It was a mixed bag of results for CommBank Matildas in the A-League Women this week, with players either returning from the international break, or backing up for their clubs after lifting the Cup of Nations trophy on Wednesday evening.
Canberra United continued their charge up the table on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Western Sydney Wanderers 3-0. Michelle Heyman scored a first half brace for Canberra, while the result was secured with a first-ever goal for Young Matilda Sasha Grove in the second half.
Clare Hunt started and played 60 minutes for the Wanderers at centre-back after her breakthrough Cup of Nations performances.
Perth Glory won their fourth game in a row on Saturday evening AEDT, accounting for Brisbane Roar 2-0. Former Young Matilda Hana Lowry was responsible for both goals. They currently sit in sixth, but would leapfrog Melbourne Victory in fourth if they win their two games in hand.
Larissa Crummer and Katrina Gorry started for the Roar but were unable to be impactful on the scoresheet. It was Crummer's 100th A-League Women game.
On Sunday morning AEDT, Sydney FC squeezed past Wellington Phoenix 1-0 thanks to a second-half Rachel Lowe goal.
Cortnee Vine, Princess Ibini and Jada Whyman made the trip to Wellington and started the game, the former after starting all three Cup of Nations games.
Western United continued their winning ways, smashing the Newcastle Jets 6-0 on Sunday afternoon AEDT. Most notably, Young Matilda Kahli Johnson scored her first A-League Women goals, coming away from the game with a brace.
Finally, Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United played out a 2-2 draw in the Pride Cup at Aami Park. It took a thunderbolt from Catherine Zimmerman to level the scores in the second half, after Meisha Westland and Chelsie Dawber goals threatened to take all three points away from fourth-placed Victory.
Elise Kellond-Knight started in midfield for Victory and had one of her most complete performances for Victory so far, playing slightly higher up the pitch in the absence of Alex Chidiac, who has returned to her parent club Racing Louisville in the NWSL.
Next Week’s Action
Next week sees the race for finals heat up in the A-League Women.
Newcastle Jets will host Melbourne City at Saturday, 3 pm AEDT. Emma Checker's City team will be hoping a win will solidify their place in the top four.
Meanwhile, Canberra United plays host to an Adelaide United who are on their last chance when it comes to securing a finals berth.
Larissa Crummer and Katrina Gorry will travel to Wellington as Brisbane Roar take on the Phoenix at 3.40 pm AEDT.
In perhaps the biggest game of the round, Sydney FC host league leaders Western United at Sunday, 4 pm. If Jada Whyman, Cortnee Vine, Princess Ibini and Sydney FC secure the three points, it will put them within three points of Western United with two games in hand. Meanwhile, if Western United win, they will go nine points clear of Sydney and have one hand on the premiership.
Finally, Perth Glory will host Clare Hunt’s Western Sydney Wanderers at 7 pm Sunday AEDT.
You can catch all of the action live and free on 10Play, or on Paramount+.