Melbourne City FC won their last match of the regular W-League season when they defeated Brisbane Roar 3-1 at AAMI Park on Sunday afternoon to end the campaign as the league’s only unbeaten team.
Milica Mijatovic opened the scoring with a beautiful curling effort from the right. However, City conceded a goal for the first time in over 729 minutes of game time when Brisbane equalised at the beginning of the second half.
American import Ally Watt netted a neat brace to secure City’s 11th consecutive win. City head to the Finals Series without having lost a single game this season.
Starting XI
Ally Watt, Milica Mijatovic and Kyah Simon led the attack, while Claire Emslie and Rebekah Stott missed due to international duty.
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What happened?
Looking to continue their winning streak, City returned to AAMI Park to take on the Roar in hot conditions on Sunday afternoon.
At the 22nd minute, American striker Ally Watt found Kyah Simon, but her shot hit the post and Brisbane’s keeper collected effortlessly.
City continued to dominate possession but the scores remained goalless. The hosts eventually found the breakthrough in the 34th minute when Ellie Carpenter found Milica Mijatovic. Carpenter’s cross picked out the Serbian attacker out on the edge of the box, who left goalie Mackenzie Arnold no chance with her bullet strike.
The first half ended with the Premiers leading the scoring 1-0.
The visitor found the equaliser quickly after the game restarted, breaking the team’s streak of clean sheets. Young player Hollie Palmer broke through Lydia Williams’ steel defence, shooting from close range.
After shooting over the bar at the 52nd, Yukari Kinga found Watt in the box three minutes later, who collected the pass and was able to skilfully slot it past Arnold.
Fourteen minutes later, the American player stroke again, to give her team a significant advantage. Assisted by Kinga, she expertly netted her second goal of the game, and her third goal in only two games.
Brisbane player Indiah Riley forced Williams into action a few minutes later but the keeper was ready to defend her net. Later on, Emily Van Egmond and Rhali Dobson both tried their chances at scoring but could only find the woodwork.
What’s next?
Melbourne City will host Western Sydney Wanderers, the fourth placed team of the competition, at ABD Stadium on Sunday 15 March, kick-off 1:30pm. Don’t miss out on the Semi-Final, get your tickets here!
