Melbourne Victory Women visit Canberra United in Round 15 of the Ninja A-League on Saturday, January 31, kick-off 5:30pm AEDT.
Heading back on the road in hopes of turning form around and solidifying their position in the ladder’s top six, it is sixth visiting third in a mouthwatering clash at McKellar Park.
Despite controlling the terms at the Home of the Matildas last Sunday in the Big Blue, Victory’s dominance could not be translated into three points as the game ended goalless.
Canberra also go into the match aiming to do better than they did in Round 14, after they were defeated 1-3 by Brisbane Roar.
The Girls in Blue
Seeking to return to winning ways after being held to a scoreless draw by Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory are in the midst of a tricky patch of form following a positive start to the season.
While Head Coach, Jeff Hopkins, will certainly be pleased with his side recording their fourth clean sheet of the season in the Big Blue, keeping the Sky Blues to just 0.49 expected goals on the day, the players will likely feel as though they missed a chance to record a first win in their last five outings.
The Girls in Blue concluded the game with 2.53 expected goals coming from 23 total shots, enjoying territory in the final third without applying the finishing touches.
Placed sixth on the league table, Victory will have the chance to enact revenge on opponents Canberra United after suffering defeat earlier this term at The Home of The Matildas.
Minds will turn back to Victory’s previous trip to the Capital, when they ran out 0-2 winners thanks to first-half goals from Nicki Flannery and Sara D’Appolonia.
Grace Maher’s return from injury will provide a boost to the squad, appearing off the bench late against Sydney on the weekend, while Rhianna Pollicina, Nicki Flannery and Zoe McMeeken all continue on their journey to full fitness.
Round 15 Squad: 1. Courtney NEWBON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Chelsea BLISSETT, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 6. Taylor RAY, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Sienna SAVESKA, 9. Holly FURPHY, 16. Kennedy WHITE, 17. Poppy O’KEEFFE, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 28. Sienna TECHERA, 30. Payton WOODWARD, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 81. Grace MAHER
Ins: 81. Grace MAHER
Outs: 14. Fiorina Iaria, 20. Leyla HUSSEIN
Unavailable: 10. Rhianna POLLICINA (injured), 11. Nicki FLANNERY (injured), 19. Zoe MCMEEKEN (injured)
Canberra United
Propelling themselves up the ladder after securing five wins in the space of six matches, the tide has turned for Canberra United in recent weeks.
Suffering a second consecutive defeat and recording just one win in their last five fixtures, United will be fighting hard to return to the win column in Round 15.
However, the tight and condensed nature of the competition has meant that Antoni Jagarinec’s side have only fallen to third on the table, remaining in touching distance of the top spots.
Veteran striker and all-time A-League Women’s top-scorer, Michelle Heyman, continues to lead the line for Canberra, registering four goals and two assists so far this season.
Run it back
Hosting Canberra United at The Home of The Matildas in December 2025, Melbourne Victory were dealt a surprise 1-3 defeat.
The Round 6 fixture with United could not have started better after Victory opened the scoring in the fourth minute.
But Canberra would find a crucial equaliser via a deflection off Nanako Sasaki in the 22nd minute, and then fired their way into the lead credit to a stunning strike from Sasha Grove early in the second half.
A third, decisive and final goal would arrive for the visitors off a Navy Blue shirt, sealing a win on the road against Jeff Hopkins’ side.
Last time out
Facing a struggling Sydney FC on home soil, Melbourne Victory did everything in the game apart from finding a way past the Sky Blues.
Victory threatened constantly and created a range of chances, but an inspired seven-save performance by American goalkeeper Heather Hinz forced the hosts to settle for a nil-all draw.
Canberra United suffered a 1-3 reverse to Brisbane Roar at Spencer Park on Friday night.
A long-range stunner from Canberra’s Sofia Christopherson gave the visitors hope by opening the scoring, but an equaliser on the brink of half-time from Daisy Brown brought Brisbane back into the game.
Matildas winger Sharn Freier sent the Roar ahead in the 66th minute before forward Bente Jansen scored her seventh goal of the season late on.
