3 minute read
A look at the A-League Women elimination finals where Newcastle beat Western United in extra-time and Central Coast beat Melbourne Victory on penalties.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Sarina Bolden was the reason Newcastle were in the thick of their clash with Western United. The Philippines international scored a wonderful long-range goal to open the scoring and later coolly converted a penalty. She has been a fantastic recruit and is simply box office in the big moments.
KEY STAT: In helping beat her former team Melbourne Victory, Central Coast goalkeeper Casey Dumont maintained her perfect penalty shoot-out record. She has won all of her five ALW penalty shootouts while in the league. Dumont saved two penalties and scored Central Coast's first as the Mariners prevailed 4-2 on spot-kicks, after scores were locked at 0-0 at the end of extra time.
TALKING POINT: Western United weren't happy when Catherine Zimmerman gave them a 2-1 lead against Newcastle, only for the goal to be chalked off for a shirt tug from the striker in the build-up - a delayed decision made after United had celebrated. The league doesn't have VAR and coach Kat Smith queried whether the referee had referenced a replay or the fourth official to make the delayed call.
UNDER PRESSURE: Melbourne Victory were expected to be among the contenders for silverware this season but finished fourth on the table, then suffered an elimination final exit, despite a stellar squad to call upon. They will lick their wounds and hope to keep their talented list together.
BEAT THAT: Melina Ayres is a seriously special player and she stood up when the Jets needed her against Western United. Mindy Barbieri picked out the striker with an incredible ball in extra-time and Ayres scored the winner, with Newcastle going on to prevail 4-2.
THEY SAID IT: "They're doing the job of putting the club on the map and making sure that people know that it's a necessity to have the Newcastle Jets." - Newcastle coach Ryan Campbell hails his players' resilience to beat Western.
WHAT'S NEXT: Newcastle host Melbourne City in the first leg of their semi-final, while Central Coast will welcome Sydney FC up the highway for their opening leg in Gosford.
