Melbourne City FC has suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Melbourne Victory at Epping Stadium.
Despite dominating proceedings, City were undone by a late individual effort, as Christine Nairn scored from her corner kick with two minutes of regulation time remaining.
City will look to bounce back when they host Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on Friday 11 January, kick-off 5:20pm.
Team news
Head Coach Rado Vidosic made one change to the starting XI that faced Western Sydney Wanderers on New Year’s Day, with Adriana Jones replacing Jasmyne Spencer up front.
Youngster Sofia Sakalis was named on the bench.
https://twitter.com/MelbCityWFC/status/1081399891979628545
What happened?
In cool conditions after earlier showers, City looked to gain the early ascendency against Melbourne Victory at Epping Stadium.
Tameka Butt looked threatening in the attacking third, as Rado Vidosic’s side peppered Casey Dumont’s goal. Efforts from both Yukari Kinga and Butt were both saved by the shot stopper inside the opening 15 minutes.
City continued to press as the half progressed, starving Victory of any chances down the other end. In the 41st minute the visitors had two successive chances, the first coming through Butt, who fired a brilliant cross from the right although her effort was just missed by an unmarked Helen Caceres at the back post. Moments later the duo were again involved, this time Caceres finding Butt, whose acrobatic effort was met by a wonderful save from Dumont.
On the stroke of half-time, City went inches away from again taking the lead. This time, Kellond-Knight stepped up to take a set-piece from 25 yards, although her effort went inches wide of the post, as the score remained 0-0 at the break.
City’s momentum continued in the second-half, with Vidosic’s side dominating the first 20-minutes of play without reward. Butt continued her dominance, creating chances for her teammates. In the 56th minute, Rebekah Stott dispossessed Natasha Dowie before skipping through Victory’s defence and laying the ball off to Butt, although her pass was slightly heavy allowing Dumont to collect.
In the 84th minute City had a golden chance to open the scoring as Butt was played through one-on-one with the keeper, but Dumont read the attackers play, closing her down with conviction.
Four-minutes later City were forced to rue their missed chances as Victory’s Christine Nairn scored from her corner kick as it sailed inside the net at the back post to secure the points for the visitors.
What’s next?
City return home for the first time in 2019, hosting Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park next Friday 11 January, kick-off 5:20pm. Get your tickets here.
