We give you a preview of all the Westfield W-League action ahead of Round Eight of the competition.
We give you a preview of all the Westfield W-League action ahead of Round Eight of the competition.
Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory Saturday 8 December 2012 Queensland Sports & Athletics Centre, Brisbane Local kick-off: 10am Referee: Kirralee Gardner
Catch the action live streaming online from 11am AEDT at and nationally on ABC1 from 1.30pm
Perth Glory wrap up a potentially pivotal week with what is traditionally one of the toughest fixtures in the Westfield W-League; away to Brisbane Roar.
The Glory will be overhauled by the Roar at the top if they lose, yet such is the closeness of the competition they could easily have taken a five-point lead into this one. A rather unlucky 2-1 win midweek loss in Canberra denied the Glory the chance to skip clear at the summit. Nevertheless, they will take heart from the numerous goalscoring opportunities created in the nation-s capital. However, a recovery time of just two and half days will test Perth-s resolve, especially if Brisbane turns on its traditional energy sapping summer humidity for this morning kick-off.
A few weeks ago Brisbane were seemingly a touch off their usual impeccable standards, yet the two-time champions can potentially go top with victory here. Coach Belinda Wilson has a full strength squad to choose from and will have enjoyed having a full week working with her numerous national team stars, following an interrupted month due to Matildas commitments in China. However, it is former Matildas midfielder Amy Chapman that is arguably shining the brightest at the moment with four goals in five matches. The match in Brisbane will also mark a homecoming of sorts for former Roar players Lisa De Vanna and Aivi Luik.
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Hoshimi KISHI (gk), 2. Laura ALLEWAY, 3. Amy CHAPMAN, 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 5. Brooke SPENCE, 6. Ashley SPINA, 7. Erika ELZE, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9. Emma PITTMAN, 10. Lana HARCH, 11. Vedrana POPOVIC, 12. Rebecca PRICE, 13. Tameka BUTT, 14. Georgia CHAPMAN, 15. Hannah BEARD, 16. Sachiko TATSUOKA, 17. Emily GIELNIK, 18. Kate STEWART (gk), 19. Katrina GORRY, 20. Joanne BUCKLEY (gk) (*five to be omitted)
Ins: 9. Emma PITTMAN, 12. Rebecca PRICE, 14. Georgia CHAPMAN, 15. Hannah BEARD, 20. Joanne BUCKLEY (gk) (all promoted) Outs: None Unavailable: None
Perth Glory squad: 1. Carly TELFORD (gk), 2. Sarah CARROLL, 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Sasha ANDREWS, 7. Aivi LUIK, 8. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 9. Rosie SUTTON, 10. Jaymee GIBBONS, 11. Lisa DE VANNA, 12. Kate GILL, 13. Elisa D-OVIDIO, 14. Collette McCALLUM (c), 15. Liz MILNE, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Kirri BOLTON, 19. Shawn BILLAM, 20. Zoe PALANDRI (gk) (*five to be omitted)
Ins: 2. Sarah CARROLL, 10. Jaymee GIBBONS, 16. Thia EASTMAN, 18. Kirri BOLTON, 19. Shawn BILLAM (all promoted) Outs: None Unavailable: None
Western Sydney Wanderers v Adelaide United Saturday 8 December 2012 Campbelltown Stadium, Sydney Local kick-off: 2pm Referee: Lara Smith
Western Sydney Wanderers will be eager to prove that last week-s one-sided defeat in Perth was an aberration, rather than the start of a form slump. The league-s newest club can ill-afford anything other than three points against the bottom side in the competition if they wish to stay in the hunt for a finals berth. The Wanderers though will mindful of a dramatic 4-3 loss against Adelaide on the opening day of the season, which will provide extra incentive for the home side.
After their bright opening to the season, which included that win over the Wanderers and a narrow defeat in Perth, the wheels appear to have fallen off somewhat for Adelaide United.
Coach Dave Edmondson has understandably mad several changes to his squad again in the hope of reinvigorating his battle-weary charges. With memories of that opening round win still fresh, this may well mark a perfect opportunity for the Lady Reds to kick-start their season.
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Liz DURACK (gk), 2. Samantha SPACKMAN, 3. Alexandra HUYNH, 4. Alesha CLIFFORD, 5. Olivia KENNEDY, 6. Rachael SOUTAR, 8. Vanessa HART, 9. Sarah WALSH (c), 10. Servet UZUNLAR, 11. Louise FORS, 12. Jessica SEAMAN, 13. Catherine CANNULI, 14. Trudy CAMILLERI, 15. Teigen ALLEN, 16. Linda O'NEILL, 20. Thora HELGADOTTIR (gk), 21. Georgia ROWNTREE (*two to be omitted)
Ins: Alesha Clifford (return from injury), Georgia Rowntree (promoted) Outs: None Unavailable: Jenna KINGSLEY (knee - season)
Adelaide United squad: 1. Kristi HARVEY (gk), 3. Alex NATOLI, 4. Jess WHAREPOURI, 5. Abby ERCEG (c), 6. Cassie TSOUMBRIS, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 8. Sarah McLAUGHLIN, 9. Marijana RAJCIC, 10. Jenna McCORMICK, 11. Grace HENRY, 12. Elise WHORLOW, 13. Ann MAYO, 14. Lorena MAGGIO, 16. Jess WATERHOUSE, 17. Laura JOHNS, 19. Holly PATTERSON, 20. Kelly BARLTROP (gk) (*two to be omitted)
Ins: 6. Cassie TSOUMBRIS, 7. Racheal QUIGLEY, 11. Grace HENRY, 12. Elise WHORLOW (all promoted) Outs: 2. Ruth WALLACE, 18. Georgia MACRI (both omitted) Unavailable: None
Canberra United v Newcastle Jets Saturday 8 December 2012 Deakin Football Stadium, Canberra Local kick-off: 4pm Referee: Rebecca Durcau
Canberra United will go into this home contest buoyed by a strong historical record against Newcastle Jets, and most pertinently, a 5-0 win against the Novocastrians earlier this season. The match will wrap up a tough seven days for the champions that commenced with a gut-wrenching last-second defeat at Sydney FC last Saturday, and continued with a return to the winner-s circle in midweek with their morale-boasting 2-1 win over the leaders.
