Holly McNamara scored a penalty as Melbourne City defeated Taichung Blue Whale and advanced to the AFC Women’s Champions League semi-finals.
In the A-League Women, Emily Gielnik scored a brace in Melbourne Victory’s dramatic 4-3 victory over the Newcastle Jets.
Read our full review of all the Matildas at Home action below.
Melbourne Victory 4 – 3 Newcastle Jets
A stoppage-time winner for Kayla Morrison secured a dramatic three points for Melbourne Victory against the Newcastle Jets.
Victory raced to a three-goal lead thanks to an Emily Gielnik brace and a goal to Alana Jancevski. The Jets soon fought back. Lauren Allan and Sophie Hoban scored in the first half before Sheridan Gallagher scored what could have been the decisive equaliser in second-half stoppage time.
Unfortunately for Newcastle, it wasn’t to be. Kayla Morrison managed to put away the winner in the 96th minute and brought Victory back to within two points of Melbourne City at the top of the table.
Alex Chidiac, Alana Murphy and Emily Gielnik all started for Victory while Tash Prior played the full match in defence for Newcastle.
Wellington Phoenix 0 – 2 Central Coast Mariners
The Central Coast Mariners have taken a massive step to securing a place in the top six, defeating the Wellington Phoenix 2-0.
The game was an even one throughout, befitting its billing as one that could decide the final top six placings. However, a penalty late in the first half opened the door for the Mariners. Annalise Rasmussen converted that one before Isabel Gomez doubled their lead in the second half.
The Mariners are now in fifth, four points clear of Canberra United in seventh.
Jessika Nash started and played the full match for the Mariners.
Canberra United 0 – 1 Sydney FC
Sydney FC kept their season alive with a tight 1-0 victory over Canberra United.
Both teams traded opportunities in the first half without being able to find the breakthrough. The goal for Sydney would finally come in the 78th minute, with Mackenzie Hawkesby putting away a ball through by Indiana Dos Santos to help her team to three points.
Michelle Heyman started and played the full match for Canberra.
Perth Glory 1 – 0 Western Sydney Wanderers
A late winner to Izzy Foletta saw Perth Glory keep themselves in the finals race, and eliminate the Western Sydney Wanderers from contention.
For long periods the game seemed destined for a scoreless draw that would help neither side in their quest to remain in the race of the top six. In front of their home fans, however, it would be Perth who would find the breakthrough thanks to the substitute Foletta.
The result leaves the Wanderers languishing at the bottom of the table while Perth are only three points away from Brisbane in sixth.
Adelaide United 3 – 1 Brisbane Roar
Adelaide United were forced to come from behind to overcome the Brisbane Roar 3-1.
The game sprung to life in the second half after a scoreless first. Mariel Hecher scored for Brisbane after a defensive error from the home side. Adelaide had a secret weapon on the bench, though – Fiona Worts. She scored two minutes after being substituted on in the 62nd minute and gave Adelaide the lead late in regulation time. A penalty converted by Chelsie Dawber in the 90th minute sealed the result.
Matilda McNamara started and played the full match for Adelaide. Laini Freier played the full game for Brisbane, while Tameka Yallop and Sharn Freier were unavailable due to injury.
Melbourne City 3 – 0 Taichung Blue Whale
Melbourne City eased past their AFC Women’s Champions League Quarter-Final opponents Taichung Blue Whale, winning the first-ever competition game hosted in Australia 3-0.
Mariana Speckmaier got scoring underway early in the match after a corner. Holly McNamara helped to double their lead after a cross that was intended for a teammate deflected off a defender and into the back of the net for an own goal. She scored a third – sealing the result – from the penalty spot in the second half.
McNamara, Laura Hughes, and Karly Roestbakken started for City. Bryleeh Henry was introduced in the second half while Leah Davidson was an unused substitute.
