New Year’s Eve football awaits Melbourne Victory’s Women, who come into this week’s clash with Canberra United refreshed after a receiving a break over Christmas.
A comprehensive 5-2 win over Newcastle last time out in Round 5 saw Captain Kayla Morrison score a hat trick, capping off a top-tier team performance.
If Victory are to win on Saturday, they will see their point tally rise to 12, and be back on par with League leading sides Melbourne City, Sydney FC, Western United and Adelaide United – who all hold between 15 and 12 points.
Head Coach Jeff Hopkins will be looking for his Victory side to build on the win against Newcastle, which he described as some of the best football he has seen since he joined the Club in 2016.
“The first half performance from us against Newcastle was right up there with the best that we’ve played, in terms of our football, in terms of the intensity and the quality, and the way that we finished everything off. It was as good as we’ve seen since I’ve been at the club.”
A week off has meant Hopkins and his coaching staff have had extra time to get some players refreshed and better prepared for match minutes.
“We’ve had a little bit of a break over Christmas, but we’ve also got some really good work into all the players. It’s allowed one or two of the girls to get a little bit refreshed.
“We get Amy Jackson back available. She’s now fit and ready to come in and play, or at least be on the bench. That’s a big in for us.”
History against Canberra United
Recent fixtures against the side from Australia’s Capital have all ended as draws. Victory were the last side to claim maximum points in this one with a 3-0 win in Season 2019/20.
2021/22, March 4: Victory 0-0 Canberra
2021/22, February 22: Canberra 2-2 Victory
2020/21, February 28: Victory 1-1 Canberra
2019/20, January 26: Victory 3-0 Canberra
2018/19, February 5: Canberra 0-0 Victory
Melbourne Victory Squad
1.Casey DUMONT, 2. Tiffany ELIADIS, 3.Claudia BUNGE, 5.Jessika NASH, 6.Beattie GOAD, 7.Gema SIMON, 8.Alana MURPHY, 10.Alex CHIDIAC, 11.Natalie TATHEM, 14.Melina AYRES, 15.Amy JACKSON, 16.Paige ZOIS, 17.Maja MARKOVSKI 18.Kayla MORRISON, 19.Lia PRIVITELLI, 20.Miranda TEMPLEMAN, 21.Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 22.Ava BRIEDIS, 23.Emily KOS, 25.Rikke MADSEN, 27.Rosie CURTIS
In: 15.Amy JACKSON (promoted), 22.Ava BRIEDIS (promoted), 23.Emily KOS (promoted), 27.Rosie CURTIS (promoted)
Out: nil
Unavailable: 9.Catherine ZIMMERMAN (injured)
Match Details
Liberty A-League – Round 8
Melbourne Victory v Canberra United
Saturday 31 December
Kick-off: 3.00pm (AEDT)
CB Smith Reserve, Melbourne
