3 minute read
A snapshot of the 13th round of the A-League Women where history was made for Adelaide and the race for the finals is going down to the wire.
THEY SAID IT: "It means a lot for the players, especially the players who have been here for a long period of time" - Adelaide boss Adrian Stenta after United's 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory ensured they would be playing finals football for the first time.
WOMAN OF THE WEEK: Fiona Worts can't stop scoring and her hat-trick against Victory moved Adelaide up to second on the table. The English striker now has 13 goals in as many games and looks certain to wrap up the Golden Boot. Worts scored two in the first half before putting the result beyond doubt just after half-time.
BEAT THAT: Cortnee Vine bagged two goals in Sydney's 3-1 win over Perth. Vine has been in scintillating form this season and she showed how at ease she is with her game right now when she opened her account. The forward latched onto a ball, ran deep into the Glory half and chipped goalkeeper Courtney Newbon with nonchalant ease.
STAT ATTACK: Melbourne Victory striker Maja Markovski was forced to go in goal late in Victory's loss to Adelaide when Casey Dumont went down injured. With all their subs used up, Markovski donned the gloves in the dying stages. But the young Victory forward isn't the first player in her family to be forced in goal. Her uncle John went in goals for Marconi in a 6-0 loss against Melbourne Croatia in 1990.
TALKING POINT: The race for the finals is going right down to the wire. Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory are the two sides hoping to seal the last spot. Victory are in the box seat and are two points ahead of Perth, needing just a draw against Canberra to secure their place in the top four. Perth need Victory to lose and would need to beat Wellington if they are to play beyond next week. Both sides kick off at the same time on Friday.
UNDER PRESSURE: After starting the season with plenty of promise Newcastle have fallen without a trace in recent weeks. Ash Wilson's side haven't won a game in 2022. They have just two wins this season - both coming against newcomers Wellington - and the 3-0 loss to Canberra on Friday means they haven't tasted victory in seven straight games.
UP NEXT: Melbourne City face Newcastle on Tuesday before the finals shootout between Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory on Friday. Victory face Canberra and Glory take on Wellington. Newcastle also play Brisbane on Friday. Western Sydney wrap up their season against Melbourne City on Saturday and Adelaide host Sydney on Sunday.
