Canberra's strong statement with US debutant's stunning five-minute brace
A stunning brace from Canberra United’s new American, Simone Charley, secured a 2-0 win and dominant performance against Perth Glory.
The 24-year-old attacker opened the scoring from close-range in the sixth minute before Charley doubled Canberra’s lead less than five minutes later with a curling strike into the top corner.
Perth worked their way back into the match, but Canberra’s attacking outlets of Charley, combining with American striker, Katie Stengel, and creative Brazilian, Camila, proved too much for the visitors.
Watch the highlights and read on below for the key moments of the match.
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Key Moments
Canberra’s new American gives United lift off after six minutes
Charley wasted no time making an impression in the Westfield W-League after scoring her first goal for Canberra within six minutes of kick-off.
The American attacker got on the end of a United cross from close-range to give Canberra a 1-0 lead over the Glory.
Charley doubles Glory’s lead with stunner
Less than five minutes later, Charley had scored again – this time burying a beautiful shot.
After controlling the ball near the right-hand corner flag, she drove just inside Perth’s box and curled the ball into the top left corner of the goal.
Canberra’s Brazilian makes strong start as teams trade shots
Both teams traded shots, with United’s new Brazilian, Camila, also at the centre of the action with attempts on goal.
She came close to scoring a spectacular strike from 25 yards, but her attempt was thwarted by Perth shot-stopper Eliza Campbell right before half time.
After the break, Katie Stengel came close to give United a three-goal buffer after having a shot blocked and then coming inches away from finishing a Charley cross from point-blank range.
Minutes later, the Glory unleashed on goal in their attempt to claw back a goal.
First, Leticia McKenna played Kat Jukic in on goal, but she was flagged for offside. Then, Alexia Moreno picked up the ball in a dangerous position, but her low, left-footed shot from outside the box was saved by Sham Khamis.
McKenna had another attempt from outside the box with just over 10 minutes to play, but the shot floated wide of the goal.
Charley’s chances for hat-trick
The American nearly sealed a hat-trick on debut when she was played in on goal in the 65th minute, but she was unable to bury her low shot past Campbell.
Charley found herself in more space minutes later and despite taking the ball past the defender, her left-footed shot from outside the box was blocked.
With 10 minutes to play, Charley broke free and ran half the field towards Perth’s goal, but again her shot was blocked at the vital moment.
