Melbourne Victory returns to Epping Stadium for a Westfield W-League clash against Brisbane Roar on Saturday.
Summary
Victory has won its past four games at Epping heading into the Round 6 encounter.
It is coming off a late 1-0 Derby loss to City after almost holding out for a hard-fought draw at ABD Stadium.
Victory goalkeeper Casey Dumont continued her strong form this season by making her second penalty save of the campaign.
❌✋@CaseyDumont kept us level #MelbDerby 0-0 #WLeague @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/birspSKrgF
— Victory W-League (@victorywleague) December 12, 2019
Dumont also starred against the Roar when the teams met just a month ago in Brisbane, helping Victory record a 3-2 win.
Victory carries a strong home record into the clash, having lost just one of the past eight matches it has hosted in the Westfield W-League.
However, it is seeking improvement after a tough start to the season, having drawn with the Western Sydney Wanderers before its Derby loss.
Brisbane is coming off wins over Canberra United and Adelaide United.
The Round 6 clash was rescheduled from Friday to Saturday due to forecast extreme heat in Melbourne.
Head coach Jeff Hopkins’ pre-match thoughts
on having more preparation time…
“It’s been a while since we’ve been able to prepare properly for games and things have gone well this week. We’ve worked a fair bit on how we’re going to play and I think for everyone concerned, we feel a lot more confident when we’re properly prepared and we definitely will be going in very well prepared this week. It’s been a good week’s training.”
on previous encounter against Brisbane…
“We took quite a lot actually out of it. We definitely saw a few areas where we could hurt them, we also were very well aware of their attacking threats as well. They’re a team that will pressure you, especially in your back area of the field, they’ll press and push forward. They’ve got pace up front and they’ve got really good quality in that front five, six players so we’re well aware of where their strengths are and well aware where we’re strong and maybe where our strengths maybe match up to some of their weaknesses so it’s been good to have a bit of time to look at them and also to prepare ourselves as well.”
on returning to Epping…
“I think the girls enjoy playing there. We had a little bit of trouble with the pitch there last season, but that was the one and only time. In general, I enjoy playing there, I think the players enjoy playing there, we do well there, we get results there and there’s a good feeling and a good vibe from the players for playing there so we’re really happy to be playing there and we’re looking forward to it.”
Last time
Westfield W-League 2019/20 Round 2
Brisbane Roar 2-3 Melbourne Victory
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Dolphin Stadium, Brisbane
The teams played out a thriller earlier in the season.
A Kaitlyn Torpey own goal and Natasha Dowie penalty saw Victory into an early 2-0 lead before Tameka Butt struck for Brisbane.
Butt had a chance to equalise but Dumont saved her penalty, Dowie’s tremendous second-half goal helping Victory claim three points despite Indiah-Paige Riley’s late strike.
As it stands
Match details
Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar
Epping Stadium, Melbourne
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Kick-off: 10.30am AEDT
Get tickets here
