Canberra United face the 2014/15 Westfield W-League minor Premiers at Viking Park, Erindale in Round 12.
Canberra United face the 2014/15 Westfield W-League minor Premiers at Viking Park, Erindale in Round 12 of the competition knowing that a positive result will ensure their semi-final place. The hosts enter the match in third place with the knowledge that they could yet still fall out of the finals picture should results elsewhere contrive against them.
The simplest way to ensure that doesn’t happen is to get the maximum return against the Glory. That, of course, is easier said than done as Perth have put together a season of quality football which has seen them parsimonious at one end and lethal at the other. In Kathryn Gill and Samantha Kerr they possess a strike force that has netted twenty-two times in eleven matches this season and has been the bane of the rest of the league.
It was this duo that helped the Glory to a 3-0 win over Canberra in the reverse fixture earlier in the season but the result was, arguably, harsh on the green team who with a modicum of luck may well have been celebrating all three points themselves. United’s form has been up and down this term and the defeat at Brisbane Roar last weekend has left them in a precarious position.
Mathematically the home team could still finish second but would require a mammoth eight goal victory to achieve that feat. On the down-side a loss, coupled with a draw between Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC, could see the team slip out of the top four picture altogether. On such fine margins are seasons made. With the result of the Jets-Sky Blues fixture known come kick-off, Canberra will know exactly what is required of them.
With Perth possessing a rapid front-three, and a game based on the counter-attack and precise long-range passing of Collette McCallum, United’s rear-guard will need to be on their toes from the first whistle. Defensively Perth has the best record in the league, conceding only eight times this season which suggests chances may be at a premium for the home forwards who will therefore need to be clinical with the opportunities that do present themselves.
Jamie Harnwell and his team have nothing to play for with top spot secured and a home semi-final next weekend. However, the chance to seal Canberra’s doom and knock Elisabeth Migchelsen and her team out of the race for the trophy may be all the motivation that they need. United has the players, the ability and the confidence to make sure this doesn’t happen. We are all set for what should be a brilliant climax to the regular season.
SQUAD
1. Chantel JONES, 2. Catherine BROWN, 3. Julia DE ANGELIS, 4. Kendall FLETCHER, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 9. Grace GILL, 10. Grace MAHER, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole BEGG, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Tegan RIDING, 16. Lori LINDSEY, 17. Holly HOUSTON, 18. Rebecca KITING, 20. Melissa MAIZELS, 22. Stephanie OCHS
UNAVAILABLE: 8. Meg McLAUGHLIN (injured – season)
