Canberra United into historic final.
Canberra United defeated Newcastle Jets 1-0 in the W-League Semi-Final in Newcastle this afternoon to take their place in the first historic W-League final next weekend.
If Sydney defeat Queensland tomorrow Canberra will host the final.
For now isn't it great to see the team from the Capital in the final.
And it wasn't easy.
The Jets started well but came up against an inspired Lydia Williams in the Canberra goal.
She saved a rasping drive early, used her height to punch to great advantage on many occasions and even had to face a late Cheryl Salisbuy onslaught. But for a keeper brave enough to play in China in a World Cup with a broken arm, make that two World Cups this was a walk in the park....or a bruise in the ribs.
The Jets had the wind and the advantage in the first half. Joey Peters and Kate Gill were a theat all afternoon.
But Thea Slatyer lead the defence superbly, once again, closing down the early Gill breaks.
Canberra settled and Ashleigh Sykes showed her pace out wide. Caitlin Munoz was always positive on the ball and Amy Chapman was at her industrious best in the first half.
In fact it was Chapman who released Sykes down the right roared on by the Canberra fans who had make the six hour journey.
And Sykes used her pace and skill to get past Jenna Simon and played a delightful ball behind the retreating defence.
The incoming Kara Mowbray slotted the ball to make the score 1-0.
It was that way at half-time with both sides trying desperately to create clear openings.
The Jets came out on fire. Emily Van Egmond went close on a number of occasions. The Swedish import Frostevalle showed excellent pace to get into good shooting positions and Kate Gill had a couple of opportunities to do better.
The Canberra side was under the pump and tiring on a warm windy Newcastle afternoon. But Robbie Hookers team are well organised, particularly in defence.
Ellie Brush would have caused watching Matildas Coach Tom Sermanni further thoughts with another tidy display. Sasha McDonnell worked hard all afternoon and was frustrated to be substituted in the second half.
Bec Kiting was tested throughout, but the defensive unit held firm.
And then Canberra who were always looking to steal possession and release the pacy Sykes did just that with 15 to play. One on one the young Dubbo star watched her shot come back off the keeper. She could have sealed it.
The Jets immediately threw on the most capped Australian football Cheryl Salisbury and immediately she found space in the box and drove hard for goal. A superb save and catch by Williams was the Canberra keepers answer.
And then the Australian Captain charged for a high ball. One of the most fearsome sights in Women's football but she was ably match by Williams who picked up a few bruises for the cause. Salisbury was booked for her challenge.
It wasn't always pretty but Canberra United are in the first ever W-League final.
A great team performance with the defence holding firm throughout. Ashleigh Sykes created the goal, the only goal of the game. That one run from Sykes was perhaps the difference between the two sides.
The Jets had most of the play but couldn't get enough time or space in front of goal. And that's the difference.
Player of the Match: Lydia Williams. Confident throughout. She's a keeper who allows the team to perform in front of her. And should the opposition ever get through the defensive eight then you can be almost certain Williams will stop whatever comes her way.
Who would bet against Canberra United now?
6 comments:
'Twas a grueling game in Brisbane yesterday, all the way to the penalty kicks. My hat is off to every one of the girls on both Sydney and Queensland teams who fought so hard, essentially to a deserved stalemate. By the end there were 3 or 4 girls always on the ground tending to cramps etc. Sydney in particular, with one player down through a red and all substitutes used by half hour before extra time, were clearly finding resources of endurance they didn't ever think they would have. As life and the game would have it, QLD won the lottery of the penalty shoot-out, finally on the 6th round. Really, in this case it could by a whisker of fate have been Sydney's, and everyone there knew that.
So sorry to say your beloved Canberra team will be playing Queensland here next Saturday, so you won't get your homegame. I guess the Roar are the favourites, but it's interesting i'nnit that the Roar have defeated every team in the comp home and away but are yet to defeat Canberra. Lost to you at home and managed just a point away - the Roar's only draw and only defeat.
I can't fucking wait!
Thanks for putting anonymous back on. I have a logon but it doesn't work any more. Doesn't nmatter how hard i try. blog been very dull of late
I am very proud of the girls. they weren't pretty on the weekend but very gutsy. I hope Cian starts this week
All the best for the GF. I can't make it but i will be watching on ABC.
Adrian Charter
Hopefully some of the squad members who dont get run might get one in the final
Can't see how that would work. Probably not the time to bring on new players and there can only be 15 on the team sheet so unlikey to take the risk,
Anonymous @ 10:45.... yer dreaming!
The girls have done well to get to the final. Well done. Let's hope Hooker plays his best squad for once. Put all the Matilda, Young Matilda players on and then you will see some classy football, not the scrappy stuff they played last week.
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