Sydney’s Lambert Park sets the scene for Melbourne City’s debut W-League fixture as last season’s Semi-Finalists Sydney FC host the newly inaugurated club in an eagerly anticipated contest.
City have pulled together a star-studded squad consisting of Matildas, internationals and the nations brightest prospects during the off-season; leaving the majority of the league green with envy.
Selection news:
Laura Alleway, Steph Catley, Larissa Crummer and Lisa De Vanna will all be available for selection in Joe Montemurro’s Round One side, despite the quartet being called up for the Matildas’ tour of China (19-27th of October).
Loan deals for Seattle Reign’s world-class duo Kim Little and Jessica Fishlock were also announced this week, although the pair aren’t expected to link up with the squad until later this month.
In the meantime, Aivi Luik (Perth Glory) and Amy Jackson (Melbourne Victory) will do battle for spots in the midfield, along with youngster Alex Chidiac (Adelaide United) and the versatile Marianna Tabain (Perth), who could be released in an attacking midfield role.
Locally, Beattie Goad (FC Bulleen Lions, Melbourne Victory) and Monique Iannella (Bundoora United, Adelaide United) have both been announced, with Boroondara Eagles fullback Liv Ellis, Ashburton United’s Melina Ayres and Bulleen’s Tessa Sernio all potentially in the mix.
Kiwi Rebekah Stott adds body to their defensive stocks, while Brianna Davey (Melbourne Victory) and Trudy Burke (Western Sydney Wanderers) fight it out for a starting berth in goals.
However with an ankle injury concerning Davey throughout the pre-season, she looks highly likely to miss this week’s clash.
If so, Burke lies waiting in the wings with Kelsey Quinn – who’s trained with the club throughout pre-season – another possible candidate, albeit at the expense of either an international or guest contract.
The other injury concern is that of right-back Iannella who misses with a knee injury; Mexican international Anisa Guajardo is a strong chance to deputise in the role.
Off the pitch, the girls have been treated with the world-class facilities available at the City Football Group’s La Trobe-based training base and will be hoping that the professional set-up gives them a leg up on their oppositions.
This week’s opponents:
Opponents Sydney went undefeated at Lambert Park in 2014, with the Sky Blues fashioning three draws and a win at the 7,000 seater stadium, which contributed to their fourth place finish in the league.
They were however bundled out of the Finals Series at the first hurdle to eventual premiers Perth Glory in a 3-0 defeat.
Dan Barrett retained the core of the 2014 squad formed by now Matildas boss Alen Stajcic, with captain Teresa Polias, Matildas Kyah Simon, Alanna Kennedy, Nicola Bolger, Servet Uzunlar, Leena Khamis & Amy Harrison as well as hotshot American striker Jasmyne Spencer all returning for the new season.
American shot-stopper Michelle Betos – of the Portland Thorns – joins the club to assume the mantle of number one keeper and looks set to face former teammate Catley on Sunday.
She brings a wealth of experience, having worked with highly revered keeper Nadine Angerer during her time in the NWSL.
Talented Young Matildas members Princess Ibini and Sunny Franco (Brisbane Roar) also join the club, the former securing her first ever W-League contract at the tender age of 15.
With the Sydney FC squad announced early into the pre-season – in contrast to their Melbourne counterparts – it remains to be seen whether that consistency will translate into performance on the pitch.
Key players:
Steph Catley
All eyes will be on the former Melbourne Victory skipper as the marauding fullback turns out for a different W-League club for the firs time in her career. With a relatively experienced defence alongside her, she should have room to express herself in a forward capacity and provide a strong outlet on transition to start attacks.
Trudy Burke
There’s plenty of attacking firepower available for the Sky Blues this weekend, with Jasmyne Spencer finishing the 2014 W-League season with eight goals (joint third top scorer in the league). It’ll be a tough ask for the former Wanderers keeper to deny both Spencer and her Sydney FC teammates but if she can, it’ll go a long way towards an opening round three point hall.
Lisa De Vanna
In the absence of international duo Kim Little and Jessica Fishlock, the brunt of the creating will come down to Matildas captain Lisa De Vanna, who has been within the City set-up from day dot. The club’s first ever signing could line up anywhere across the front three against Sydney and will look to slip into pockets of space and create openings for her teammates.
Expected line-up:
Substitutes: Kelsey Quinn, Melina Ayres, Tessa Sernio, Alex Chidiac, Liv Ellis