Western Sydney Wanderers 0-1 Melbourne Victory
by Emma Burke (17/10/26)
Above: Melbourne Victory celebrate after Alana Jančevski’s (#66) match winning goal. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.
Alana Jančevski’s stunning goal from a direct free kick has secured Melbourne Victory the win against the Western Sydney Wanderers in the opening round of the A-League Women’s.
Melbourne Victory applied serious pressure onto the Wanderers throughout the first half, eventuating in Zoe McMeeken winning a foul at the top of the box which led to the only goal of the game.
Jančevski’s delivery was a curling effort to the left side of the goal, just out of the reach of a diving Wanderers keeper Sarah Langman.
The second half saw the home side come out looking much more threatening, taking the game to Victory.
The Wanderers were particularly lifted by the injection of their youth players in 18-year-old Allyssa Ng Saad and 19-year-old Nikkita Fazzari.
The two of them had an immediate impact on the game, with Fazzari racing down the left flank, beating McMeeken’s sliding challenge before sending in the cross to find Ng Saad near the spot. Unfortunately for the Wanderers, Ng Saad wasn’t able to make great contact with the ball, seeing them denied an equaliser.
Melbourne had a handful of chances to extend its lead, one a header by substitute Chelsea Blissett which was tipped away by Langman, and another by Kayla Morrison whose shot on target was blocked by her own teammate in Sienna Tachera.
Both sides now have potential injury concerns coming out of this fixture. New signing and captain of the Wanderers Rhianna Pollicina – who returned home from Melbourne Victory – walked herself off the pitch in distress early in the game and Victory’s key defensive pillar Claudia Bunge exited the game half-way through the second half after clearing the ball.
Next round the Western Sydney Wanderers will host Brisbane Roar, while Melbourne Victory will travel to face Wellington Phoenix.
Teams: WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (4-3-3): Langman, Pickett, Jaber, Bjørneboe, Bennett, Sakalis, Palywoda, Pollicina, Younis, Bahr, Miller. Substitutions: Iredale 16′, Ng Saad 60′, Fazzari 60′, Fragale 84′
MELBOURNE VICTORY (3-4-3): Newbon, McMeeken, Bunge, Morrison, Sutter, Woods, Jančevski, Beard, Furphy, Saveska, Harding. Substitutes: O’Grady 53′, Blissett 67′, Techera 67′, Leach 84′
Scorers: Jančevski 32′
Referee: Mikayla Ryan.
Attendance: TBC.
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