United appeared to have rediscovered their old form on Wednesday, looking dangerous on the flanks as new American import Nikki Washington impressed.
Newcastle Jets outplayed the mighty Brisbane Roar for large periods of the first half last weekend before ultimately succumbing 3-2. While their fifth loss of the campaign was a blow, the performance suggested that things are turning around for the Jets. Nevertheless, they realistically need to take something from their visit to Canberra if they are to stay in touch with the top four.
Canberra United squad: 1. Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Georgia YEOMAN-DALE, 4. Christine WALTERS, 5. Grace FIELD, 6. Caitlin MUNOZ, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Hayley RASO, 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 11. Michelle HEYMAN, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 13. Nicole SYKES, 15. Sally SHIPARD, 16. Catherine BROWN, 17. Ariane Hingst, 18. Samantha WOOD, 19. Jennifer BISSET, 20. Trudy BURKE (gk), 21. Nikki WASHINGTON (*four to be omitted)
Ins: 5. Grace FIELD, 10. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 12. Sally ROJAHN, 18. Samantha WOOD (all promoted) Outs: None Unavailable: Grace Gill (ankle - 2 weeks), Ashleigh Sykes (hip - 1 week)
Newcastle Jets squad: 1. Eliza CAMPBELL (gk), 2. Hannah BREWER, 3. Hayley CRAWFORD, 4.Gemma PEARCE, 5. Tori HUSTER, 6. Angela SALEM, 7. Gema SIMON, 8. Madeline SEARL, 9. Tara ANDREWS, 10. Emily VAN EGMOND, 12. Tiffany BOSHERS, 15. Alishia FOOTE, 16. Stacey DAY, 18. Michaela HATZIRODOS, 20. Alannah ROSEWOOD (gk)
Ins: None Outs: None Unavailable: Kate HENSMAN (hip flexor - 2 weeks)
Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC Saturday 8 December 2012 Wembley Park, Melbourne Local kick-off: 4pm Referee: Peta McCallum
These two are starting to build a rivalry similar to that of their male counterparts in the Hyundai A-League. The latest chapter will be played out in Melbourne, with the Sky Blues no doubt still smarting from a smash-and-grab 2-1 win by the Victory at Leichhardt Oval a month ago.
The Victory-s famed resilience against Sydney FC-s many attacking options is shaping as a fascinating sub-plot to what should be a high quality contest.
Remarkably, the Victory could theoretically move top with a win in this one, or at least leapfrog their rivals.
Sydney, for their part, could also conceivably jump to the summit. The Sky Blues attacking prowess was on show last weekend as they put four goals past the usually tough Canberra defence. However, coach Alen Stajcic will have some concerns about a backline which has leaked 12 goals in seven matches, leaving the Sky Blues with the third worst defensive record in the league.
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Brianna DAVEY (gk), 2. Danielle JOHNSON, 3. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 4. Rebekah STOTT, 5. Laura SPIRANOVIC, 6. Petra LARSSON, 7. Stephanie CATLEY, 9. Tiffany ELIADIS, 10. Jessica McDONALD, 12. Jackie Vogt, 14. Enza BARILLA, 15. Amy JACKSON, 16. Georgie KOUTROUVELIS, 17. Gulcan KOCA, 18. Cindy LAY, 20. Cassandra DIMOVSKI (gk), 22. Jessica FISHLOCK, 23. Jessica HUMBLE (*three to be omitted)
In: 9. Tiffany ELIADIS, 18. Cindy LAY, 23. Jessica HUMBLE (all promoted) Outs: None Unavailable: Ashley BROWN (knee - season), Louisa BISBY (knee - season)
Sydney FC squad: 1. Sian MCCLAREN, 2. Teresa POLIAS, 3. Elizabeth RALSTON, 4. Sam KERR, 5. Meg McLAUGHLIN, 7. Nicola BOLGER, 9. Caitlin FOORD, 10. Renee ROLLASON, 11. Annalie LONGO, 12. Chloe LOGARZO, 13. Larissa CRUMMER, 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 15. Hannah BROMLEY, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 17. Kyah SIMON, 19 Emma KETE, 20. Sham KHAMIS (gk), 22. Lillie FENLON-BILLSON (*three to be omitted)
Ins: Meg McLAUGHLIN, Annalie LONGO, Hannah BROMLEY (all promoted) Outs: None Unavailable: Natalie TOBIN (calf - 2-4 weeks)