Melbourne City FC has begun its Westfield W-League campaign with a scoreless draw at Dolphin Stadium against Brisbane Roar.
City’s line-up featured a number of new faces and none performed better than goalkeeper Teagan Micah who pulled off a number of great saves to ensure the points would be split.
Starting XI
It was a different starting XI to what City fans have been used to but there was still plenty of quality nonetheless.
Sarah Cain, Margot Robinne and Tori Tumeth all started in their W-League debuts while a host of players played their first official match in a City shirt, including Jenna McCormick who took the captains armband in place of the injured Emma Checker.
👀How we line up in the @WLeague season opener!#BRIvMCY #WLeague pic.twitter.com/6n8WeQvUFh
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) December 29, 2020
The clash
It didn’t take long for the home team to ask questions of the new look City defence but Teagan Micah was able to collect Tameka Yallop’s early shot off of the crossbar.
Tyla-Jay Vlajnic – one of City’s most experienced players, led the way early and looked dangerous dribbling forward along the wing.
Despite limited preparation time, McCormick didn’t take long to settle and showcased her quality passing skills while also putting in some big tackles to deny the Roar attackers.
Brisbane held majority of the early possession but City did have the best chance of the opening half.
Cain played a well placed ball to Dobson who was able to get in on goal only to see her shot denied by Roar keeper Georgina Worth.
On debut, Cain was again amongst the action a few minutes later when she found fellow debutant Robinne who turned and shot but could only find the side netting.
Brisbane came inches away from finding the opener in the 39th minute but some remarkable goalkeeping from Micah kept out Yallop’s shot before Tumeth at full stretch put on another massive block to keep scores level.
🧤 Just some of the HUGE saves from our hero between the sticks 🤯#BRIvMCY #WLeague 🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/jQTidFEVZe
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) December 29, 2020
Moments later the Roar threatened again with Leticia McKenna getting through one-on-one with Micah, but City’s number one was up to the challenge again and pulled off another huge save.
Harriet Withers was subbed on for her W-League debut at half time and was quickly into the action, winning a corner in her first moments on the pitch.
Brisbane had a lot of the play in the second half but still couldn’t find a way past Micah who had an outstanding first match in City colours.
Dobson had City’s best chance of the second 45 minutes with a chipped effort from outside the box that just missed in the 69th minute.
Often under a large amount of pressure, City defended valiantly to ensure the match would remain scoreless and the points would be split.
What’s next
City will be back in action on Sunday when it takes on Canberra United at Viking Park with kick off at 4.05pm.
