Match Details:
Canberra United v Melbourne Victory
Date: Saturday 20 January
Time: 5pm (AEDT)
Location: McKellar Park, Canberra
Broadcast: 10play & Paramount+
A 1-1 draw against an in-form Perth Glory team last weekend broke a streak of three losses in a row for Jeff Hopkins’ side.
Our girls in blue will look to build on the performance as they face a struggling Canberra United.
Looking ahead to Saturday afternoon, head coach Jeff Hopkins said his messaging has been pretty simple, keep improving.
“I don’t think there’s really been any talk about the league position or points really,” he said.
“It’s been about our performance last week and the things that we need to do better this week, to give us an opportunity to put ourselves in a place to win games.
“I think we’ve been in this position every year over the last few years.
“Yeah we’ve had a few poor results. But we work on getting ourselves back on track and we work week to week to pull ourselves out of it. I think in terms of us, messaging has been very, very positive.”
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams was a late withdrawal, with Hopkins explaining she wasn’t going to be risked ahead of a short turnaround.
“Lydia is not coming with us. Her injury isn’t that serious but we’ve decided it’s serious enough not to push it too hard this week,” Jeff said.
“I think there’s is a very good chance that if she doesn’t play this weekend, she’ll be ready to play against Sydney.
SQUAD
2.Jamilla RANKIN, 3.Tori HANSEN, 4.Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5.Jessika NASH, 7.Ella O’GRADY, 8.Alana MURPHY, 9.Emily GIELNIK, 10.Alex CHIDIAC, 11.McKenzie WEINERT, 13.Kurea OKINO, 15.Emma CHECKER, 16.Paige ZOIS, 18.Kayla MORRISON, 19.Lia PRIVITELLI, 21.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 23.Rachel LOWE, 27.Rosie CURTIS, 50.Courtney NEWBON
Ins: 5.Jessika NASH, 7.Ella O’GRADY, 13. Kurea OKINO
Outs: 1.Lydia WILLIAMS
Unavailable: 6.Beattie GOAD, 20.Miranda TEMPLEMAN
