor Eckhoff made her City debut and came straight into the starting XI and immediately provided a physical presence.
City will be coming up against ladder-leading Sydney FC in what will be the Club’s first home match at Frank Holohan Reserve, the home ground of Dandenong City SC.
Sydney are yet to drop a point through its first four games of the season and will provide a big test for Rado Vidosic’s squad who are desperate for a win after a couple of tough losses in a row.
Team News
Julia Sardo, Margot Robinne and Naomi Thomas-Chinnama have all been promoted to City’s extended squad for Thursday night’s match while defender Samantha Johnson will miss through suspension due to accumulation of yellow cards.
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), 18.Leah DAVIDSON, 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 21. Jenna McCORMICK, 22. Naomi THOMAS-CHINNAMA, 23.Melissa BARBIERI (gk).
In: 7. Julia SARDO (promoted), 14.Margot ROBINNE (promoted), 22. Naomi THOMAS-CHINNAMA (promoted).
Out: 17. Samantha JOHNSON (suspension).
Unavailable: 4. Chelsea BLISSETT (ACL), 16. Sofia SAKALIS (ACL), 17. Samantha JOHNSON (suspension), 20. Lia MULDEARY (hamstring).
Match Details
Melbourne City FC v Sydney FC
Thursday 4 February, kick-off 7.05pm
AAMI Park (behind closed doors)
