Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory
If Brisbane fans had a nickel for every time Chelsea Blissett scored the only goal in a round two match against Sydney, they would have two – which is not a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.
A year on from clinching a 1-0 victory in the same fixture, Blissett scored for Roar just before the main break.
Now Brisbane aim for back-to-back wins this week when they host Perth Glory under the lights on Friday.
As for Perth Glory, they’ll travel to Queensland off the back of their first win of the season.
Glory lost their opening-round match against Melbourne City despite having a two-goal lead, last weekend they had another scare but were able to fend off a late comeback from Newcastle Jets.
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers
This is a must win derby for both teams as both are 0-2 to start the season.
Sydney FC are desperate to keep pace with Melbourne City at the top of the A-League Women after a winless start.
It is the Sky Blues worst start to an A-League Women campaign in seven years, and they’ll next play Western Sydney Wanders.
Ante Juric’s side, who have won the last two championships, sit bottom of the table following back-to-back defeats to Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar.
But they’ll probably enter this round with some confidence, having won eight of their last nine games against the Wanderers and haven’t conceded a single goal in that same time span.
Melbourne City v Central Coast Mariners
Table-topping City host Central Coast Mariners, as the reigning premiers are hoping to extend their perfect start to the season.
After coming from behind in the opening round with an emphatic 5-2 win, Michael Matricciani’s side followed that up with an impressive 3-2 triumph over Melbourne Victory in the Melbourne Derby.
They got over the line with a two-goal haul from new striker Mariana Speckmaier.
The Mariners are also unbeaten, knocking off Sydney before sharing the spoils with Western United in a goalless draw.
The draw was a frustrating result for the Mariners, who stunned reigning champions Sydney the week before in a 3-1 triumph at home.
England’s Jade Pennock peppered at goal throughout the affair but could not find the back of the net and they had another glimpse at scoring when Peta Trimis lured keeper Alyssa Dall’Oste off her line but her attempt was defended.
Canberra United v Adelaide United
Canberra United had to overcome a canine pitch invader to defeat Wellington Phoenix, with a Michelle Heyman goal securing their second straight A-League Women win.
Heyman netted in the 11th minute for the 1-0 triumph before Phoenix captain Annalie Longo’s dog stole the show at Porirua Park to a stirring crowd rendition of the Baha Men classic “Who let the dogs out?”.
Canberra are second on the ladder but their away win has come at a cost, with recruit Aideen Keane set for a stint on the sidelines.
Can Adelaide mount a resurgence this season? Having Fiona Worts back in red has done wonders for Adelaide’s attack. The Englishwoman has three goals in two games, including scoring in last Sunday’s win over Western Sydney.
The Reds head to the nation’s capital off the back of a strong win last round.
Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
Two sides looking for their first win of the season.
Despite being winless, Newcastle can holds their heads high.
In the season opener they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with the Wanderers and last week admirably went down 3-2 away in Perth.
They’ve been boosted by the acquisition of NRLW champion Sheridan Gallagher, who scored her first goal in the 3-2 loss against Perth but will be without goalkeeper Danielle Krzyzaniak who is now suspended.
Despite Wellington’s match being interrupted by captain Annalie Longo’s dog, perhaps in a bid to lift the hosts, as they did come back after the main break firing to take 19 shots to eight, they could not salvage a point.
The week before the ‘Nix were trounced 4-2.
Melbourne Victory v Western United
Melbourne Victory are hoping to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss in the derby against City.
The week before they won 3-2 against Adelaide in a dramatic affair but were on the wrong end of the same score line in the derby.
The positive thing is the sheer amount of chances they are creating, seeing them in good position.
Western United will hit the road for the first time this season in strong position, they have claimed four points from a possible six so far.
It could have been six points, as last weekend’s draw against Central Coast could have easily gone their way with all the chances they had.
Matchday 4 – Schedule AEDT
Friday, 15/11
Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory 7pm
Saturday, 16/11
Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers 2.15pm
Melbourne City v Central Coast Mariners 4pm
Canberra United v Adelaide United 4pm
Sunday, 17/11
Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix 3pm
Melbourne Victory v Western United 4pm
Standings
Teams Win Draw Loss Points
1. Melbourne City 2.0.0.6
2. Canberra United 2.0.0.6
3. Western United 1.1.0.4
4. Central Coast 1.1.0.4
5. Adelaide United 1.0.1.3
6. Melbourne Victory 1.0.1.3
7. Brisbane Roar 1.0.1.3
8. Perth Glory 1.0.1.3
9. Newcastle Jets 0.1.1.1
10. Western Sydney 0.1.1.1
11. Wellington 0.0.2.0
12. Sydney 0.0.2.0
With AAP
