Melbourne Victory Women kick off the Pride Cup doubleheader at AAMI Park on Saturday, March 29 against Original Rivals – Adelaide United.
Salvaging a crucial win with the final kick of the game against the Newcastle Jets last Friday night, Victory will aim to keep their winning momentum flowing against Adelaide United.
Coming out on top in eight of their last 10 meetings, continuing their head-to-head dominance over the Reds will be a priority for the Navy Blues.
Melbourne Victory:
Flying 3-0 ahead of the Jets after just 22 minutes of action at the Home of the Matildas, Victory had seemingly dropped two points after conceding an equaliser in the 92nd minute.
With the final play of the game, Alana Jancevski’s whipped corner was met and headed by Claudia Bunge across to captain Kayla Morrison, who guided home her fourth goal of the season to provide Victory with a 96th-minute winner.
Signing a two-year extension at the club, Victory fans will be glad to see Morrison continue to lead and inspire the side from the backline.
It was an impressive show of determination to not settle for the draw and reclaim all three points, confirming that Victory would maintain second place on the ladder heading into Round 21.
Emily Gielnik continued her excellent goal-scoring form with yet another brace – leading the Golden Boot race with 12 goals scored in her 16 Ninja A-League appearances this season.
Jeff Hopkins’ side is in the midst of a four-game winning streak and nine-game undefeated streak, fighting hard to push for the Premiership in their remaining four games.
Defeating their original rivals 3-2 in Round 1 thanks to a Gielnik brace and 92nd-minute Ava Briedis winner from long range, Victory will hope to repeat their fortunes at AAMI Park on Saturday.
Round 21 Squad:
3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 22. Ava BRIEDIS, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 50. Courtney NEWBON, 62. Geo CANDY, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Adelaide United
Finishing rock bottom in 2023/24 and missing out on finals football in their previous two campaigns, Adelaide United has enjoyed a much-improved season this time around.
Guaranteed to finish in the top three thanks to winning 60% of their games so far, the Reds enjoyed a strong undefeated run from Round 8 onwards that Melbourne City put an end to in Round 19.
Sat two points behind Victory with an extra game played, Adelaide will need to defeat Victory in the hopes of claiming a top-two position heading into the finals.
Possessing an attacking unit that has consistently combined well; the Reds have four players in Fiona Worts (9), Chelsie Dawber (8), Erin Healy (7) and Emily Condon (6) who have scored 30 out of their 38 goals this season.
