The Melbourne Victory W-League team will kick off their season this weekend against rivals Sydney FC in Morwell.
The Melbourne Victory W-League team will kick off their season this weekend against rivals Sydney FC in Morwell.
Click here for live commentary of the match
Melbourne Victory will play their first home game in regional Victoria, coinciding with the final Victorian Champions League Gala Weekend between the Gippsland Knights, Northern Allstars, North West Wanderers and Central City.
Season three of the Westfield W-League started last weekend, but Melbourne Victory had the bye first up. Sydney FC defeated Brisbane Roar 4-2 in their opening match.
Melbourne Victory coach, Vicki Linton, is looking forward to the club-s season opener this weekend.
“I-m excited that the seasons starting, it-s going to be a very challenging game,” Linton said.
“Sydney had a good start to the season last week, but we-ve prepared well and we-re looking forward to the challenge.”
Linton believes her young team will be able to match it with their more experienced counterparts.
“While we have some young players in our team, all of them have experienced international football with junior national teams, and we also have some experienced senior players in our squad. The strength of our group is that they-re a cohesive unit, and that shows on the pitch.”
Linton has a full squad to pick from for the first game with the exception of defender Louisa Bisby, who is recovering from a calf injury.
Westfield Matildas Head Coach, Tom Sermanni, will also be keeping a close eye on the Melbourne Victory players this weekend; he will be in Morwell watching Victoria-s talented junior players at the Victorian Champions League, before the W-League match kicks off at 7pm.
This season, Melbourne Victory-s home games will also be broadcasted via live audio stream over the internet. The “W-League LIVE” team will provide exciting play-by-play commentary with comprehensive pre and post-match shows to go with the full 90 minutes of play. Melbourne Victory players and coach Vicki Linton will give exclusive post-match interviews as part of the broadcast. Click here to listen live from 6.45pm on Saturday.
With thanks to local hosts, the Gippsland Knights and Latrobe City Council, entry to the match will be free, though fans are encouraged to make a gold coin donation to Melbourne Victory-s W-League Charity Partner, the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.
Melbourne Victory FC v Sydney FC
Saturday, 13 November, 2010
Latrobe City Stadium, Morwell
Kick-off: 7.00pm
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Melissa BARBIERI (GK), 2. Rita MANKOWSKA, 3. Marlies OOSTDAM, 6. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 7. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Stephanie CATLEY, 10. Jodie TAYLOR, 11. Kendall FLETCHER, 12. Amy JACKSON, 13. Ashley BROWN, 15. Deanna NICESKI, 17. Caitlin FRIEND, 19. Enza BARILLA, 20. Brianna DAVEY (GK).
To view the 2010/2011 Westfield W-League fixture, click here.
To take advantage of Melbourne Victory-s dual membership offer, click here