Quick Look |
Thursday night Football arrives at McKellar Park tonight as Canberra United host traditional foes Brisbane Roar in an important clash on Fox Sports.
United slipped to seventh with a loss to Melbourne City on Saturday night while the Roar jumped to third, and a strong performance is needed at home here to get United’s finals hopes back on track.
Key Bits |
United’s troubles on the road have been well documented but if not for a tragic last 15 minutes against Perth, the team in Green would have three wins from three at fortress McKellar this season.
The Roar meanwhile have won two of their games on the road; both 1-0 wins against the Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers but also suffered a thumping loss at the hands of Sydney FC in another outing.
Ashleigh Sykes re-joined United this week as an injury replacement and will provide a tried and tested threat up front but the loss of Natasha Prior for the season is a blow for United at the back.
Sykes is no stranger to McKellar Park and just two seasons ago went on an unbelievable scoring run in the back half of the season and that would certainly be nice again now to provide a spark going into the new year.
The Roar are having no goalscoring problems of their own at the moment, netting seven times in their last two matches including four in a thrilling victory over ladder leaders at the time Melbourne Victory.
Tonight’s visitors picked up a 1-0 win here last season in a hard fought contest but with the football on display in the Westfield W-League currently, this one is shaping to be a bit more open and likely feature a few more goals.
From the Skipper |
On Ashleigh Sykes…
“She’s a great addition to the team. She has obviously been around us as a coach and played a role in training, and now there’s potential for her to contribute as a player. The girls who have been here before know what she can bring. I’ve played against Ash a couple of times, so I’m happy that she’s on my side this team. I’m glad she’s back out there playing and doing this for the time.
It has really boosted the group. She’s a quality player, but on an individual level she is someone who can change games by scoring or creating and she will improve our threat in the final third.
On Brisbane Roar…
They’re one of the strongest teams, particularly going forward. I know a number of their players and I’ve seen and been on the wrong end of what they can do. But we’ll be organised, we’ve worked hard over the last few days. We’re a different team at home to on the road, and it’s very tough for teams to come here and take points of us.
The heat will be difficult for both teams, and will play it’s part, but it’s important we keep the ball because once you start chasing it begins to play a bigger role.”
Squads |
Canberra United squad: 1.Melissa MAIZELS (gk), 2.Laura HUGHES, 4.Rachel CORSIE (c), 5.Nikola ORGILL, 6.Refiloe JANE, 8.Olivia PRICE, 9.Rhoda MULAUDZI, 11.Denise O’SULLIVAN, 12.Lauren KEIR, 14.Ashleigh SYKES, 15.Rosie GALEA, 16.Karly ROESTBAKKEN, 17.Maddy WHITTALL, 18.Taren KING, 19.Nickoletta FLANNERY, 20.Shamiran KHAMIS (gk), 21.Ellie CARPENTER
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 14.Ashleigh Sykes (New Signing), 15.Rosie GALEA (Promoted), 17.Maddy WHITTALL (Promoted)
Outs: 10.Paige Nielsen (Departed Club)
Unavailable: 3.Natasha PRIOR (Head – Season), 7.Aoife COLVILL (Foot – 1-2 Weeks)
Brisbane Roar FC squad: Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2.Carson PICKETT, 4.Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 5.Jenna MCCORMICK, 6.Celeste BOUREILLE, 7.Indiah-Paige RILEY, 8.Kaitlyn TORPEY, 9.Chioma UBOGAGU, 10.Katrina GORRY, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 12.Allira TOBY, 14.Summer O’BRIEN, 15.Abbey LLOYD, 17.Yuki NAGASATO, 19.Hollie PALMER, 20.Annie GROVE (gk), 22.Anna MARGRAF
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 8.Kaitlyn TORPEY (promoted), 9.Chimoa UBOGAGU (promoted), 10.Katrina Gorry (returns from suspension)
Outs: 18.Leah DAVIDSON (not selected)
Unavailable: 16.Hayley RASO (back – 2 to 3 weeks)
Match Details |
Westfield W-League Round 9
Canberra United v Brisbane Roar
McKellar Park, Canberra
Thursday, 27th December – 7:30pm Kick-Off
LIVE on Fox Sports
#CBRvBRI on Twitter
