With international matches on, only two games are scheduled for this week with Melbourne City to host struggling Western Sydney Wanderers and Canberra United travelling to Gosford to face Central Coast Mariners later on Saturday.
So we will preview the two games for this weekend, then check back next week for the remaining games of the split Round 5.
Melbourne City v Western Sydney Wanderers
Michael Matricciani’s Melbourne City are undefeated so far this season with two wins and two draws.
The reigning premiers faced off against reigning champions Sydney FC last weekend to cap off Unite Round, and they could not be separated.
Last year’s grand finalists both found early goals before playing out an arm-wrestle.
Sydney’s Mackenzie Hawkesby opened the scoring after only five minutes, striking from just outside the box following a one-two with Indiana dos Santos.
Celebrations were to be short-lived, though, as Lourdes Bosch equalised only five minutes later, hooking the ball around Sky Blues defender Tori Tumeth.
Sydney goalkeeper Brianna Edwards got a hand to the American’s shot but could not prevent it from sailing past the line.
City will need to wait until January 5 for their next chance to avenge last year’s grand final loss.
While City sitting pretty in second, coach Matricciani should be concerned about their defensive game, having conceded seven goals in four matches.
Western Sydney Wanderers on the other hand are winless and sitting dead last on the table.
Last week they were beaten 4-0 by league leaders Brisbane Roar, and have not been able to score a goal since their two-goal lead in the 27th minute of their Round 1 match.
That is 333 minutes of regulation time without scoring a goal and they’ve also had fewer shots on target than any other side so far this season.
Central Coast Mariners vs Canberra United
Central Coast Mariners are also undefeated heading into the fifth round, but have not won since initially defeating Sydney FC in the opening round.
They have drawn three matches in a row, including a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory last weekend.
The Mariners succumbed to a late equaliser against Victory, so they still walked away with a point and prevented the Melbournians from avenging last year’s elimination final heartbreak.
They will rue letting a second win of the season slip through the fingers, but nevertheless remain unbeaten.
Academy graduate Annalise Rasmussen and English import Jade Pennock have been shining lights for the club, with the former kicking two goals in her last two matches.
But key central midfielder Isabel Gomez suffering an injury is bad news.
Gomez is under an injury cloud after she hurt her knee colliding with Victory’s Eloise Wilson during the second half and was replaced by Peta Trimis.
Canberra United also had a hard-fought 1-1 draw last weekend against Perth Glory.
They sit fourth with just one loss this season (Round 3 v Adelaide) and luckily walked away with a point in Unite Round.
Starting off the season with two clean sheet wins, they’ll be hoping the defensive form returns.
But up forward they look dangerous, despite having three shots on target per game this season (equal fewest with Wanderers).
Matchday 5 (first week) – Schedule AEDT
Saturday 29/11
Melbourne City v Western Sydney Wanderers 2.15pm
Central Coast Mariners v Canberra United 4pm
Standings
Teams Win Draw Loss Points
1. Brisbane Roar 3.0.1.9
2. Melb City 2.2.0.8
3. Melb Victory 2.1.1.7
4. Canberra United 2.1.1.7
5. Adelaide United 2.0.2.6
6. Central Coast 1.3.0.6
7. Newcastle Jets 1.2.1.5
8. Western United 1.2.1.5
9. Sydney 1.1.2.4
10. Perth Glory 1.1.2.4
11. Wellington 1.0.3.3
12. Western Sydney 0.1.3.1
With AAP
