Melbourne City has suffered a disappointing loss, going down 1-0 to Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park.
Brisbane’s Chioma Ubogagu scored the match-winner in the 74th minute, with a neat solo effort.
City will look to respond when they take on Newcastle Jets at C.B. Smith Reserve next Sunday night.
Team news
Head Coach Rado Vidosic made one change to the starting XI, with American Jasmyne Spencer replacing Adriana Jones in the attacking third, Jones moving to the bench in place of youngster Sofia Sakalis.
https://twitter.com/MelbCityWFC/status/1083594411148111873
What happened?
In warm conditions at AAMI Park, Head Coach Rado Vidosic’s side wrestled the early ascendency as they looked determine to bounce back from last week’s loss.
City’s first chance came in the eighth minute when Elise Kellond-Knight struck a low drive from range, which was palmed away to safety by Roar shot-stopper Mackenzie Arnold.
Two-minutes later Tameka Butt had two successive chances to open the scoring, first dispossessing her defender before her shot on goal was well saved by Arnold. A minute later Rebekah Stott’s cross fell to Butt, whose acrobatic effort sailed just over the crossbar.
In the 17th minute it was again Butt who threatened the Roar defence. The attacker was played through brilliantly by Theresa Nielsen, before rounding the keeper and spraying her effort just wide.
On the 24th minute mark, the home side had a golden opportunity to open the scoring. Captain Steph Catley did brilliantly on the wing before crossing the ball across the six-yard box, finding an unmarked Rhali Dobson, who struck the crossbar.
With half-time approaching, City continued to push with their next chance coming through Catley again. This time the captain beat her opponent before cutting in on her right foot and going alone, but her curling effort drifted inches wide of the far post.
In the early stages of the second-half City had a golden opportunity to make it 1-0 as American import Jasmyne Spencer was brought down in the box. Kellond-Knight stepped up to take the shot, but her effort was placed wide.
Despite City’s dominance, Brisbane struck on the counter in the 74th minute as Chioma Ubogagu turned Yukari Kinga before finishing clinically.
City continued to press after falling one goal behind, as Vidosic made three attacking changes, but it wasn’t to be as the home side suffered their second consecutive loss despite dominating the contest.
What’s next?
Melbourne City return to action next Sunday 20 January, when they host Newcastle Jets at C.B. Smith Reserve, kick-off 7:30pm.
