The Sydney derby will take on even more importance than usual when Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers meet on Wednesday evening.
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers Wednesday 15 January 2014 WIN Jubilee Stadium (Kogarah), Sydney Local kick-off: 7.30pm
The Sydney derby will take on even more importance than usual when Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers meet on Wednesday evening.
Both sides are desperate for victory with both three points and bragging rights on the line. The two line-ups are extremely familiar with each other with most having coming through the NSW development system. Three points will push Sydney FC into second and in a position in which they can overhaul leaders Melbourne Victory provided they win their other postponed fixture later this month, also originally delayed because of the Sky Blues- involvement in the Japan-based International Women-s Club Championship. Western Sydney Wanderers, on the hand, know defeat against their cross-town rivals will leave them teetering on oblivion.
Champions Sydney FC remain unbeaten this season with four wins and two draws. Their goal-scoring record is even more impressive and their 22 goals in six outings has them firmly on track to top Perth Glory-s all-time season-high tally of 34. New Zealand international defender Anna Green and youngster Natalie Tobin are set to miss the remaining weeks of the regular season with injury and illness respectively. Full-back Ellyse Perry is also likely to miss the next few matches with international cricket commitments, having starred with both bat and ball for Australia in the Ashes Test on the weekend.
Western Sydney Wanderers need to turn around their recent mini-form slump in a hurry starting with this contest in Sydney-s south. Two wins just before Christmas have been book-ended by a string of losses. They followed up defeat at Melbourne Victory, with a draw at Adelaide United last weekend although they earned a share of the spoils thanks only to Michelle Carney-s last minute goal. Matildas utility Servet Uzunlar made a welcome return for the first time this season against Adelaide, while fellow international team-mate and club captain Heather Garriock will need to undergo a pre-match fitness test.
Sydney FC squad: Casey Dumont (gk), Liz Ralston, Alesha Clifford, Danielle Brogan (c), Amy Harrison, Caitlin Foord, Teresa Polias, Nicola Bolger, Renee Rollason, Jodie Taylor, Emma Kete, Leena Khamis, Trudy Camilleri, Sam Kerr, Chloe Logarzo, Sham Khamis (gk) (one to be omitted)
Ins: Trudy Camilleri (promoted)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Ellyse Perry (cricket commitments), Anna Green (Achilles - four weeks), Natalie Tobin (illness - four weeks)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (gk), 2. Caitlin Cooper, 3. Shawna Gordon, 5. Emily Van Egmond, 6. Rachael Soutar, 7. Heather Garriock (c), 9. Jenna Kingsley, 10. Servet Uzunlar, 11. Michelle Carney, 12. Jessica Seaman, 13. Catherine Cannuli, 14. Alanna Kennedy, 15. Teigen Allen, 16. Linda O-Neill, 18. Helen Petinos, 22. Dimi Poulos (gk) (one to be omitted)
Ins: Jenna Kingsley (returns from absence)
Outs: None
Unavailable: Tori Huster (knee - two weeks), Camille Levin (hamstring - three weeks), Kyah Simon (knee - season)
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