Melbourne City FC will be vying for a place in their third consecutive Westfield W-League Grand Final when they face 2017/18 season Premiers Brisbane Roar on Sunday.
How to watch
The match gets underway at 5:00pm (AEDT) on Sunday, 11th February at Perry Park, and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 501 and SBS Viceland.
You can also keep up with all the action as it happens by following our official Twitter account @MelbCityWFC.
Set the scene for me…
It’s that time of the year again! City set up a mouth-watering Semi Final against Brisbane Roar after booking their place in the Finals Series with a 3-0 win over Newcastle Jets in their last regular season match of the season.
With destiny in their own hands, City came out of the block firing against the Jets at McDonald Jones Stadium last Saturday.
In wet conditions Patrick Kisnorbo’s side were flawless in the first-half, producing one of their most dominant halves of football this season.
England international Jodie Taylor opened the scoring for the away side when she found the back of the net in 29th minute – registering her first goal for the Club.
Jess Fishlock produced a superb chip, before the English striker produced an individual piece of brilliance to beat Britt Eckerstrom in goal and tap truly from close range.
City’s next two goals came before the break when set-piece specialist Lauren Barnes struck.
Aivi Luik made it 2-0 when she made an intelligent run to lose her marker and meet Barnes’ cross with a perfectly placed header into the corner of the net.
In similar fashion to their second, City made it 3-0 when Yukari Kinga met Barnes’ set-piece. The centre-back played a perfectly weighted ball allowing the Japanese import to nod home from close range.
The margin could have been more, as City squandered several opportunities to extend their lead in the second period.
City’s dominance was not only reflected in the attacking third, but also in their defensive performance.
Fellow finals hopefuls Newcastle Jets were denied any meaningful chances on goal, as an organised City defence nullified the influence of their midfield and forwards.
Despite City’s dominant display last Saturday, challenges don’t get much tougher than this weekend’s Semi Final against the Roar in Brisbane.
Brisbane Roar has been the most consistent team in the league this season, which saw them crowned as the 2017/18 Premiers with a 4-1 win over Canberra United at Suncorp Stadium last Sunday.
First-half strikes to Hayley Raso and Emily Gielnik saw the hosts take a 2-0 lead into the break, before second-half substitute Abbey Lloyd scored a brace off the bench.
The last time the two teams met was only three weeks ago, when they played out a 0-0 draw at AAMI Park in Round 12.
City was the more dominant of the two teams but struggled to hit the scoreboard, Rhali Dobson coming closest when she struck the post in the 70th minute.
After securing the Premiers Plate, Mel Andreatta’s side will be full of confidence as they look to stop a City outfit searching for their third consecutive Championship.
But when it comes to finals football anything can happen, and if recent history is anything to go by, City thrives on the pressure that comes with the big occasion.
Captain’s word
.@stephcatley says the similarities between this year's and last year's Semi Final preparations are eerily similar, giving her side confidence heading into the contest.
Full interview ? https://t.co/oPCFsa6VvD pic.twitter.com/ev639nGRL3
— Melbourne City Women (@MelbCityWFC) February 8, 2018
Match Details
Westfield W-League Semi Final
Sunday 11 February 2018
Brisbane Roar vs Melbourne City FC
Venue: Perry Park, Brisbane
Kick-off: 5:00pm (AEDT)
Melbourne City FC squad: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS (GK), 2.Yukari KINGA, 3.Lauren BARNES, 4.Ashley HATCH, 5. Lia MULDEARY, 6.Aivi LUIK, 7.Steph CATLEY (C), 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 10.Jess FISHLOCK, 11.Rhali DOBSON, 12. Jodie TAYLOR , 13.Rebekah STOTT, 14.Alanna KENNEDY, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16. Sofia SAKALIS, 17.Kyah SIMON 19.Tyla-Jay VLAJNIC, 20.Emily SHIELDS (GK)
*two to be omitted*
Ins: 5. Lia MULDEARY, 9. Larissa CRUMMER, 16. Sofia SAKALIS (promoted)
Outs: nil
Unavailable: Nil
