Week 15 of the Ninja A-League saw the Sydney Derby at Allianz Stadium. Elsewhere, Melbourne City traveled to Adelaide looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.
However, City were unsuccessful in their pursuit and the race for the Premiers is now wide open again. Their midweek clash with Wester Sydney Wanderers also ended in defeat, allowing Brisbane Roar to move to within one point of the leaders.
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Here’s what happened around the league in the latest round of results.
Brisbane Roar 2-2 Central Coast Mariners
Annalize Rasmussen scored a brace for the Mariners in what proved to be her final goals for the club before leaving for Juventus.
Ashlyn Miller gave the hosts the lead nine minutes into the game. Bente Jansen’s through ball was perfectly weighted and Miller rolled the ball under Annalee Grove.
Rasmussen equalized from the spot five minutes later when she was fouled, sending Chloe Lincoln the wrong way.
In the second half Daisy Brown restored Roar’s lead with a daring 35 yard effort with Grove off her line. This lead lasted barely three minutes as Rasmussen’s 11th goal of the campaign shared the spoils.
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Brisbane Roar returned to winning ways in their midweek clash against Sydney FC, winning 3-1 away. The three points move them within one of Melbourne City at the top.
Adelaide United 2-1 Melbourne City
Adelaide’s first win over Melbourne City in five years kept them in contention for the Premiers Plate.
Fiona Worts gave the Reds the ideal start with a deft finish that looped in Malena Meires. Ella Tonkin then headed in Emily Condon’s corner early in the second half to double the hosts’ advantage.
Leticia McKenna’s driven shot past Ilona Melegh to halve the deficit on 65 minutes. Tonkin was the hero at the other end of the pitch to superbly block Holly McNamara’s effort as City tried in vain to restore parity.
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It was only Adelaide’s second victory over City in their history, with the Melbourne team’s lead at the top reduced. The leaders suffered another blow in their midweek meeting with Western Sydney. The defeat means just one point remains between them and Brisbane Roar.
Sydney FC 2-3 Western Sydney Wanderers
Western Sydney Wanderers claimed their first Sydney Derby victory since 2019 in what proved to be the final match in charge of Sky Blues boss Ange Jurić.
Riley Tanner struck early for the hosts, capping an incisive move through the heart of the Wanderers midfield.
Just before half-time, Amy Chessari’s first Ninja A-League goal brought the teams level. It was well worth the wait – a sensational finish from the edge of the box leaving Tiahna Robertson with no chance.
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Alyssa Ng-Saad gave Western Sydney the lead from close range when Sydney failed to deal with a corner. Cong Yuan’s towering header from Talia Younis’ corner gave the visitors the lead before Amber Luchtmeijer’s smart finish set up a grandstand finish. Geoff Abrahams’ side held on to claim a huge victory.
Canberra United win 3-1 in Melbourne
A second-half scoring frenzy lifted Canberra into third place.
Both teams had chances in the first half, but neither was able to break through. The victory was reduced to ten on the half hour mark when Claudia Bunge received a straight red for bringing down Michelle Heyman.
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Despite the numerical disadvantage, it was Victory who struck first thanks to a brilliant finish from Kennedy White into the top corner.
Sasha Grove equalized for the hosts in the 62nd minute after Josie Aulicino hit the post with her effort. Two minutes later, Mary Stanić-Floody gave Canberra the lead with a magnificent 20-yard strike. Tegan Bertolissio’s header 15 minutes from time sealed the home side’s victory.
Newcastle Jets 1-5 Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix put the rest of the league on notice by demolishing the Jets in Newcastle. A 24-minute blitz in the first half did its damage as the Nix scored four unanswered.
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Pia Vlok opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a clean shot from the edge of the area. The 17-year-old quickly secured a second place with another finish from 20 yards.
Emma Pijnenburg added a third after 20 minutes. Georgia Ritchie in the Jets goal won’t want to see it again as Pijnenburg’s effort eluded her.
Worse was to come for Newcastle as the Phoenix added a fourth through Ellie Walker as the home side completely collapsed.
They steadied the ship, but Vlok completed her hat-trick brilliantly, beating Tash Prior and Charlotte Lancaster before clipping her left foot and firing home.
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Melina Ayers scored 15 minutes from time, but it was only a consolation as Wellington now sit third in the table, two points behind leaders Melbourne City.
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