Melbourne Victory would suffer their first home defeat of the Ninja A-League campaign to Canberra United on Friday night.
Despite an early opener from star striker Kennedy White and a number of big chances for the Girls in Blue, Canberra United would do what no other team has done so far at the Home of the Matildas.
Pulling the score back level later in the first half and scoring two more across the second 45, Antoni Jagarinec’s team would come away with their second win of the season.
Team News
Just one change was made to the starting XI that succeeded 3-0 over Perth Glory in Dub Round, with Kiwi defender Claudia Bunge reinstated into the backline after returning from international duty with the Football Ferns.
Her inclusion meant Laura Pickett would drop to the bench, while midfielder Jessica Young would be omitted from the matchday squad.
Match Action
Kicking off on a warm afternoon in Bundoora, it would be Victory to come out the strongest.
Controlling the territory early doors, a bursting run and cross from the right wing by Holly Furphy was flicked on by the in-form Kennedy White, who recorded her sixth goal in as many games.
The hosts would continue to pile on the pressure, creating a number of chances.
In the 19th minute, Sofia Sakalis would perform an excellent run and delivery into the box, but White would unfortunately fire her volley over the crossbar.
Capitalising on Victory’s missed chance, the visitors would a goal of their own in the 22nd minute.
Creating space and delivering a cross from the left flank, Hayley Taylor-Young’s ball into the box was initially cleared but volleyed back in and turned goalwards by Nanako Sasaki.
It was Canberra’s first real chance of the game, bringing the game back level and becoming the first opponent to score at the Home of the Matildas in 2025/26.
The visitors would continue to have promising moments on the counter, while Victory would push for the go-ahead goal.
Speedy winger Furphy would be key to Victory’s attack, looking dangerous with every move down the right flank.
She would come close to scoring her first goal of the season, but a foul would unfortunately be called in the build-up.
Half-time: Melbourne Victory 1 – 1 Canberra United
Victory would remain unchanged while the hosts would make one substitution at the break, with the game posed for a blockbuster second 45.
In the opening stages, Rachel Lowe would effortlessly drive past opposing defenders in the box and release Furphy, but a Canberra defender would intervene at the perfect moment with a sliding block to deny the 23-year-old attacker.
In the 55th minute, Canberra’s Sasha Grove would laser a strike off the woodwork and in to claim her side the lead.
It was a moment that came as a shock for the hosts, falling behind in quite stunning fashion.
Substitutes Ray and Ella O’Grady would be brought on following the hour mark and begin to make their impact on the game, with Victory probing for a response.
While Victory would push and have their moments of promise, United would find a third goal to seal the three points later in the clash.
Accidentally turning a cross into the box past goalkeeper Courtney Newbon, Captain Kayla Morrison would be the unfortunate recipient of the own goal.
Needing at least two goals to claim a point with just under 13 minutes remaining, the odds were certainly not in Victory’s favour with the visitors dropping deep to maintain their lead.
Furphy would spray a chance wide in the dying minutes, and youngster Sienna Techera would enter the frame, but it would be Canberra to hold strong and celebrate the win.
Match Details
Melbourne Victory 1 (WHITE 4′)
Canberra United 3 (SASAKI 22′, GROVE 55′, MORRISON (O.G) 77′)
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 1. Courtney NEWBON (GK), 66. Alana JANCEVSKI, 18. Kayla MORRISON (C), 81. Grace MAHER (6. Taylor RAY 68′), 3. Claudia BUNGE, 19. Zoe McMEEKEN (28. Sienna TECHERA 89′), 5. Sofia SAKALIS (7. Ella O’GRADY 73′), 10. Rhianna POLLICINA, 23. Rachel LOWE, 9. Holly FURPHY, 16. Kennedy WHITE.
Substitutes not used: 30. Payton WOODWARD (GK), 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS.
Booking: MAHER 44′.
Canberra United starting XI: 1. Sally JAMES (GK), 11. Emma ROBERS (5. Jazmin WARDLOW 57′), 28. Tegan BERTOLISSIO, 12. Hayley TAYLOR-YOUNG (13. Sofia CHRISTOPHERSON 64′), 8. Sasha GROVE, 33. Nanako SASAKI, 19. Sienna DALE (7. Emma HAWKINS 46′), 3. Elizabeth ANTON, 32. Bethany GORDON, 23. Michelle HEYMAN (C), 6. Josie AULICINO (25. Darcey MALONE 76′).
Substitutes not used: 18. Coco MAJSTOROVIC (GK), 10. Mary STANIC-FLOODY.
Booking: None.
Coming Soon
Victory Women won’t go too far for their next outing, taking on Adelaide United in an Original Rivalry double header at AAMI Park on Saturday, December 13, kick-off 4:50pm AEDT. Tickets are available now via Ticketek.
