Melbourne Victory Women return to the Home of the Matildas to play the second leg of their Ninja A-League semi-final tie against Adelaide United on Saturday, May 10.
Just a single step away from reaching the illustrious A-League Women’s Grand Final, an emphatic first leg result in Adelaide has Victory leading 3-1 on aggregate for our home fixture.
Last suffering defeat on home soil to the Reds back in 2015, Victory will be determined to continue their top form and book their spot in the Grand Final.
Melbourne Victory
Facing off against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium, a positive result was certainly the aim in a tough away leg.
Late in the first half, Emily Gielnik fired in her 13th goal of the season to take the lead, but Erin Healy’s goal just two minutes later ensured the home side remained level at the break.
Playing out a tense second half, two excellent corner deliveries from Alana Murphy and Alex Chidiac were headed home by Claudia Bunge in the 77th and 88th minutes, respectively.
Victory’s strength all season has been their set-piece deliveries and the ability to convert, with the work done during the regular season well and truly coming to fruition in the biggest of moments.
Achieving a new career-high goal tally with four, defender Claudia Bunge took home the plaudits for the result, but the combined team performance was ultimately vital in coming away with a brilliant 3-1 win in South Australia.
Now returning to Melbourne for the second leg with a two-goal advantage, maintaining determination and hunger to see out the result won’t only be the aim for Jeff Hopkins’ side.
Building upon the excellent work in Adelaide while keeping an eye forward to the possibility of making the Grand Final, last making the big stage three years ago, where Victory lifted the Championship over Sydney FC.
Still maintaining club-record winning and undefeated streaks, the Wuck will be determined to continue to reach new heights in a history-making season.
Semi-Final Leg 2 Squad
2. Ellie WISON, 3. Claudia BUNGE, 4. Sara D’APPOLONIA, 5. Sofia SAKALIS, 7. Ella O’GRADY, 8. Alana MURPHY, 9. Holly FURPHY, 10. Alex CHIDIAC, 11. Nicki FLANNERY, 15. Emily GIELNIK, 16 Paige ZOIS, 18. Kayla MORRISON, 19.Lia PRIVITELLI, 23. Rachel LOWE, 24. Laura PICKETT, 27. Rosie CURTIS, 41. Jessica YOUNG, 50. Courtney NEWBON, 62. Geo CANDY, 66. Alana JANCEVSKI
Ins: Nil
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil
Adelaide United
Two goals down in the tie, Adelaide United ultimately have it all to play for in Bundoora.
While the kick response to equalise on the brink of half-time certainly provided positives to take for coach Adrian Stenta, Claudia Bunge’s late brace provides a big challenge to overcome for the Reds.
The third top-scoring team in the league this season, United have attacking threats of Fiona Worts, Erin Healy and Chelsie Dawber to call upon in hopes of overturning the deficit, a facet Victory will certainly consider on Saturday.
